Page 36 of The Harder You Fall (Rixon Raiders 3)

By the time Mya arrived, I no longer felt hungover. Which was a good thing considering how many snacks I’d prepared. Everything from nachos to popcorn, pretzels to candy. I may have gone a little overboard.

“Jason, Cameron, Hailee, and Flick did a good job with the clean-up.” She pretended to run her finger along the sideboard, inspecting it for dust. “I hope you tipped them well. Although, I’m surprised you haven’t got a housekeeper.”

“We used to have one, when I was younger,” I admitted. “But as soon as I turned fourteen, she left.”

“I can’t imagine what that’s like, always having someone to do everything for you.” Mya’s eyes clouded.

“There’s just you?”

“Me and my mama, yeah.”

“What happened to your dad?”

“I thought I was coming over to watch a movie?” She deflected and I couldn’t blame her. I didn’t like to talk about my family either.

“We can work up to that.” I led Mya toward the back of the house, pulling open the door to the basement level home movie theater.

“I got a bunch of stuff from the store earlier. I hope you’re hungry?”

She shot me an uncertain smile. “You didn’t need to do that, Asher.”

“I know, but I wanted to. I feel like, after last night, I owe you.” Raking a hand through my hair, I dropped down on one of the couches, chuckling when Mya took the one furthest away from me.

“Do I still smell?”

“You do remember.” She gasped.

“Bits and pieces. It’s very hazy though. What’ll it take for you to put me out of my misery and tell me if I said anything inappropriate?”

Mya hesitated for a second, as if mulling over her answer, then cracked a small smile. “You were ever the gentleman.”

“I highly doubt that.” But I’d take it. I’d take anything she had to offer me.

Jesus, I was so pathetic, begging for scraps of attention from a girl who had made it clear on more than one occasion that she wasn’t going to cross whatever invisible line she’d drawn between us.

But she’s here. And she’s flirting back.

“

Listen, I’m sorry about earlier, with your aunt. I guess I didn’t really believe you when you said she had a problem with white boys.”

“She doesn’t have a problem with white boys, Asher. She has a problem with me dating a white boy.”

“Good job you’re not dating one then.” I fought a grin, watching her reaction. But Mya wasn’t like most girls. You had to work for her blushes and little expressions of surprise.

It was one of the things I liked most about her.

“What movie did you have in mind?” She switched the subject.

“Take your pick.” I flicked my head to where I’d sorted out a pile of DVDs. While she was deciding, I went and got the snacks, adding bowl after bowl to the small coffee table.

“Wow.” Mya observed the spread. “That is a lot of food.”

“You have seen me eat, right?”

She laughed at that, sitting back on the other couch.

Screw this.