“Oh God,” I whispered, turning around. The screen was lit up from a message. “I’m being such an idiot.”

I made my way back to the phone. As expected, the text was from Reece. Seven words—­only seven words—­and my lips split into a giant, goofy smile.

Hey babe, was just thinking of u.

Clutching the phone, I took several deep breaths. I was thinking of u too. My cheeks heated, because my response sounded so corny when his was all swoony.

The reply was almost immediate. Of course u were.

I laughed at his cockiness and felt my stomach dip again, because I knew what I had to do. I needed to talk to him before any of this went further.

Before I could respond, another text came through. & I really was just thinking abt u. Guess what I was doing while I was thinking abt u?

My eyes widened as I typed back Oh my.

There was a pause. Is that too real to admit that?

No. And I shook my head and sent back No.

Good, came the quick reply. Followed by Glad to know u don’t think I’m a pervert.

Nah, I still think ur a pervert.

A hot one at least?

I laughed out loud at that. Definitely a hot one. I waited a whole second and then sent, I think my house is haunted.

What?

The tips of my ears burned, and I wished I could somehow unsend that text. Never mind. I’m being stupid. Are u free tonight?

There was a pause before his response, which caused my stomach to twist. Got to work 2night, but I’m all yours 2morrow if u’ll have me.

Is that a joke? I typed back. Doing that stupid smile thing, I allowed myself a hobble and a shimmy before I added Tomorrow wld be perfect.

We exchanged a ­couple of more texts, deciding on meeting at my place around seven in the evening. He was going to bring food, and maybe I should go get some wine since I was probably going to need some liquid courage and something, in case it went bad, to drown my tears in.

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

“You know, I’d expect one of your brothers to do something like that, because damn, sometimes those boys have shit for brains.”

Sitting on the edge of my recliner, I winced as my father passed in front of my couch. This was not how I expected my Monday morning to go, but I wasn’t surprised. Somehow, my parents hadn’t heard about me, the book of doom, and Henry’s windshield. Today was obviously reckoning day, and I’d called and told my mom what I’d done.

Thirty minutes later, my father showed up.