December (The Oliver Brothers Book 1) by Q.M. Watson Read Free Book Online Page B

chocolate-colored doe eyes are pleading with me, and just like that, I’m on her side. “Don’t be mean. Let her back up here.”
    “No.” His voice is firm. He sets the boxes on the low oak coffee table. “You’ve spoiled her. With any luck, I’ll have her well trained again. Have you picked a movie yet?” 
    “Well, it’s Sunday. Thank God I set you up with HBO, because the best show ever is about to come on.”
    “Which is?” he prompts, piling a paper plate with hot wings and slices of meaty pizza.
    “ Game of Thrones .”
    He lifts a brow. “What’s that?”
    “The best show ever,” I reply, my tone being obvious.
    “Forgive me, but you’ll have to explain it to me. I’ve been out of touch with civilian life. Is it a drama? A romance? A comedy?”
    It’s only when he makes comments like this do I realize he’s been gone for four years. “It’s an American fantasy show, unless you think beheading is funny and incest is romantic.”
    He makes a face, and I burst into laughter. “It must be worth watching if you like it.”
    I playfully jab him in his arm with my elbow, hiding my wince from the impact of hitting his muscles. “Aw, you trust my judgment.” 
    “When it comes to television shows,” he clarifies.
    “Hey, at least that’s a start. Wait. Is that for me? Because that’s way too much food.”
    “We’re sharing.”
    “I can feed myself this round. Hot wings are sticky.”
    He gestures toward the food. “Dig in, little lady. I’m going to go grab us some beers and paper towels.”
    “Hurry,” I yell over my shoulder, then I bite into a spicy chicken wing. “It’s about to come on.” Attempting to be sneaky, I open the other box and toss Chloe two barbecue wings while Danny has his head deep in the fridge.
    Chloe lies down and crunches loudly, her gaze as alert as mine. We’re both on the lookout for Danny. “Come on,” I mumble to her under my breath.
    “Press pause. We do have that feature on the remote.”
    “Okay.”
    After I pause the show at the opening credits, I glower at Chloe as she takes her sweet time chomping the second wing. She’s savoring it, knowing it might be her last bone of the night. She’s smearing barbecue sauce everywhere between her two front paws. I’m glad Danny has hardwood floors and not carpet.
    Danny’s jean-clad legs come into view, blocking Chloe from my sight. “December,” he scolds.
    I jump, startled.
    “You can’t help yourself, can you?”
    “Sorry?” I smile up at him.
    He shakes his head, fighting a grin. Danny pops the caps off the beers on the edge of the low coffee table and hands me one. He slides next to me on the couch, and I press play.
    We chow down on pizza and wings, totally absorbed in the show. I periodically glance at Danny to make sure he’s into it. Game of Thrones completely wins him over. He hasn’t taken his eyes off the screen. But on the other hand, Chloe’s eyes burn holes into my head because I have to ignore her, no matter how much it hurts me. 
    I turn to him once it goes off. “You like?”
    He nods, taking a long drag of his beer. “Very much.”
    “So I have good taste?”
    He stares at me, his eyes twinkling in the darkness and the glow of the TV. “You have the best taste.”
    “Well, there you go,” I say, lifting my feet onto the couch, pretending his comment doesn’t jumpstart my heart. My eyes close on their own volition. “Man, I’m stuffed.” Having Danny home feels good, but it’s even better to know I can have him as a friend. Yeah. Being the best of friends is the perfect relationship for us—no expectations and no hurt feelings.
    Just perfect.
    He physically moves me into his lap.
    I freeze when he nuzzles me. “Danny—”
    “Quiet, December. I want to hold you for a while.”
    Friends do not hold each other like the way he’s holding me. He embraces me with both arms, tucking my head under his chin with my cheek pressed against his chest. No. This can’t