Kiss and Break Up (Magnolia Cove, #1)(68)

“Dash, shut the fuck up and open the door.”

I sighed, unlatching the chain, then returned to my sanctuary on the bed.

“Wow, nice digs,” Raven said, and I scowled, not realizing he’d joined the Dash-has-gone-missing express. “I’m digging the fungus over there.”

“So’s your mom.”

Lars chuckled. “Can’t be too messed up if he’s making cracks about your mom.”

“Room 66?” Jackson drawled. “You’re missing a six.”

I kicked my feet up, uncaring I was only wearing a T-shirt and briefs. Their fault for intruding. “We have imaginations for a reason, stickler.”

“Nice thighs. You work them quads, baby?” Raven waggled his brows.

I fought the temptation to tug at my briefs. “I already told you, Larry. I’m fucking straight.”

Raven played for both teams and gave zero fucks what anyone thought about it.

It didn’t bother me, so long as he didn’t go making out with any dudes all up in my space.

Raven sighed, perching on the edge of the forty-year-old laminate desk. “I knew a Larry once.”

“Who cares? Can we just grab him and leave?” Jackson peered around. “This place is fucking depressing.” He sniffed, then raised his shirt to his nose, mumbling behind the cotton. “And it smells like moldy feet.”

“Lay off my sanctuary. It’s been my trusty companion this past week.” I opened a bag of Doritos, popping one into my mouth and crunching. “Unlike you shit-stains.”

Jackson guffawed. “How the fuck were we supposed to know you were holed up in some musty ass hotel like a beaten down, wounded pussy?”

Lars nodded, stealing my bag of chips. “And let’s not forget the world doesn’t revolve around you, asshole. We all have our own problems.”

I scowled as he shoved a handful of my chips inside his mouth, then smirked. “How is the new wife?”

“She’s not my wife,” he said, coughing and spraying orange crumbs all over the floor.

“Fucking gross.” Raven laughed.

Lars flipped him off.

“She’s not … yet.” I tucked my arms behind my head. “You’ll need to put a ring on that eventually.”

“Easy, Dash,” Jackson warned. He might have made himself out to be the softhearted one out of all of us, but he was the most conniving, by far. The only difference between us was that he thought things through a little better, rather than acting on impulse.

A trait I wished I’d had. I’d give him that much but nothing else. I didn’t have anything left to give anyway. “Why?” I glared at Lars. “Fight me.”

He rolled his eyes, and I laughed. “Another time. I’ve got places to be. Can we jet?”

“Sure you can. I’ll see you guys never.”

“Who gets your bikes?” Raven asked, his eyes glinting. “If you’re not coming back, someone needs to use them.”

“Lars because he’s the broke one and he’ll be even poorer soon.”

Jackson coughed, trying to smother his laughter.

“Thanks, man.” Lars nodded.

“You’re welcome. Now feel free to leave whenever.” I reached for the remote. “I’ve gotta find out if Maria ends up marrying Stephan or if Giovanni breaks up the wedding.”

“You’re kidding.” Jackson turned to watch the tiny TV come to life.

Raven jumped onto the bed, kicking his Vans covered feet to the mustard duvet. “I’m down.”

We fist bumped, then I yanked a fresh bag of chips from the nightstand and ignored the glares from the other two silent sentinels in the room.

“What have you told your parents?” Lars asked.

I sighed, hitting pause. “That I’m in mourning, and I’ll be home when I’m not.” So probably never.

“Mourning?” Raven asked.

“Over what could’ve been.” I felt like adding duh but refrained.

Lars’s brows rose. “They’re okay with that?”

“Not exactly. Dad thinks I’m joking. Mom’s just glad to know I’m alive.”

Jackson laughed again, then threw his hands into the air. “Come on, he’s fine, and clearly content to be a high school dropout who lives in a mite-infested hotel. Let’s bail.”

Lars followed him to the door, but Raven looked torn. “I can’t believe you’ve just been allowed to stay here.”

I couldn’t either, but I had a feeling I only had a few more days before my dad found me and hauled me home. I planned to make the most of it before that happened.

Lars rapped the doorjamb, wincing as some of the paint flaked off it. “Look, we know you fucked it all up with Peggy.” I waited, tense and ready to launch the remote at his head. “But lying around here isn’t going to make her forgive you.”

She’d never forgive me, but I was hoping she’d at least miss me. Maybe come and find me to make sure I was alive, then she’d hopefully melt and let me kiss the life from her. That was getting a bit sappy, but I didn’t care. I’d do sappy for Peggy. I’d do sappy, and it’d be as easy as breathing for Peggy.

“Nice chat. Bye now.”