The Rules of Dating My Best Friend's Sister(28)

“I’ll make it work.”

I sighed. “God, Holden. You’ve done so much for me. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you the last few weeks.”

He winked. “You’ll never have to find out because I’ll always be here for you, babe.”

I needed to go back to get my work files from my car. Plus, I thought I should talk to the gas station attendant and let her know I was going to leave my car there overnight. But a few minutes into the drive, there was a loud pop outside, followed by a whooshing sound.

“What the heck was that?”

Holden had been casually driving with one hand, but now he gripped the wheel tightly with two. “That was our tire. We just had a blowout.”

Thank God we weren’t on the highway because the van started to pull hard to the right. Holden maneuvered us into an empty parking lot, but it was still pretty scary.

I shook my head. “I cannot believe that just happened.”

“Me neither.”

We got out of the van and walked around to the front passenger side. Sure enough, the tire was completely flat already, though it was still making a loud hissing sound.

“What is it with us and car trouble?” I said.

“I think it has something to do with the fact that we both drive hunks of junk.”

“First I got towed for the way I parked, then my starter went, now I have a clogged fuel filter, and you got a flat. I’ve had more car trouble in the last few weeks than I have had the last ten years.”

Holden opened the back van doors. “That’s how it happens with old cars. One thing goes after another.” He lifted a concealed panel in the floor of the van and hung his head. “You’ve got to be freaking kidding me.”

I walked over to see what he was looking at. “What’s wrong?”

“The jack is gone.” He looked around the interior of the van. “Shit. So is the spare. I think we took them out to make room for our new amps the other night before a gig. I guess we never put them back. They’re still in Dylan’s garage.”

“Oh boy. What do we do now?”

He put his hands on his hips. “I suppose we could call two freaking tow trucks and take a two-hundred-dollar Uber back to the city. Then spend another two hundred to Uber back tomorrow morning to pick up the cars at the repair shop. Or…” He pointed down the block to a building I hadn’t noticed. “There’s a Holiday Inn up ahead. We can stay the night, and I’ll pick up a new fuel filter first thing in the morning and fix your car, then deal with the van situation. That makes the most sense. Otherwise, between Ubers and tow trucks, it’ll be three times the cost of staying the night. Plus, we can get an early start and not have to fight traffic to get back here. Auto parts stores are usually open by eight or nine because mechanics get started early. What do you think?”

I bit my lip. “I don’t know.”

“Well, it’s up to you. I’ll do whatever you want.”

Of course it made sense to just stay here, both financially and timewise. Yet the thought of spending the night with Holden made me nervous. Then again, I wouldn’t be spending the night with him. We’d get two rooms. Even if they were right next to each other, it would be no more inappropriate than the apartments we lived in. I was just overthinking things.

I nodded. “Staying the night makes more sense. But I insist on paying for your room and mine. You wouldn’t be in this predicament if it weren’t for me.”

“How about we make sure they even have rooms before we fight over who’s paying.”

“Fine. But I’m paying.”

Holden’s lip twitched. “We’ll see.”

We locked up the van and walked the block or so to the Holiday Inn. The registration desk was empty, and the eyes of the pretty woman behind it lit up when she got a look at Holden.

“Can I help you?” She smiled.

Feeling like she hadn’t even noticed me yet, I answered. “Yes, do you have two rooms available for tonight?”

“Just for the one night?”

I nodded. “Yes, please.”

She began typing into her computer. “We’re pretty booked up because the boat show opens down the road tomorrow, and we’re the sponsoring hotel. But let me check.” She looked up after a minute. “We do have a room, but only one.”

Holden and I glanced at each other. “Does it have two beds?” he asked.

The woman shook her head. “Sorry, just one king.”

Holden pointed over his shoulder toward the door. “It’s fine. I’ll sleep in the van.”

“No way. I can’t let you do that.”

“I’ve done it before. It’ll actually be a treat sleeping in it all by myself. Usually I’m stuck in it with the guys from the band after a show because we can’t get a hotel room for one reason or the other.”

“I’m not letting you sleep in the van, Holden.” I looked at the clerk. “Are there any other hotels nearby?”

“Not really. That’s why we’re all booked up. There’s a Days Inn, but it’s about a twenty-minute drive. Though they might be booked up too since they’re usually cheaper.”

I sighed and looked at Holden. “I’ll just sleep on the floor. You can have the bed.”