Trials and Tiaras (Untouchable #7) - Heather Long Page 0,62

a good thing crazy is my specialty.”

I could almost see the worry evaporating off her.

Yep, I’d totally punch that bitch in the face.

“C’mon, pajamas, pizza, and video games sounds like a perfect night to me.”

Chapter Thirteen

All Rise

Frankie

The weekend sped past, despite all our best efforts to block it out. And by best efforts, I meant the video game marathon, movie marathon, and even YouTube video marathon we engaged in. I also got homework done. I worked my way ahead through two of my classes, including writing up the last two French papers I’d need for the year. Our AP classes would pretty much switch to drilling for the test itself after spring break, along with final projects, if any.

There were also a few weeks of graduation practice. The walk at the elementary schools. The preparation of speeches. Final class ranks would be posted, and the valedictorian and salutatorian would be picked. The top twenty students in the class would be awarded grants and scholarships. There would be more.

I had every item written down. I’d been tracking all of this for years, prepping for the final senior stretch, and here we were, not even nine weeks away, and I couldn’t care less. Wittaker had called the evening before to confirm our court time. He wanted me there at least thirty minutes early. Rarely were times pushed up, though they could be delayed. However, the number of cases rolling through the court meant we had to be in the courtroom and ready to go when it was our turn.

Positive thoughts. Focus on them right now. My homework for Erin included making notes when my mood dropped and why it dropped as well as what I did to recover. The weekend had been all but perfect, and my mood had seesawed so wildly, I wasn’t even sure if what I wrote down would be useful.

It was still dark when I woke, well before the alarm. Ian slept on one side and Archie on the other. Hopefully, today would help purge some of the demons for him too. At least when he slept, the tight lines between his eyes smoothed. Tiddles moved as I shifted my legs, and I crawled out from between them. Shockingly, neither moved. They had to be even more tired than I thought.

Smothering a yawn, I went to the kitchen and fed the cats before they woke up the whole house. After getting the coffee maker brewing, I headed for the shower. Better to start the day right. I snagged my phone off the charger and pulled the bedroom door mostly closed before I got the shower started. Once the water was on, I brushed my teeth real quick while the water heated, then cued up Torched’s latest album. By the time I was shampooing my hair, I was singing along.

I was really jamming out to the third song and pivoted to find Jake leaning against the interior bathroom door, eyes bright and a smile on his face as I sang. Heat flooded my face, and I faltered on a note or two, then just went for it. Jake’s grin widened when I curled my fingers to beckon him.

He shed his shirt, and his boxers landed right next to it before he slipped into the shower with me. I was already warm and soapy, so I contented myself with a good morning—Oh hello, he tasted all minty and fresh. His groan answered my own, and the stubble on his cheeks stung a little. I didn’t care, except…

“Can I shave you?” I asked as I leaned my head back, and Jake gave me a sleepy look.

“Shave?” He scratched at his stubble. “I guess it’s probably not too pleasant.”

Biting my lower lip, I fought to keep my smile tucked away. “I don’t mind it, though I don’t want beard burn today and I want to shave you.” I kind of always had wanted to. It was a little thing, but the guys had helped me with my legs when my wrist was broken. Not something I ever imagined having them do, but Jake hadn’t even cracked a joke.

“Sing me one of your songs with Bubba, and I’ll be putty in your hands.”

This time, the heat hitting my face was scorching. The guys had all listened, but I hadn’t been able to watch them listening to me. Of course, after the evening at the studio with Coop and Ian, I didn’t think I’d be able to listen to myself sing again without getting