Bonham (Pushing Daisies Book 3) by Heather Young-Nichols (the little red hen read aloud txt) 📗

Van had taken to calling Lawson “King Bossy” anytime he made a decision that affected Van and Lexi.

“How about this,” I said to a pouting Lexi. “I’ll see what she’s doing tonight and if she’s available, I’ll have her over. That way, you can do whatever bonding girls do.”

“Hair, makeup, and pillow fights.” Lexi ticked the items off her fingers one by one.

“Ah, fuck yes.” Van was suddenly paying close attention and becoming very excited.

“Uh, fuck no,” I countered. “Think about it.”

It took him a minute, but he got there. Van might not have hated the idea of seeing his girlfriend and mine in a pillow fight, but he sure as fuck wouldn’t like the idea of me seeing his girlfriend in a pillow fight with anyone.

“Yeah.” He sighed. “You’re right. We’ll just have to have our own pillow fight.”

I shook my head and went back to my bedroom to change. Once I did that, I made myself some eggs for breakfast and sat with Van and Lexi for a bit. It wasn’t until almost lunch that I called Jurnie to see if she was free tonight. Yeah, maybe I was overdoing it by seeing her every day, but I only had the week and I’d make the most of it. She said she had some schoolwork to do this afternoon but was free after that. I’d almost forgotten that she was taking a couple of summer classes. I couldn’t get in the way of that.

Instead, I spent the afternoon cleaning my room like I hadn’t cleaned it in a while. Then I placed an order for food for the four of us that I’d pick up after I got her. She’d offered to drive over, but since I wanted to take her home later, I insisted on picking her up.

The four of us spread Chinese food out on the coffee table of the apartment and started a movie. The women had decided on a romantic comedy, but Van and I didn’t care. This was the first time we’d both had a girlfriend since Lexi was his first. It was new and we were going to enjoy it.

I didn’t know if Jurnie considered her my girlfriend but I did and I’d have to talk to her about that at some point.

“You should love rom coms,” Jurnie told me as the movie started. “We basically had a meet cute that would be romantic comedy gold.”

“Your meeting is the cutest thing I’ve ever heard,” Lexi said when Jurnie was finished.

We spent the time eating and laughing at the funny parts. Then we started a second movie, but I thought the girls talked more than watched. Neither Van nor I gave a shit. We were just happy they were getting along. The nightmare would’ve been for us each to fall in love and the women we loved not get along. He and I had been together literally our entire existence. We couldn’t have girlfriends or wives in the future who couldn’t stand each other. That would put too much strain on all of us.

When Jurnie and I had arrived earlier, we’d had food and everyone had been hungry, so we’d gone right into the living room to set up. I showed her where the bathroom was between movies, but that was it. After the second movie, Lexi and Van disappeared after saying goodnight.

“Should you take me home?” she asked once they were out of earshot.

“No. Why?” I asked. Unless she wanted to go home. “I mean, I will if you want me to, of course.”

She shook her head and snuggled down into me more. “Lexi and Van went to bed. I don’t want to be rude.”

“Girl, please. No. They’re leaving for Chicago in the morning for a few days. That’s the only reason they’re even going to bed.”

“Oh, right. Chicago to see her family.”

“Yup. So you can stay as long as you want. All night if that’s what you’d prefer.”

She groaned and dropped her head back. “If I stay without giving my parents notice, things will be uncomfortable for me. I’m sorry.”

“Not a problem. Maybe you should give some notice for tomorrow.”

She did the thing where she played with the hem of her shirt, which meant she was nervous. “I really have to do some more schoolwork tomorrow. I’m sorry. It’s just the summer courses are condensed and we’re basically at midterm. My class is online, but—”

I kissed her to keep her from talking. “That’s fine, Jurnie. I don’t want to mess up your school stuff. What about dinner? Will you be breaking for dinner?”

“Yes, but I’d be really busy. I’m sorry. It’s a study group and I put it together, so I really should show up.”

“Absolutely. Could I just snag you for like an hour to have dinner? Or lunch? Whatever works for you.”

“Yes. Dinner would be great. I’m supposed to go to church with my parents in the morning. I don’t go much anymore, but they pressured me to put it on the calendar. Then I’ll go to study group. I could get away for an hour at six. Is that too late?”

“It’s never too late.” I kissed her again. “What about Monday?”

“To stay over?” I nodded. “That would work.”

I didn’t think I needed to say what my plan was for Monday night because she sure as hell didn’t need to tell me what her plan was. It flashed through her eyes as soon as I said spend the night.

“Want to see my room?” I asked her. It might’ve sounded corny, but I wasn’t going to take her in there if she didn’t want to go.

“Show me.” There were so many possibilities behind those words.

I took her by the hand and headed straight to my bedroom. Hopefully, she missed the quiet moans coming from Van’s room. We had the bathroom between us so that was usually enough.

“This is it,” I told her.

My room was nothing special. Gray walls with a bed, dresser, TV on the wall. A small area where I