Rough Around the Hedges Snippet (Patreon)

I'm at a writing retreat this weekend trying to finish up the YA novel that's due at the end of October to my publisher, so no BTLN this week. BUT, I didn't want to give you nothing this week so I thought I'd share a snippet of Rough Around the Hedges, the follow up to A Little Too Familiar. Enjoy! (This is from Van's perspective.)

I threw on some pajamas, taking a minute prepare myself incase any of the roommates were between me and the coffee.

The kitchen was blessedly empty as I got things ready, and I was seated and enjoying my first cup when Lou and Declan sleepily stumbled into the kitchen. Lou’s eyes lit up and Declan snorted.

“Go ahead,” he growled, which was a bit of a morning thing and not a reflection of how he was feeling. When your roommate was a werewolf, you got used to interpreting their growls. “You begin the interrogation and all get coffee.” He gently nudged Lou forward and went for the french press.

Lou practically skipped over to her chair, sitting across from me. She steepled her fingers, eyes shining with glee. I’m not sure what face I made, but she cackled, pointing a finger at me. “Not so fun on the other side of this, is it?”

I glowered into my coffee. “As Trick is fond of saying, I hate taking my own medicine.” I had grilled Lou mercilessly when she’d started sleeping with Declan. I sighed. “Go on.”

Lou was tender hearted, and for a second, she wavered. Then Declan put a cup of coffee in front of her, leaning down to nuzzle her temple. “Might as well. It will hurt you to keep it in, and Van can take it.”

“Fort vajayjay has been stormed, the white flag raised,” she said with a smirk. “He laid seige to your battlements. Boiling oil was poured.” She frowned. “That analogy got away from me.”

“You have danced the forbidden dance.” Declan’s voice was brimming with dry amusement.

“The hankiest of pankies.” Lou was getting into it now.

“Sheets were shook,” Declan added, sipping his coffee.

Lou snorted. “The entire house was shook. Asses were definitely tapped.”

“You’re a woman now.” Declan pretended to throw confetti, his tone dry. “Huzzah.”

Will had said those words verbatim when Lou and he had gotten together. I narrowed my eyes at Declan. “Lou told you.” I pointed a finger at her. “Not fair. Anyway, Will said that, not me. So words must be thrown in his face, not mine.”

“What words are being thrown in my face?” Will asked with a yawn, scratching his stomach as he walked into the kitchen. He was wearing a pair of pajama shorts that he’d left here and nothing else.

I couldn’t look away and I felt the heat of my skin as I blushed beet red. Lou snickered and Declan smiled into his coffee.

“I hate you both,” I mumbled.

“You love us,” Lou whispered. Then louder to Will, “Declan was repeating some of your earlier wisdom to Van.”

Will nodded, fetching a mug. “My wisdom is abundant. Nana has taught me well.”

Have a good Sunday, friends!

-Lish