Zip, Zero, Zilch (The Reed Brothers 6)

“Why is she here?”

“Emily and Logan had somewhere they needed to go.” She avoids my gaze.

“Where?”

She shrugs, but Kit stirs and she holds her breath. Kit’s eyes fly open and she pushes up on her arms. Kit’s cheeks are red and her face is damp and shiny where she’s been drooling. Peck wipes her neck with her sleeve and grimaces.

“If she becomes nice just because you’re here, I might have to throw you out the window. Just sayin’.”

Kit grins at me and holds her arms out, so I take her and sit down with her on the other end of the couch. She sticks out a finger to point at Peck.

“I think she’s hexing me,” Peck grumbles.

“She likes you,” I tell her. “She just doesn’t know you well enough yet. She’ll learn.”

Kit has blond hair and blue eyes like Logan, and her two little hair bows are skewed from sleeping on my girlfriend.

“That’s my girlfriend,” I tell her.

Peck’s eyes widen. “Is that what I am?” But she’s smiling and blushing a little, so I think she’s okay with my declaration.

“Yep. That’s what you are.” A grin tips the corners of my lips. “I feel like I should be passing you a note in class, one all folded up tight. Will you be my girlfriend? Check yes or no.”

Peck gets up on her knees and leans over me, pressing a quick kiss against my lips. “I would check the yes box,” she tells me.

Kit rears back and slaps the side of her face.

“No!” I scold. And Kit’s eyes fill up with tears.

“Oh, crap. You broke it,” Peck mutters. She picks up a toy and shakes it in Kit’s face, and Kit climbs from my lap to Peck’s and starts to play. That’ll last about thirty seconds, I figure.

“Where did you say Logan and Emily went?”

“I didn’t.” She sets Kit on the floor with her toy and gets up to get a drink. She comes back with two and hands me one. “How was your day?” she asks.

“It was fine.” I’m not even going to tell her about how I’m planning to handle her mom’s situation with Bone. I’d rather just do it and tell her about it later. It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

I pat my pocket. I’m saving the ring for the right time.

I roll my shoulders. “I’m sore from today’s workout with the trainer.”

“Want me to rub your shoulders?” she asks.

I pull her to lie across me and kiss her forehead. “Maybe later.”

She’s quiet for a few minutes as Kit plays on the floor, and then she suddenly whispers, “You know, I’m leaving in two days. Six whole weeks away on tour.”

I squeeze her a little tighter. “I know. I hate it.” I lift her a little so I can look into her face. “Any chance your period will be done before you leave?” I whisper in her ear.

She tucks her face into my chest. I can feel her words, hot through my T-shirt. “Probably not.”

I nudge her. “Are you blushing?”

She nods, her nose brushing my side.

“How many boyfriends have you had?”

She stiffens in my arms. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m just curious.” I shake my head. “You don’t have to tell me.”

“Define boyfriend.” She sits up, pushing her hair back behind her ear as she leans back on the other end of the couch. I lift her foot and pull it into my lap.

“Someone you hung out with, had meals with, spent time with, who was probably a man. With a penis.”

“Well, I’d hope a man would have a penis.” She grins.

I tug her toe until she squeals.

“Not many, if you’re really curious. My numbers are pretty low.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “I wasn’t talking about sex.”

“What’s the difference?”

“We haven’t had sex yet, and I consider you to be my girlfriend.”

“What we’re doing…” She motions from me to her and back. “…I’ve never done this before.”

My heart swells a little, and I find it hard to take a deep breath all of a sudden. “Really?”

She nods.

“Good, because I feel the same way.”

She blushes.

Suddenly, there’s a knock on the door. Kit’s head pops up and she runs toward it. “Ma ma ma ma ma,” she babbles.

I pick her up and hold her while I open the door. Logan stands up a little straighter when he sees me. “What are you doing here?” he asks.

“I live here.” I lean in the doorway. “Did you forget something here? Your keys, maybe?” I look down at Kit. “Oh!” I cry. “You forgot your kid.”

He claps his hands and Kit jumps into his arms.

They walk in long enough to gather her things from all over the place, get her dressed, and then they get ready to leave. Logan is acting funny, and I have no idea why.

“You okay?” I ask him.

He nods. “We need to get home. We still have to finish packing.”

Emily hugs Peck and they huddle together for a second. I hear the words tomorrow and it’ll be fine.

“What’s happening tomorrow?” I ask, as I follow them to the door.

Emily looks up at Logan and prompts him with her eyes.

“Nothing,” he mumbles.

He flashes me the I love you sign and leans over so Kit can give me a kiss, and then he walks away.