All Stars Fall (Seaside Pictures #3.5)(27)

I stared at him slack-jawed.

His lips turned up into a smile. “And the bad boy of the group just got deep. Sorry…sometimes I forget I’m supposed to be stupid.”

I laughed at that. “You’re not stupid.”

“No, I just like to hide my smarts behind my body, easier to get laid that way.”

“There you are.” I laughed.

He joined me, and then he was pulling up to my house. My tiny little beach house with the cute red door, painted white window boxes for flowers, and Jennifer standing in the middle of my lawn with her cell pressed to her ear and her hands in the air in frustration.

I was renting from Jennifer and her family. Since it was close to the coffee shop, it just made sense. But she’d never actually visited me or stood on my lawn at night looking crazed.

I got out of the SUV.

Drew followed me. Of course he did.

“Jennifer?”

She turned and then held up a hand. “Well, fix it! I have a tenant!”

She ended the call and gave me a frustrated look. “I’m so sorry, Penelope, one of the neighbors smelled smoke and called the fire department. There’s no fire, but the power outage earlier today apparently caused a whole bunch of craziness with the old wiring in the house. Old wiring that was supposed to be fixed last year. The electrical contractor claimed we had a few more years left, so we didn’t do anything and…” She looked ready to cry. “I’m so sorry, but it’s not safe right now. Is there any place you can stay for the next week or so?”

“Um…” Panic set in. Well, it wasn’t actually setting in, I was already in full-fledged panic mode. I didn’t want to ruin Dani and Linc’s time here. Though I knew they had a huge beach house, I just hated imposing on anyone.

Hated the idea that I’d be dependent again.

That I wouldn’t fit.

Why did I always feel like I was floating in limbo? Just waiting to be told this path, this one right here, take it!

“I have a place,” Drew announced.

I sent him a seething glare. “I’m not staying with you.”

He burst out laughing. “Wasn’t offering, not really into girls who see too much. That’s why we get to be friends and I’m helping you hurry things along. Just call me your fairy fucking godmother!”

I could have sworn my eye started to twitch.

Jennifer gasped when she realized who he was, then dropped her phone onto the grass. Then she bent and scooped it up and asked for a selfie. Then she looked ready to burst into tears all at once.

Yeah, yeah, Adrenaline bad boy, live and in the flesh.

I grabbed my phone and took a picture of them before shoving it back into my pocket. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”

“Come on, lonely one,” Drew winked. “Let’s grab your shit. I’ll give you a ride and we can figure out about getting your car later.”

Jennifer sighed in relief. “I’m so glad you have friends here, Penelope. I’m so sorry! If you need a day or two to settle in—”

“I’m good and don’t worry!” I smiled even though I still felt a bit sick to my stomach.

By the time Drew and I had grabbed my two suitcases and the pillow I’d brought with me, I was exhausted and ready to go to sleep.

“So where is this magical place you’re taking me?” I asked in a tired voice.

Drew didn’t answer, and five minutes later, we pulled up to the giant beach house I visited every afternoon.

“NO!” I shouted.

“Yes.”

“Drew!”

“P-dog.” He winked. “Come on, he already said yes. I texted him. What’s the worst that could happen?” He leaned in and cupped my chin with his thumb and forefinger. “You stop being lonely? Get to know him better? He kisses you?”

I must have made a face because he jerked back and then clapped twice. And hit the steering wheel in amusement. “That dirty dog.”

“Please don’t say anything!”

“Oh, don’t worry, I fully intend on telling the entire gang through our texting thread.” He held out his phone. “But never fear, I’ll just accuse him of it and then we’ll all pester him for the next two hours while he thinks of ways to kill us all. It’s a shit ton of fun.”

“Guys are weird.”

“We love the gossip.” He opened up his door. “Let’s do this.”

I walked all the way up to the house like lead filled my legs, rolling my suitcases behind me. Meanwhile, Drew carried my pillow like he was on his way to his first sleepover, and when he knocked on the door he leaned against it like he was in some photo shoot and pulled Trevor in for a hug when he opened the door.

They broke apart.

Trevor looked ready to murder someone. Mainly Drew.

And Drew gave me a “Don’t worry, I got this” look.

I had a very solid inkling he didn’t “have” anything, but what could I even say?

“So…” Drew started backing away. “I think that’s it. You kids have fun painting your toenails and braiding hair. If you need a third, you know where to find me, but I’m really only good at one thing at night. Isn’t that right, Penelope? Or should I call you—”

“No more talking.” I wagged my finger at him.