This is Love by (Checkmate Duet 2)

“So? Someone want to tell me what’s going on?”

“I’m seeing a guy at school, Drew, so just calm down,” she says before I can even get in a word. She says it so genuinely that I would almost believe her if I didn’t know any better.

“Who?”

“You don’t know him. Just some guy in my chem class.” She stabs her fork into the pasta and takes a bite.

“I thought you took chem last year?” he asks, narrowing his eyes at her.

I see her throat move as she swallows and I can tell she’s nervous. I feel like I should say something, but I don’t want to make Drew more suspicious than he already is.

“I did. That’s when I met him.”

She’s blushing, but thankfully Drew doesn’t notice.

“Well, what’s his name?”

“Whose?”

“The guy you’re seeing?”

Without thinking, I blurt out the first name that comes to mind. “Toby.” I squeeze my eyes closed and curse to myself. “He’s kind of quiet.”

She doesn’t make eye contact with him as she picks at her food.

“You mean a dork?” I speak up, breaking the awkward tension.

She glares at me right on cue, and I wink in her direction. “If by dork, you mean has a higher IQ than you can count, then yes.”

I release a cough to choke back the laugh that threatens to release. Fuck, she’s good—always throwing shit right back at me.

“Isn’t Courtney’s boyfriend named Toby?” Drew asks, breaking the spell between us.

“Uh, yeah. Well, he was. They broke up a while ago.” She grabs her phone, and her fingers begin flying over the screen. “Actually I was going to invite her over to meet Gryff, if you don’t mind.”

Drew shrugs, his mind suddenly occupied, and I want to high-five Viola for her quick, witty answers.

We finish eating in silence, and I watch as Viola feeds Gryff scraps off her plate. Her phone dings with messages from Courtney. Using her to sidetrack Drew was brilliant on Viola’s part—another reason to reward her later.

Just as we’re cleaning up the table, Courtney walks in and immediately squeals when she sees the puppy.

“Oh, my God!” She bends down and picks him up. “He’s so cute!”

“I told you!” Viola beams.

“I just want to smother my face in his fur!”

“Quit making it weird, Court.” Viola laughs and leads them both into the living room, leaving Drew and me alone in the kitchen.

“So, this thing with Mia is really bothering you, huh?” I try and make small talk because I’m not really sure if he wants to talk about her or not.

“Yeah, I have a feeling it’s something bad. Did she say anything to you that night?”

“Well, actually, there’s something I’ve been torn about telling you or not, but I figured it was best to let Mia tell you instead.”

“Fuck, man. I don’t know if I can wait that long. I can’t focus on anything.”

Before I can respond, Courtney lets out a loud laugh, directing us both toward the living room. I watch Drew’s facial expression soften, and I know he could use a good distraction right now.

“I’m going to the pet store to pick out some toys and food for Gryff. He’ll probably need something to do while you’re at school,” I say to Viola as I head toward the door, hoping she catches the hint.

I take a step behind Drew and nod my head toward him and then once again at Courtney. Viola picks it up right away and scrambles to stand up quickly.

“It’s my dog, and I want to spoil him, too.”

I lift an eyebrow at her and almost forget that we’re not alone. “If you want to come, I’ll allow it.”

She smirks at my innuendo. “I do, and I’ll drive.”

VIOLA

C: Did you seriously invite me over just to leave me alone with your brother?!

“She sounds pissed,” Travis says, laughing as he reads her messages on my phone. “What should I respond?”

“Tell her to take the opportunity and seduce him.”

“I’m not writing that,” he deadpans. “I’ll tell her to send a tit pic.”

Laughing, I reach over and grab my phone from his hand. “Shut up. She’ll be fine.”

Once we arrive at the pet store, Travis grabs Gryff’s leash and leads us inside. We pick out a handful of chew toys, treats, dog food, and a little bed.

“You know he’ll probably never sleep in that,” I tell him as we check out.

“Why not?”

“He’s a puppy! He’s going to want to sleep next to a warm body.”

“I’d prefer your warm body.”

“I’m sure he’ll let you spoon him when I’m gone.”

“Okay, fine. But I’m calling dibs on being the big spoon.”

We walk out of the store with a large bag of dog food and two bags filled with toys and treats. “Hand me your keys,” Travis says, holding his hand out. I dangle them in front of him, and he grabs them before I can pull away. “Nice try, princess. Now I get to drive the Prissy Prius.”