Gold Diggers.
Ugh!He’s asking me to rescue him from a strip club? I want to kill him.
Like I’m driving all the way out there. I don’t even have a car.
Seconds later, he responds again.
I left my truck at the restaurant.
Frowning, I study the words he just sent me. I can’t do this. I shouldn’t. Rescuing him gives me hope, and I should feel hopeless when it comes to Drew. He’s not worth all the heartache and drama.
Is he?
No key though, I finally type, feeling sorta cheery. How can I drive his truck with no key?
“You need a ride?”
I glance up to find Colin standing in front of me, his handsome face filled with concern. My phone beeps and I read Drew’s message, a detailed description of the exact location where the spare key is hidden on his truck.
Tempting me more and more to go rescue him, no matter how stupid I know the idea is.
“Fable?”
“Yeah, um, thanks for the ride, but I don’t need one.” I smile, realizing I need Colin to leave before I do if I don’t want him to see me drive off in Drew’s truck.
Not that he’d know it was Drew’s truck, but Colin is a smart guy. He can put two and two together real easy.
“Are you sure?” He reaches out and touches me, his fingers drifting across my arm, and I don’t react. I might’ve yesterday. Hell, I might’ve about four hours ago, before Drew walked back into my life so easily, but now there’s nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
Nodding, I offer him a bigger smile. “Really. I have a ride. But I appreciate the offer.”
“All right. Jen’s catching a ride home with me, so we’ll both see you tomorrow?”
My first Sunday working at the restaurant. My shift startsin the mid-afternoon and I’ll get off at a decent time, too, since I’m only scheduled for four hours. I’m sort of excited about it. Owen and I already have plans. Either breakfast, if I can get his lazy ass out of bed, or a late dinner after I get off work. Maybe even a movie if we’re feeling ambitious.
I feel like treating my brother to something special. He deserves it. I haven’t been around much and neither has Mom. He’s drifting, and I need to reconnect with him. No fourteen-year-old should drift, especially my own brother.
“See you tomorrow,” I say as I watch Colin leave with Jen by his side. I wonder if they’re a couple. And if they are, why he would flirt with me. Why would he flirt with anyone? I don’t understand the dynamics there.
I don’t understand the dynamics between Drew and me either, so who am I to judge?
I pull into the parking lot of Gold Diggers fifteen minutes later, driving around to the side of the building, where I find Drew leaning against the wall. His upper body is slouched forward, his hands nestled deep in his jeans pockets, and his head is bent. It looks like he didn’t even hear the truck pull up.
Rolling down the passenger-side window, I whistle low and he glances up, his gaze meeting mine.
“Need a ride?” I ask, trying my best to keep my voice even, but I hear the slight waver. Did he?
I hope not.
Pushing away from the building, he saunters over to the truck and leans in through the open window, his arms propped on the ledge. “So you found the key.”
“I told you I did.” I’d texted him when I left work that I was on my way. Did he already forget or what?
Sniffing the air, I catch the distinct scent of beer. He’s been drinking. And he’s always more of a handful when he’s been drinking. Not necessarily in a bad way, though. Not like the guys my mom always ends up dating. Those types are mean and sometimes use their hands to get their point across.
“Thanks for coming to get me.” He pushes away from the truck and pulls on the handle, opening the door so he can climb inside. Settling into the passenger seat, he rolls up the window, pulls the seat belt on and clicks it into place, then leans back against the seat, his eyes closing. “I appreciate it.”
