“Mm. I’ll text you the address.”
I chuckle. Classic John, treating a huge life decision like it’s no big deal. It’s kind of a shame, too. His old apartment was pretty cool. “Sounds good,” I say, trying to mimic his casual tone. “See you later. Nice to meet you, Maya!” I add, waving to her as John climbs back into his car.
I wait until they’ve driven away before I throw my hands over my head and do the stupidest celebration dance of all time, complete with twirling and high-pitched squealing. I catch a glimpse of myself in my car window, and honestly, I look like the biggest loser.
I don’t care, though.
I’m back together withJohn.
40
My excitement fades an hour later as I pull up in front of the address he texted me. His car is parked on the street, so I know I’ve got the right place, but...
Oh boy.
I don’t mean to be judgmental, I swear, but when I tell you this place is a shack, I’m not being rude. It’s a literal shack, a crumbling building the size of a garden shed. I’ve actually seen it before on my old running route. I always gave it a wide berth, just on the off chance it was haunted. It definitely looks like the type of place that would be haunted. The roof is collapsed, and almost all of the windows are missing.
I don’t care how much I love John, I amnotsleeping in that thing. As least not until I get an updated tetanus shot.
I get out of my car and approach John, who’s leaning against his own car.
“So?” he asks, gesturing to the shack. “What do you think?”
I open my mouth to lie, but what’s the point? Only a rabid raccoon would find this house appealing. “It looks like a good place to get murdered,” I say honestly.
He snorts with laughter. “Maybe Iamgoing to murder you,” he says. “Maybe I’m actually pissed you went to New York, and I’ve tricked you into coming here.”
“No, too creepy!” I protest.
He grins and pulls me toward him. “Sorry.”
I let him hug me for a moment, enjoying the warm strength of his arms. “For real, though, is this actually where you live?”
“No,” he says. “I just didn’t want you to get lost. The streets around here are confusing. Hop in your car and follow me.”
I roll my eyes. “The streets around here aren’tconfusing. I’ve run them, like, a hundred times. I own these streets!”
John laughs and gently pushes me toward my car. “Yeah, yeah.”
I get into my car, shoot a quick reply to the text Kiara’s sent me (YAY! Tell me everything at coffee tomorrow!!!!), and follow him down the street. He turns left, then right, then left again, then doubles back past the shack. I’m about to call him and tell him to stop being annoying when he finally puts his blinker on and turns into a driveway.
Mydriveway.
The driveway of my old house.
My hands are shaking a little as I pull in after him and climb out of my car. There’s a hot lump in the back of my throat, and my eyes are prickling dangerously. The For Sale sign on the front lawn now says SOLD.
John holds his hands out to the house. “Voilà,” he says. “That’s French for ‘look at this.’” He grins at me, then his smile falters when he sees my face. “Oh, shit. What’s wrong? I thought you’d be excited.”
“Iam,” I say in a tiny, tremulous voice. “I am excited. It’s... it’s...” I can’t find the words. “Did you really buy it?”
“Mm. It’s an awesome house. Needs some work done, but I can do most of it myself.”
“But...how? Isn’t this place really expensive? Plus with you buying the shop—”
John shrugs. “I’ve been saving up for a place for a while now, and my parents loaned me a bit.” He looks up at the house. “Before you left, I heard you telling Dave that the people who owned this place were going to sell it, so I had my real estate buddy get in touch with them. I haven’t actually moved in yet, though. Closing’s not for a few weeks.”
“You mean—” I go hot with mortification. “You got in touch with thembeforeI went to New York?”
