Little Fish Read Free Page B

not since he and his father had their last big argument. He had left after that, calling a cab in the middle of the night and emptying his closet into a duffel bag before leaving. He'd never talked to me like that before. I really didn't like it.
    "And tell them what? My ex step sister isn't answering her phone while she's on a date, go get her?" I leaned up against the wall behind the bathroom vanity, the brown sugar colored walls making my skin look decently tan and my dark roots strand out more than I hoped they were. This only added to my irritation. "You know I was joking with that text earlier, right?"
    I heard him sigh. "Yeah, I know. But you said you'd call me. I know what guys are like out here."
    I rolled my eyes, my other phoneless hand pawing self-consciously at my roots. "Sorry I got preoccupied enjoying myself."
    "Come on now, you're making me feel like a dick." I could hear Anna's voice in the background but couldn't quite make out what she was saying. Her voice sounded happy enough, though. I ran my hand through my voluminous curls, thoroughly disappointed at the prospect of having to attempt to dye it all again.
    "It’s fine, Calder. I'll be over to Anna's in a little bit, okay?" I started to exit the restroom, spotting Alex still sitting at the table waiting for me. He was glancing down at the watch on his wrist and drumming his long, slender fingers on the table top.
    "Okay, Win. I'll see you then." The phone clicked, and I glanced at the screen to realize that he'd ended the call before even saying goodbye. He was taking his big brother role a little bit too seriously, I had decided, but I put Calder out of my brain once I saw Alex smiling towards me as he rose from his seat.
    "Decide where you wanna go next?" He asked, offering me his hand as any true gentleman would. I slid my own long hand into his own, feeling the rough skin of his palm against my fingertips. I shrugged my shoulders; I really had no other expectations, other than a fantastic goodnight kiss. He'd already been such a wonderful date, gone way over the top than I would have expected. Obviously, despite my body's unwavering protests, anything further would have to wait.
    "No, I think I should be heading home actually. My brother's having a conniption. It's past my curfew." I tried to joke off my irritation, but I still felt it clinging to me as Alex put his arm around my waist and led me out of the restaurant.
    "Ah, he's still operating under the impression that I'm a serial waitress murderer?"
    That made me laugh. We stood on the sidewalk outside of the front doors, Alex leaning against the wall and lighting a cigarette as I stood in front of him. It was his third one in the couple hours we'd been together. I rested my hands on my hips as he puffed out a small stream of smoke. "More like operating under the impression that he needs to make up for how shitty he was to me when we were in high school."
    He nodded thoughtfully. "I'm sure there's some long, angst ridden explanation behind that rather loaded statement?"
    "Naturally," I replied, unconsciously stepping closer to him. He noticed before I did, dropping his cigarette to his feet and stepping it out after only two drags on it. He reached for my hand and pulled me another step closer to him, keeping my hand firmly in his grasp.
    "Is it incredibly arrogant of me to assume I can still request a kiss after you just watched me light up a cancer stick?"
    Definitely not, I inwardly decided. Without hesitation, I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his. They were thin but decidedly full, and soft. Just right, and perfectly contrasting with my own natural pout. I hadn't been kissed in years and it was a much missed sensation. I felt my own fingertips brush against his prominent squared jawline, grazing the short amount of sandy blonde stubble on his chin, and his arms wrapped around my lower back. It felt like fireworks shooting off inside of my body, something I couldn't remember ever