The Best Mistake - Cookie O'Gorman Page 0,19

message. Ugh, my heart was such a hopeless romantic.

I couldn’t believe it.

My little sister was rooming with the bookworm who had fully captured my attention since the night she’d decided to seduce my brother and ended up in my bed instead. I knew myself, and I knew I’d find her again. There were no two ways about that. Coach and Bear always said I was the most stubborn person they’d ever met—well, besides my dad. That I never knew when to let things go. I’d been planning to look Honor up in the school registry and ask around about her.

But it seemed like I wouldn’t have to.

Here she was standing in front of me, the girl I hadn’t been able to get off my mind, like some kind of gift in a Harry Potter t-shirt and yoga pants, her hair tied up in a messy bun. I was staring which I knew was rude, but I just couldn’t stop drinking her in.

The only bad part was she didn’t look as excited to see me as I was to see her.

I’d have to fix that.

Right after I got my fill of her—which was looking like it might be never.

“Why are you looking at her that way?” Baylor said with his usual tact. “Did she murder your favorite puppy or something?”

“Why do you say that?” I said, never removing my eyes from Honor.

“Because you’ve been staring at her for at least a full minute without saying anything. There are definitely some weird vibes going on over there.”

Honor shrugged. “Plus, you’re frowning at me again.”

“I am?” My brow furrowed. “Sorry, I didn’t realize.”

“It’s okay,” she said, gesturing toward my face. “Though I see now why you’re so good at sports. With a frown like that, one look, and it probably scares the crap out of the other team. Totally intimidating.”

“Do I scare you?” I asked.

“No,” she said, and I exhaled in relief. Then she muttered, “Though you probably should.”

“Oh, why’s that?”

“Well, look at you,” she said. “You’re all tall, dark, broad-shouldered and broody. Plus, you pretended not to know me yesterday which means you’re either clever or devious.” I choked as she went on. “Probably a bit of both. God help us if the good-looking jocks are smart, too. That’s like girl kryptonite right there.”

There was a beat—and then suddenly her face turned red.

“Oh my God,” she said, covering her mouth. “Did I just say all that out loud?”

Out of nowhere, a sound exploded from my lips, my eyes widening a moment later.

“Did he—” Dex tilted his head.

“I think he did,” Emilia said.

“It sure sounded like one to me,” Chase confirmed.

Finn grinned, nodding his agreement.

“Holy shit,” Baylor said, “she made Arch laugh! It’s a Christmas miracle.”

Chase sighed, sounding put out. “It’s the end of January, dumbass.”

Baylor waved him off. “Yeah, I know,” he said. “Season’s about to start. But doesn’t it feel like Santa just entered the building or something? Arch, I don’t think I’ve heard you laugh like that since—”

I shot him a glare, and he got quiet real fast.

“What?” he mumbled a second later. “I was just saying you don’t laugh much anymore.”

“Yeah?” I said. “Well, I think you laugh enough for the both of us, Bay. Somebody has to take life seriously.”

My brother ducked his head, and I was surprised there was no quick comeback. Either my glare had finally worked on him—doubtful—or maybe he realized how messed up it would be to bring up dad’s death in front of strangers. Whatever the reason, I was glad to turn my attention back to Honor, the girl who’d just managed the impossible and made me laugh for the first time in years.

She was the one frowning now.

“Sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to cause any issues between you and your brother.”

I raised a brow, thinking of the name she’d called out the other night. My issues with my brothers were many, but that one stood out like a sore thumb.

Apparently, she was thinking the same thing because she pulled me further away from the others and lowered her voice.

“I also wanted to say I’m so sorry about…well, you know,” she whispered.

I shook my head. “No, I don’t. You’re going to have to spell it out for me.”

“I’m sorry for saying what I did. It was a total accident. I wanted to apologize when I figured out my mistake but wasn’t sure I could handle the embarrassment.”

I crossed my arms and waited, knowing there was more.

“My brain was addled by pleasure,” she