Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 140184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 701(@200wpm)___ 561(@250wpm)___ 467(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 701(@200wpm)___ 561(@250wpm)___ 467(@300wpm)
“How was school?” he finally asks.
“Long. Stupid. Annoying. Exhausting.” Remembering he also had school today, I flick a glance at him and return, “How were your classes?”
“Better than that,” he says with a smirk. “This Kimberly girl in my first class of the day has a massive crush on me, so she tends to bring me goodies. Today, she brought me coffee and a breakfast sandwich.”
I can’t tell if he’s looking for a reaction out of me or not bringing up some girl that likes him. “Did you tell Kimberly if she wants your attention, she better get herself a boyfriend first?”
He smirks. “No. That could easily be misinterpreted.”
I smile faintly, looking down the island at his younger brother. “Jet knows all about that. How are things with Brylee? I haven’t asked lately.”
“You’ve been a little preoccupied,” he acknowledges. “I don’t think it’s going to work out with Brylee. I’m focused on another project right now, and she wasn’t really biting. I’m also reevaluating the long-term ramifications of getting her attention this way. Even if I got her attention, could I keep it? I’m not sure we’re compatible, and that’s vital for a happy, enduring relationship.”
I nod, slathering garlic butter over the tops of the sandwiches. “I think that’s a mature way of looking at it. I never really understood what you saw in her, anyway.”
“I approached it pretty simply. I haven’t had much exposure to serious romantic relationships since I was young. I’m embarrassed to say I thought attraction was enough, and if I manipulated the circumstances to capture her interest, the rest would fall into place. This weekend has been an eye-opener.”
I pause with my brush suspended over the last slider. It’s hard not to feel like my life is a sample in his Petri dish when he words it that way.
“Glad I could be of service, I guess.”
“You’ve certainly awoken my interest in the behavioral sciences. I had a cursory knowledge before, of course, but I want to do a thorough analysis and learn more about the dynamics. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d love to ask you a few personal questions when you’re feeling up to it.”
“What kind of questions?” I ask warily.
Seeing where this is going and apparently not approving of the destination, Jonathan cuts in. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Jet.”
Jet doesn’t pay his brother a bit of attention. Gaze locked on me, he answers, “A few things. First, I’m wondering about your stance on forgiveness.”
My hackles rise. “Forgiveness?” He nods. “Unless you’re looking to have your sliders poisoned, I would be very careful about who you’re about to tell me I need to forgive.”
Jet cracks a smile. “No, that’s not what I meant. I’m not trying to influence you one way or another. I just want your opinion. Parent-child relationships are complex and often endure far past the point of toxicity. It’s illogical, but people are emotional creatures before they learn to be rational, and many never develop that far. Do you think you’d ever forgive your mom or want to fix your relationship with her?”
My skin heats. “Absolutely not.”
“Jet,” Jonathan says, warning in his tone.
“That’s the only one about that,” he assures him since we’re both testy about it. “I also wanted to ask whether pregnancy would influence you to be more interested in attempting a relationship with Jonathan, despite your clear incompatibilities.”
My mouth drops open.
“That’s enough, Jet,” Jonathan snaps.
Jet’s gaze flickers to his brother. “It was just a question.”
“It’s a rude fucking question. Our lives are not one of your science experiments.”
“I was just—”
“Get the fuck out of here before I forget you’re my brother and dunk your head in a goddamn toilet,” Jonathan says irritably.
“But Kennedy’s making food.”
“I’ll let you know when it’s done,” Jonathan says immovably.
“You’re really kicking me out of the kitchen?”
“I really fucking am,” Jonathan states.
Jet shakes his head and gathers his things, muttering about how he needs to get started on his homework, anyway.
Even though Jet was treating me like a test subject, I felt a little better when he was in the room. Especially after what he just said and who he said it in front of.
God, how awkward.
“He’s a pain in the ass sometimes,” Jonathan says by way of apology.
I shrug, cracking a smile. “All the Granville men are, just in different ways.” I cut him a sideways look as I take the tray to the oven. “I’m used to it at this point.”
I expect him to lob back an assholey comment or at least say something extremely inappropriate, but his mind must be elsewhere because he misses the chance.
When I close the oven and turn back to face him, I see his brow furrowed and a troubled glint in his eye. “What he said about the whole pregnancy thing… Have you still not…?”