I forced a smile, but my chest sank. Blair hadn’t meant an insult, but her comment cracked right through the flimsy shield I’d been wielding to cover why my relationships never panned out.
Work. I always blamed work.
Truth was, I wasn’t worth staying for. Too distant, too remote, too much of a thrill seeker. Around for a good time, but beyond that, no one wanted to bother digging beneath the surface. I knew I wasn’t easy. I didn’t offer my heart on my sleeve for just anyone.
My phone buzzed, and I jumped for the distraction.
For as fluffy as clouds look, did you know they’re heavy?
I snorted. August was full of odd facts and random comments, and I loved that I never knew what he would say next. I shot him back a message
Did you need to factor in weight for cloud-napping?
The dot-dot-dot was instantaneous.
The only napping I’m going to be doing with clouds is on them.
The smile rose within me unbidden, all storms dissipating. August had that effect on me, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t crave it. The more time I spent around him, the more I wanted him to be mine.
“Who’s making you smile?” Serena asked, trying to peer over at my phone.
I slipped it back in my pocket, not wanting her to see our text chain. Panic rushed through me. Normally, I would’ve coasted through thisfamily dinner, but tonight, I was close to stepping on minefields at every turn.
She arched her brow. “That was a heart-eyes look, Drake Castillo. You don’t do heart eyes.”
“Please tell me you’re not dropping those terms in the courtroom.” I deflected, even though I didn’t stand a chance of her giving up. The bulldog had caught the scent, and while she might not push now, she wouldn’t let this go.
Which meant I needed to sort my shit out when it came to August.
Whether that meant risk everything and claim him or end this, I still hadn’t figured.
All I knew was I’d gotten myself in far too much trouble.
Chapter thirteen
August
I’d been waiting for this client appointment all day.
Once I realized Ethan was the frontrunner of the band Drake wanted to book for his fundraiser, I was excited for the chance to help. I leaned forward, settling the paper in front of me in my booth at the shop. Drake’s fundraiser wasn’t for another few months, so there was a good chance Ethan could fit the performance into his band’s schedule.
Even if I might not be around to see it.
The thought of moving made my heart squeeze tight. I’d been attempting the fingers in my ears “la, la, la” method of problem-solving, which meant I’d barely mulled it over. Not like I could bring up the issue to my friends here. They’d try to convince me to stay, just like Mom and Dad were trying to convince me to go.
And then I’d be more confused.
The one sway factor right now was Drake Castillo.
Was it healthy basing my life decisions on a guy I’d just started hooking up with? No, not in the slightest. But I’d never been considered healthy anyway.
My phone buzzed with a text from Mom.
This flower looks like it’s frowning.
I snorted and started to type a message back and then stopped. The first thing that popped into my head was that the flower was one from the front yard that wouldn’t be my parents’ front yard anymore, and ugh. I sent a heart back instead of my usual rambling and set to my canvas.
I put the brush to paper, and blue bloomed on the sheet. Painting with watercolors offered a steady hit of dopamine, and I needed it bad. Mom and Dad had been sending me emails of rentals down in Florida. Truthfully, I hated all of them.
