The Slam Read Online Free Page A

The Slam
Book: The Slam Read Online Free
Author: Haleigh Lovell
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thinking. Her brain’s just wired differently than us neurotypicals. She takes mostly everything at face value.”
    “Neurotypicals?”
    “Or NT for short. That’s how Adelaide relates to you in her mind. It’s what Aspies call normal people.”
    “Are you sure you don’t have Asperger’s?” I said in a teasing voice. “You’re not exactly normal, Camille.”
    She laughed. “What’s normal anyway? That’s just a setting on my washing machine. Totally mundane if you ask me!”
    “You and Jeff practically raised Adelaide.” I weighed my words before continuing. “Was it ever a challenge? I knew a guy in high school with Asperger’s and he—”
    “Enderson James Hemsworth,” she cut me off. Camille only used my full name when I was in trouble. “If you’ve met one person with Asperger’s, then you’ve met one person with Asperger’s. They’re all different in their own ways.”
    Okay. But Camille hadn’t exactly answered my question. Before I could press her further, she said, “I’ve gotta go, love. I have to pick up some lunch from Maccas soon. And then Vickie and I are going to sit around the bush telly and sip some wine.”
    I frowned. “A bush TV?”
    “A campfire,” she answered. “Send my love to Edricson. You brothers be good to each other. And be nice to Adelaide.” Click . The line went dead.

 
    Chapter Two
     
     
    ENDER
     
     
     
     
     
     
    When I got back from the store the next morning, I walked into the kitchen to find Natasha and Edric in the middle of a heated argument.
    “How come she gets to stay here, huh?” Natasha was glaring at him like she wanted to gut him like a fish. “Why her and not me?”
    “I’m not dating her, okay.” Edric blew out a frustrated sigh. “She’s a long time friend of the family.”
    Crossing her arms, Natasha gave him the side-eye. “How do I know you’re not full of shit?”
    Edric mimicked her actions, folding his arms across his chest. “You’re the one who turns every discussion into a giant shit fest. If you don’t believe me, ask Ender.”
    Natasha whirled around to face me.
    Now she was giving me the side-eye.
    Natasha was the queen of side-eye.
    Setting the bagels on the kitchen counter, I said flatly, “She’s a long time friend of the family.”
    “Thank you!” Edric said forcefully. “Now can we move on? Please.”
    “Nope,” Natasha snapped. “I’m not done yet!”
    “Good God, woman.” Edric drew a long breath. “Let the butt hurt flow through you! And you know what? I don’t even know what you’re so butt hurt about!”
    “Why didn’t you tell me?” Natasha demanded.
    Edric gave a weary sigh. “Tell you what?”
    “Why didn’t you tell me she was gonna be staying here?”
    “How else can I explain this to you?” Edric cut his gaze to the ceiling. “I didn’t know. For the hundredth time—I only found out last night!”
    Adelaide chose that moment to breeze into the carnage. “Hellooooo!” she chirped. “Good morning, everyone!”
    Natasha gave her an epic side-eye.
    Adelaide attempted to return the side-eye, but she ended up looking like Quasimodo.
    The best part of it all was Adelaide’s zero fucks bemusement at the dramatics. She simply pulled out a chair, sat down, and helped herself to a bagel.
    “Who got the bagels?” she asked.
    “I did.”
    “Thanks, Ender,” she said brightly. “Is there coffee too?”
    “There’s a fresh pot on the counter. Help yourself.”
    “Okay,” she said, looking around. “Isn’t anyone else going to eat?” She leveled a cool gaze at Natasha. “Hi, there.” She smiled sweetly. “Would you like a bagel?”
    Edric made the swift introductions. “Natasha, this is Adelaide. And Adelaide, meet my girlfriend, Natasha.”
    “Hi,” Natasha said acidly.
    “Bagel for you?” Adelaide repeated.
    Natasha dismissed her words with a flick of her ring-laden fingers. “No bagel for me. Thanks for the offer, but I’m on the Paleo diet.”
    “You
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