Filed To Story: The Perfect Spiral Book PDF Free by Ashley Constantine
He scooted closer to me, reminding me of the time we’d sat on the bathroom floor a few weeks back.
“You’re the cutest boy and the only one who doesn’t constantly piss me off! Aren’t ya, buddy? You’re such a cutie pie! Mama missed you so much!” I cooed at Boomer.
“Hey! That hurts, baby doll. I don’t piss you off! I’m clearly your favorite,” Knox retorted, his eyebrows wiggling playfully.
I petted Boomer, his tongue hanging out as he panted happily. Someone was clearly enjoying this.
“Yeah, Knox, I just can’t get enough of you. You’re the bestest in the whole wide world,” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Really?” He inquired, a hopeful note in his voice.
“Ha! No, I’m mad at you too!” I retorted, trying to catch Boomer’s attention by tapping the tiled floor.
“Why? I didn’t do anything. I didn’t join in on the beating. Although he deserved-“
“Knox, enough! No one deserves to be beaten up unless it’s self-defense or something! I don’t want this to happen again. Not that it will, because you’ve all effectively scared off any potential suitors! So, thanks.”
“Baby doll, look, they didn’t handle it the right way, but what’s done is done. And if no guy is brave enough to come near you and face us, then they don’t deserve you! But if you open your eyes, your knight in shining armor might be closer than you think.” He cast a shy smile in my direction.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I wasn’t sure how to respond. He’s been acting strange again, so different from the night after the football game in LA. When we had that brief, intimate moment.
He shrugged, adjusting his cap while continuing to play with Boomer. I couldn’t help but smile at their playful interaction. Boomer turned his head to face me, tilting it to the side.
“You like Knox, Boomer? Hmm? Yeah?” Knox beamed at him, as if he’d done something praiseworthy, then turned that smile on me.
After a few more moments, we pushed ourselves off the floor and walked into the kitchen, where our families were bustling about.
My mom and Delilah beamed at us, their minds clearly on the idea of us being together. I hugged each of them and started to survey the food.
I walked into the pantry to get Boomer some food. After filling his bowl and refreshing his water, I gave him a treat. I’d missed the little guy so much.
I sat back down on the floor, crossing my legs, and he sat down too. I stroked his fluffy fur while he nibbled at the food I’d set out for him. Then my brothers, the Carter boys, Bret and Tyler, walked in.
They all stood there, watching me. I could feel their eyes on me. All nine pairs of them.
I kept my eyes on Boomer, refusing to give them any satisfaction. Even when one of them cleared his throat, I didn’t look up.
“Alex?” Kyle crouched down in front of me, and then Sam walked in.
“Seriously, guys! Go find someone else to smother!” I teased.
“But we love you, sis!” Cole chimed in, and the others echoed his sentiment.
“Okay, okay, but I need to sleep. Like, now!” They didn’t budge, and I groaned in exasperation.
“Alex, we’re all sleeping with you tonight, so get used to it,” Austin declared.
“Like hell you are! Get out of my room! I don’t want any of you copping a feel while I’m trying to sleep,” I teased. They all sat up, giving me their full attention. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Which one of us did you think was going to cop a feel, Alex?” Tyler asked, grinning. I knew he would, as would Brett, Wes, and possibly Knox. But I kept that to myself.
“I feel like I’m in a modern version of The Sound of Music. Like I’m about to burst into song and start sewing you all outfits from my curtains.” They all laughed, and Sam came bounding in.
“Are we having a slumber party?” she asked, eyes closed, clearly enjoying the moment.
“Yeah, Sam! We can strip down to our underwear, have pillow fights, and play truth or dare! Maddie, Lena, get in here! We’re having a slumber party!”
Excited squeals echoed from the hallway, followed by the sound of rapid footsteps. Maddie and Lena burst into the room, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“No way! Yes!!!” The sound of little feet racing upstairs and the sight of the little ones trying to climb onto the bed made me giggle.
“I’m sleeping with Alex!” Adam declared, causing a debate to erupt in the room.
“No way, little bud! You can sleep next to her on one side, but I get the other side!” Knox countered, crawling across the bodies to get to me.
Wes smacked him on the back, and they exchanged a glare. Laughter erupted from the doorway, where all the parents stood, snapping pictures of us.
I loved this. I felt so safe.
“Alright, alright, let Alex sleep now! Before my bed collapses and I have to sleep somewhere else! So, goodbye everyone! I’ll see you all tomorrow… afternoon! No way I’ll be up in the morning,” I joked.
One by one, they left the room, leaving only Adam and Knox on either side of me.
“I know you’re both awake! I’m the queen of pretending to sleep! Please! Both of you out! Now!” I tickled Adam and slapped Knox’s chest.
Adam giggled and kissed my forehead. “Night, Alex! See you tomorrow!” He climbed down from the bed and rummaged through my wardrobe and drawers, pretending to scare off the monsters.
“Hang on there, bud! Aren’t you missing a monster?” I pointed at Knox, who was grinning at first, then frowned at my comment.
Adam chuckled and waved goodnight before running out the door.
“He’s too cute!” I sighed.
“Come on, little monster, out! I need my beauty sleep,” I teased Knox, sitting up and releasing his hand.
“You don’t need it, baby doll,” he said, causing me to widen my eyes in surprise. He laughed at my reaction, and I pushed him away, though he grabbed my hand again and pulled me closer.
He kissed my forehead. “Night, baby doll! Sleep well. Don’t dream about me too much. See you tomorrow!” He winked at me before leaving the room.
What the hell? He was super flirty… It wasn’t just me, right?
They were all going to the Christmas fair tomorrow, but I decided to sleep in. I’d go with Hannah another day. I’d been to so many already.
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.