in my room,” I tell him. I hadn’t bothered to wear any of it, but I did make an effort with the “fancy” clothes and makeup. It’s the only version of me he knows.
Drake puts his arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer until my head’s on his chest. I close my eyes, wish for butterflies. They never come. Even when I saw him for the first time in weeks, they didn’t make an appearance—treacherous little things.
It’s because he’s safe, I try to convince myself. And that safety is exactly what I need.
When the credits begin to roll, Drake releases a long breath, and I wait for the bomb to drop. “What does your room look like?”
It burns my throat when I swallow. “Well, you’ll see it tonight,” I tell him, pulling my legs beneath me and turning my body toward him. “I’ll sleep in Papa’s bed. You can stay there.”
He eyes me sideways, the way he’s been doing all dang day. “What did you and Leo talk about earlier? In his room?”
I stand quickly. “Are you hungry? I can make dinner.” I start walking to the kitchen. “I don’t know what we have, but I’m sure I can put something together.”
“Did you not hear my question?” he asks, watching me from the couch.
After opening the fridge, I scan the items in there and give him a weak, “Huh?”
“Leo,” Drake deadpans, getting up to stand beside me. “What’s with him?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug.
“He’s kind of a dick, Mia.”
I go back to scanning the contents of the fridge. “I should be able to make a basic pasta—”
“Why are you protecting him?” Drake spits. “Do you still have feelings for him?”
“No!” It’s a lie. A big, fat, giant lie. “But he’s my friend, so I don’t want to speak badly of him, especially behind his back.” Besides, I know how that feels, and it sucks.
Drake’s shoulders slump, and he closes the fridge, takes both my hands in his. After a sigh, he tells me, “You’re too good a person, Mia.” He moves forward, runs the tip of his nose along my jaw and up to my ear. “That’s why I love you; you know that?”
It’s not the first time he’s said it, and I really, really wish I could say it back. He lets go of my hands, only to grab my waist, and then he’s pushing me gently up against the fridge. His mouth parts on my neck, kissing me there, and I reach up, grasp handfuls of his hair.
When my eyes close, I see Leo.
I force them open.
And… I see Leo.
Standing by the front door with my best friend next to him, Leo’s looking down at the floor with his hands shoved in his pockets. He won’t look up. He’s already seen enough.
I push against Drake’s chest. “Hey…”
Drake turns to them before adjusting the front of his shorts. “Sorry. Didn’t hear you come in.”
Holden looks pissed, and Leo… I don’t even know what his reaction is. I swallow, nerves swimming through me like a swarm of bees stinging the inside of my flesh. Finally, Leo looks up, his eyes half-hooded, and he starts for the stairs. “We’re just grabbing my mattress,” he says. “I’ll take it out to the barn. Give you guys some privacy.” Holden follows behind him, his glare enough to darken the room.
“You don’t have to do that,” I say, at the same time Drake mumbles, “Appreciate it.”
Holden scoffs but doesn’t say anything more. They’re up the stairs and out of view when I hear voices coming from outside. I make my way to the door and see two cars, two girls.
The ache in my chest forces my eyes to shut tight. Not just because I don’t want to see what I’m seeing, but because I need to hide the sudden tears. Quick. Because Drake is right behind me, his front pressed to my back. His hands are on my waist again, his mouth pressing on my bare shoulder. Instinctively, I reach up, never once taking my eyes off the girls, and run a hand through his hair. It’s Brianna, Holden’s date from last night, and another girl… and this girl is everything I’m not. She oozes sex appeal in a way I’ll never be able to, and she’s here.
For Leo.
She’s tall, and she’s tanned, and her hair’s the perfect shade of auburn I’ve always wanted. Her jeans are tight, her thin-strapped tank even tighter. She has curves upon curves and the kind of laugh