Chapter Thirteen

I pulled out my phone, texting Briana.

Scarlett: I'm ready when you are.

I glanced at the door, touching my throat where Oliver's mouth had been. I need a drink.

Briana: Yes! I'm ready to get my drink on!

Scarlett: Same. I'll drive over in a minute.

Just as I sent the text, Mom called me. "Scarlett, get up here now! I have to talk to you."

Oh shit... she knows, doesn't she? My pulse quickened. I rubbed my forehead. Stop overthinking it. She couldn't have heard unless she was near his door.

"What, Mom? I'm getting ready to go to Briana's."

"No! Not before I speak to you. Get up here. Meet me in the kitchen."

God damn... I sighed and walked upstairs. Maybe this is it... she knows. We're caught. What else could she be angry about?

In the kitchen, Mom stood with furrowed brows. She gestured for me to sit at the island. "Sit."

Shit... just play it cool. "What's up, Mom?" I perched on the stool, placing my phone face down. She stared silently.

"Can you guess why I'm upset?"

Yay... twenty questions. There are a lot of reasons. I shook my head. "No, Mom, I don't know."

"I asked you to include Oliver, and you're sleeping at Briana's."

Oh, I included him in something. I snickered, and Mom narrowed her eyes. "I think you want me to say you can't go. Why else would you laugh?"

"I don't."

Mom ran her fingers through her hair, turning to the vegetables. "Briana invited him to hang out, but he didn't want to go."

"Honey, I think you've forgotten persistence... Oliver!"

My eyes widened as I blushed. Please don't come up here.

"I'll ask him. You two are going to get along. You're practically family."

Ew... we're far from family. She never stays with a man more than a year. I stopped myself from scoffing. I don't want to hurt her feelings.

I heard Oliver's footsteps. This is embarrassing. "Oliver, did Scarlett ask you to do anything? Movies, something?"

When he didn't answer, I looked at him. His eyes narrowed playfully. "She definitely asked me to do something."

God, I know where his mind is. I glared. He chuckled.

"See, I told you," Mom said.

"Oh, really? What did she ask you to do?"

"She asked me to go hiking."

Well, she'll know that's a lie.

Mom scoffed. "Scarlett asked you to hike? That's a miracle."

Oliver laughed. "Hey! Is it so unbelievable?" I could hike. I just hate bugs.

I swatted Oliver's arm, but he kept laughing. I glared at Mom. She shrugged. "I'm sorry, Scar. It's just you're not one for physical activity."

"Well, I asked him to hike because I thought he'd like it. It's not always about me." This sucks. Now I have to hike.

"Yeah, I figured we could go tomorrow."

I shook my head, then stopped. I'll be hungover. I don't want to hike. "Tomorrow? That's not a good time."

Oliver tapped his chin. "I'm sure you'll make time. It's only an hour or two." That asshole knows I'll be hungover!

I guess I could lie and say we went. I sighed, tugging at my hair. "I guess that's fine. See, Mom, are you happy?"

"Yes. At least you're trying. It puts strain on Kirk and me when you don't get along."

Jeez, guilt trip. "We're getting along. Oliver, I'll see you tomorrow." I waved him goodbye.

"Or sooner," he said, winking as he left. Asshole.