This is Reckless (Checkmate Duet 3)

Mia leans over and whispers in my ear. “Are you ready to go?”

Courtney picks up James and holds him in her arms. She whispers something to Viola who cracks up laughing.

“Yeah,” I whisper back. “Let’s get out of here.”

“Whoa, where are you two headed?” Mom asks when we both stand.

I glance over at Mia and wrap my arm around her. “We’ve got some things to do.”

Viola looks pissed that we’re leaving but doesn’t say a word. Travis gives us a head nod, and we turn and walk out hand in hand. I don’t dare look at Courtney. Once we’re to the truck, Mia climbs in and scoots close to me then places her hand on my thigh. It’s the closest we’ve been in weeks—hell, in months.

“I was ready to go as soon as we arrived. Boring! And your sister with that itinerary…pfft, please.” She laughs as I start the truck and head home.

I glance over at her, ready to say something, but she leans her head against my shoulder, and I forget about it.

“I want to snuggle.”

“Yeah?” I can’t help but smile.

“That’s not code for anything,” she adds.

We make small talk on the way home, and as we pull into the driveway, I turn and look at her. This ‘no sex’ rule she came up with is ridiculous considering how long we’ve been together, but I’ll go along with it for as long as I have to. I lean over and give her a kiss, and she places the palm of her hand on my cheek.

“Let’s watch a movie,” I suggest.

“Here?” She scrunches her nose, and I tap it with my finger.

“Come on. I’ll let you choose.”

After we walk inside, I rummage through Courtney’s DVDs and name them off until Mia agrees to one. She chooses Mean Girls, which I’m not really pleased with, but I don’t argue about it. I turn off the lights, turn on the surround sound, and grab a blanket. Once we’re comfortable, Mia leans into my arms, and I hold her as we watch this stupid-ass movie. It takes everything I have not to fall asleep because I’m so comfortable.

Before the movie ends, I hear the Jeep pull into the driveway, and my eyes bolt open. The best thing I can do is keep Courtney and Mia away from each other.

“Babe,” I say. “Let’s go to my room.”

“But the movie isn’t over yet,” she whines.

I let out a calm breath as soon as the door bolts open. Courtney turns on all the lights and pretends we’re invisible. Going straight to the kitchen, she makes all sorts of noise opening plastic wrappers, opening and closing the fridge, and cabinets.

Mia looks up at me and groans. I kiss her on the forehead before getting up and going into the kitchen.

“We’re trying to watch a movie.” I stand in the doorway as Courtney mixes a preworkout drink together. Yeah, she’s pissed. Pissed enough to go for a run.

“Mean Girls? Ironic since you’re sitting next to the real-life Regina George,” she whispers, pointing to the living room where Mia is waiting.

I take a few steps toward her, keeping my voice low. “Are you going to tell me what’s crawled in your ass and died?”

We’re inches apart. I can feel her breath brush against my face as anger radiates from her. She hasn’t been this mad in a long time.

“You’re my problem, Drew.” She looks like she’s about to punch me in the face or push me away from her. I’m not sure which one it is yet.

“What are you two doing?” Mia asks, noticing how close Courtney and I are. Courtney wraps her arms around me and gives me a big, tight, angry hug, and I instinctively hug her back.

“Just telling my best friend how much I’ve missed him.” Courtney flashes a wide grin.

Mia narrows her eyes, groans, and then storms out.

I release my hold on Courtney and glare at her.

“What?”

“Real nice, Court.” I turn away and follow Mia to my bedroom.

“What the hell, Drew? I need to know the truth. I need to know if you secretly have a thing for her.”

I actually laugh. “Not at all. The only person I have a thing for is you.”

“I see the way you look at her.”

“Really? Please enlighten me, Mia.” I hate arguing with her. I especially hate arguing with her over Courtney because Mia always wants me to choose sides, although she’s the only one that has my heart and has for years. This is exactly what I wanted to avoid today, but I suppose it was inevitable. It’s just the kind of relationship we have.

“You look at her like she’s a piece of cake or something.” Mia is furious.

“And you know I don’t like cake, so there you go. I’m not going to explain this to you again, Mia. We’re just friends. We’ll always be just friends. There’s nothing romantic between us at all. I don’t know how I can be more clear about this.”