Page 49 of Coming Up Roses

I wiggle out of their arms and settle in for the long haul. I’m sure they have questions. I know I do, and I’m gonna get some damn answers.

“Kid got a name yet?” Simon asks, trying to discreetly wipe the moisture gathering in his lashes on his shirt sleeve.

“Nope,” I say popping the 'P'. "Figure I need to meet him first."

“Drake! Name him Drake.” I laugh and shake my head no, causing Drake to pout. Which only makes me laugh harder.

“Drake Collins, you’re enough trouble on your own. The world don’t need two of you,” I tell him once I catch my breath.

“Now, boys, let’s get down to business.” I school my features, trying to look stern and serious.

As much as I want to question Drake about Azalea, I don’t. She’d kill me if I told him I knew they hooked up, and obviously, he doesn’t want me to know. So, I swallow those questions down and focus on getting some answers about this morning.

“Why was Cash Carson at my house?”

“He said he was coming to apologize, but you weren’t home. Said y’all went on a date.” Drake trails off.

“We may have,” I hedge. “Well, not really. He was only taking me out to say sorry for the other time he was an ass. See a pattern emerging?”

“I’m not sure two times makes a pattern, Myles.”

“I dunno, Simon. Two times seems legit. Is there a formula for that shit or something?” At least Drake has my back.

“Yeah, actually. They say it takes three to make a pattern.”

“Who is they?” Drake questions him, doubt evident in his tone. Simon just shrugs his shoulders before kicking his feet up onto the coffee table.

“Not the point, D.” Simon scoffs before turning to look at me. “Myles, you know we have your back, right? Cash is cool and all, but if he hurts you, we’ll—”

I cut him off with a snort-laugh. “Y’all know y’all are idiots, right?”

“Sure enough,” Drake agrees.

“Totally,” Simon adds.

“Plus, I can handle Cash just fine on my own.”

“Handle him how?” Simon asks, sitting up board straight.

“Chill out, Sim.” I can’t help but smirk at his over-the-top big brother act.

He’s always been fiercely protective of me. Honestly, I’m surprised he didn’t manage to scare Taylor off—not for lack of trying.

“Y’all wanna order pizza and watch a movie?” I ask, trying to change the subject.

Drake and Simon agree, and I snatch up the remote before either of them can put on some dumb sports movie.

* * *

I must’ve fallenasleep during the movie at some point. One second, I was laughing at the antics on screen and the next, Drake is nudging me with his elbow, whispering for me to wake up.

I glance around the room, trying to find my phone, but I come up empty.

“D, what time is it?” I ask through a yawn.

“It’s two thirty. Simon went to bed. Want me to drive you home?”

“Yeah, sounds good. Help me find my phone?”

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