“I can’t believe we’re in Spain and we’re eating at the Hard Rock,” Claudia said loudly over the music, making a face.
I laughed, not at all put out. Frankly, I was looking forward to my cheeseburger and fries.
We’d stepped out of the hotel and started walking east, only to discover the Hard Rock Café on the plaza.
Claudia had shaken her head at our pleading eyes. “No, I want to explore.”
“We’ll explore once we’re fed.” I’d grabbed her wrist and pulled her inside the café.
“Could we be any more American right now?” she said before taking a feisty bite out of an onion ring.
“I like it.” I leaned back against the diner-style seat and Jake draped his arm across my shoulders. “I’m starting to get a little homesick.”
“Me too,” Beck said as he watched Claudia chew petulantly. It was so clear from the soft look on his face that he thought everything she did was adorable.
Stubborn ass.
“Well, only seven weeks until we’re back home,” Jake reminded us.
“And then we have all summer.” I grinned. “I wonder what we could get up to.”
“If I’m going on tour with these creeps,” Claudia gestured to Beck, “you’re coming too.”
“Uh-uh, no way.” And I meant it. “I’m spending time with my family and Jake this summer, not parading from state to state as a roadie. Close quarters with Matt? I don’t think so.”
Jake snorted. “I don’t blame you.”
Claud glowered at me. “But you said I should go.”
“And so you should.” I laughed at the horrified look on her face. “You’ll have Beck and Lowe. And Denver’s not entirely terrible.”
“I don’t think that makes up for close quarters with Matt.”
Beck laughed. “She may have a point.”
I chuckled at the way Claudia’s eyes bugged out.
“All right, I’m definitely not going now.” She pinched her lips tight and shook her head.
“I think you’re all underestimating Matt,” I said, trying not to laugh and ruin my defense of him. “I think underneath the frat-boy attitude is a nice, misunderstood young man with awkward social skills. Who knows, Claudia… maybe the one has been under your nose the whole time.”
“Matt? The one? He once asked me if I was shaved.”
“He did what?” Beck looked at her sharply, his tone not at all happy.
Jake and I exchanged a knowing look.
Claudia shifted uncomfortably under Beck’s direct stare. “He was really drunk and being more of an idiot than usual. He did apologize later…” Her voice trailed off at the gathering thunderclouds in Beck’s eyes.
He finally lifted his angry gaze to look at Jake across the table. “Can you believe that dick? What’s the matter with him?”
“You know Matt,” Jake treaded carefully. “He says shit without thinking.”
“Yeah, well, I think he and I need to have a talk.”
“Beck, don’t.” Claudia scowled at him. “It’s no big deal. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”
“He crossed the line.”