Second Chance Scandal

“Now I want to watch a movie with you more than I did before.”

“Okay.”

“Is that a yes, okay, or a go fuck yourself, okay?”

My eyes widened. I wasn’t much for swearing. “The first one.”

“For a second I thought Jay Gatsby was suddenly my competition.”

“You know Jay Gatsby?”

“I’ve read almost every book in this library.”

I quirked a brow. I wasn’t expecting him to reveal that. “You have?”

“How else do you think these books got here?”

“Oh.”

“Oh?” He arched an eyebrow. “You think I don’t know how to read?”

“Well,” I teased. “You are a jock.”

He laughed, big and throaty again. “Cute.”

How one word could make my stomach toss and turn was beyond me.

“I actually enjoy reading.”

“Me too. It’s pretty much my hobby.”

“I can see that. You’re always in here.”

“Oh,” I breathed out as the anxiousness rose from my chest into my throat. “I’m sorry if I’m in your space. I asked your mom, and she said I cou—”

“You talked to my mother?”

“Yes. I’d never come into your home, let alone one of the rooms without asking for permission first.”

“Does this house feel like a home to you, Sophie?”

I wasn’t shocked by his abrupt tone. I hadn’t met his father, so it was easy to assume it had something to do with him not being around.

When I asked my mom about him, she said he worked a lot. Then she reminded me to stay out of their house unless I was reading in their library, and even then she preferred that I read in the guesthouse.

She was constantly telling me to stay out of their way and to stay away from Jax. She said he was trouble.

I couldn’t help myself, I wanted to get to know him in a way I didn’t think anyone did. Feeling daring, I threw his question back at him, “Does this house not feel like a home to you?”

If he was surprised by my question, he didn’t show it. “It’s just a house, Sophie.”

“Is that a yes?”

“It’s not a no.”

“Is it because your dad isn’t around?” I regretted the question as soon as it flew out of my mouth. “I’m sorry.” Shaking my head, I added, “You don’t have to answer that. It’s none of my business.”

“So tell me, Soph? Do you make it a habit to apologize for things you don’t have to?”