That Thing Called Love by Susan Andersen

Author:Susan Andersen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction
ISBN: 9780373776917
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2012-07-29T14:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“NOLAN’S ALL PISSED OFF at me.”

Austin lowered his joystick and looked at Bailey, who sat beside him on the couch where they’d been whiling away Sunday afternoon playing “Grand Theft Auto.” She’d been subdued since she’d arrived on his doorstep and apparently this was the reason why. “How come?”

“Because I get to go out when he doesn’t? Because I get to see you? Got to go to the Mariners game?” Her chin wobbled. “Because I breathe?”

Oh, shit. Please, God, don’t let her cry!

He didn’t know if his prayer was heard or she was simply a warrior, but whatever the reason, she firmed up her chin, drew a deep breath and turned her head to look at him. “Aunt Rebecca says it’s because he has cabin fever and he’s jealous that we’re having fun without him. That he can’t help feeling that way and to be patient with him. But he’s always been my favorite cousin and I hate it that he’s mad at me!”

“Aw, man!” A clammy concrete-gray load of guilt dumped down on him. “This is my fault, not yours. I haven’t exactly knocked myself out to make him feel better since his mom told me about his chicken pox. I mean, I’ve texted him and all, but except for one online game of ‘Call of Duty,’ I sure haven’t gone out of my way.” Because I’ve been too busy enjoying having you all to myself. “I’m a crappy friend.”

“No, you’re not. Heck, I don’t know if it would’ve made a difference if you had knocked yourself out. I’ve played cards and video games with him, but he’s dumping on me anyway.”

“It’s probably like his mom said, though—I know I’d go nuts if I was stuck inside all the time.” Then he brightened. “But you know what? It’s not too late to do something. Let’s go!”

“Where?” she asked even as she rose to her feet and followed him to his room.

She really was the best, because she didn’t do the usual talk, talk, talk thing like so many girls. Instead, she stood silently in the doorway while he rooted through the mess on his little desk and on the floor. He shot her a glance over his shoulder. “Grab my small pack off the back of the door.”

She did and he waved her over to the bed where he’d unloaded his booty. She brought the pack over and held the top open.

“Okay, we’ve got a couple rockin’ DVDs, a few comic books, the newest Pendragon book that I’m pretty sure he hasn’t seen yet and my—wait for it...” He held up the board he’d mounted with different size and shape echinoderms. “Awesome dried starfish collection.”

“You’re kidding me. You collect dead sea critters?”

“Hell, yeah. And Nolan’s been trying to get his hands on them since we were, like, in fifth grade. There was no way. But now—” He stopped and shrugged. “Now is sort of an emergency. Getting them there might be an issue, though—these babies are fragile. Huh.

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