Page 74 of Wrong For Me

There’s such a loud cacophony of voices from the computer that I can’t even follow it. I’m halfway tempted to peek over her shoulder to see how many people have managed to crowd into this call, but I’m pretty sure Rose would kill me if her family saw me. And it’s obviously her family that she’s talking to—I can tell from the way her entire face is lit up, from how perfectly comfortable she looks as she listens to them all chatter.

Instead of trying to get a glimpse of her computer screen, I do my best to ignore whatever is happening on her side of the room (particularly the view of her legs) and start to get ready for bed, slipping out of my shoes and rummaging through my bag for my cell phone charger—the damn thing still refuses to keep a charge.

But it’s hard to ignore the conversation when it’s so loud. “My mom thought it was awesome, obviously,” one of the girls is saying. “Dad…yeah. That’s another story.”

“I think Uncle Reed cried,” another girls says, and there’s a chorus of laughter. “He was going on and on about how she’s still his baby and there’s no way she’s old enough to get a nose ring.”

“He tried to punch Will,” a younger male voice says. “Since she went to his shop to have it done. His face was like, beet red. It was awesome.”

“He didn’t try to punch me,” a gruff male voice says. “He was just—seriously, whatareyou looking at, Rose?”

I look up from folding the sweater I just pulled off to see Rose staring at me, her mouth slightly agape. I raise my eyebrows, then tilt my head towards her computer, reminding her that she’s in the middle of a call.

Her face goes beet red as she swings it back to the camera. “Nothing,” she squeaks.

“Why are you all flushed?”

“You’re like, drooling.”

“Is your gentleman caller getting naked or something?”

“What?” Rose yelps. “No. Of course not. There’s no gentleman caller. Who even says that?”

“Well,something’sgoing on,” a voice insists.

Rose casts one more look at my undershirt-clad chest, almost like she can’t help herself, and scowls when she sees me smirking. She was totally checking me out and it was obvious enough for her family to notice, too. I like that way more than I should.

“You’re doing it again!”

“I have to go,” Rose suddenly says in a rush. “I uh, have to be up early.”

There’s an outcry at that. Jesus, how she can hear anyone with that many people talking at once?

Rose is trying to talk over them, speaking fast. “I love you guys. Miss you. The nose ring looks great, Presley. Uncle Reed will come around.”

“Rose!” several voices call.

“My internet reception is going out,” she calls out, smiling sweetly. “Talk to you later. Bye!”

She slams her laptop closed, breathing hard. “They’re the nosiest, most obnoxious…” she mutters, running a hand over her eyes. Finally, she looks up at me and gives me a sheepish smile. “Sorry about that. I had hoped we’d be done before you came back.”

“It’s no problem.” And then, because I can’t help myself, I add, “sorry I distracted you. Taking my sweater off and everything.”

The sheepish smile turns to a scowl. “You didn’t. I was just…”

“Enthralled by my good looks and strong physique?” I suggest when she doesn’t seem to be able to finish her sentence.

She rolls her eyes. “At least your self-confidence is healthy.”

“Says the girl lounging around in those shorts,” I mutter to myself as I head to the bathroom to get ready for bed. No way she doesn’t know how insanely hot she looks. If she plans to wear that kind of thing to bed every night we’re here, I’m going to be in some serious pain.

I change into a pair of sweats then brush my teeth. By the time I come back out into the room, Rose is under the covers, all the lights except the lamp between our beds turned off. I don’t know if I should be relieved or disappointed by that. I miss the sight of her long, tanned legs already.

“Do you, um, want to watch TV or something?” I ask, feeling suddenly awkward as I climb into my own bed.

“No, I’m good. But you can turn it on if you want.”

“I think I’ll just read for a minute. If the light’s not bothering you?” I chance a glance over at her bed to see her all bundled up, the covers pulled right to her chin. Fucking adorable.