Page 2 of Little Do You Know

At least with Owen driving, it gives me a chance to remember how pretty North Carolina is—even if the area we live in is mostly urban. There are worse places to live, but this is just not where I want to be right now.

My phone starts to ring in my lap, and I smile, seeing it’s my best friend from France. “Salut,” I greet happily, and Penelope begins rambling questions. It makes my heart hurt because of how much I miss her already.

“What’s it like there? Tell me everything? Have you seen him? Are you excited to be back?”

“Fine, nothing to tell, nope, and nope.” I answer all her questions in French, slipping easily back into the language. It’s almost like I never left. “ How’s Madame Thomas?”

“Fine. She told me I’ll need to eat twice the pastries to make up for the business she’s missing from you.”

My mouth waters at the thought of a profiterole right now. “Eat enough for me, and tell her I miss her food already.”

“Forget the food! Who am I supposed to go out with now? Mae and Simone suck at having fun. You left me alone to die of boredom.”

“Die surrounded by profiterole and bubbles. I feel so bad for you, you lucky bitch,” I swear, erupting into a fit of laughter. I can feel Owen staring at me, and since he did pick me up at the airport, I probably should be talking to him instead of Penelope. “Sorry, is it okay if I call you back later? I’m in the car with my brother.”

“Only if you send me pictures of all the hot American boys. I feel deprived here.”

“Of course,” I promise, hanging up. I look at Owen, confused by the one he’s giving me. “What are you looking at?”

“You’re still speaking French,” he says in English, turning back to focus on the road. I can’t help it. I just spent a year entirely immersed in the language and the culture. It’s not a switch my brain can make easily. I’ll get better at it.

“Sorry, habit,” I apologize, leaning back to watch more buildings go by. If I close my eyes, I can pretend the plane ride didn’t happen and I’m still in the apartment I shared with Penelope.

I keep them shut until the car is parked, resisting the urge to open them even when Owen pokes me hard. “Wake up; we’re here.”

I open them reluctantly. “I wasn’t sleeping, jackass. I just closed my eyes.”

“I think they made you meaner over there,” he grumbles, popping the trunk as I climb out of the low-sitting car.

“Everyone’s mean over there; it makes me look like an angel.”

Owen shakes his head at me. “I don’t believe you. Grab your bag. I can’t carry everything.”

“You could carry both bags and me if you wanted to. You forget I’ve been to the gym with you before.” I tease my brother, and he gives me a half smile.

“I’m glad you’re back, Thalia. I know the apartment situation isn’t ideal for anyone, but I’ve really missed you.”

I can’t help throwing my arms around him. “You’re the best. I’m seriously fine. Cool as a cucumber. I can be polite, but I’m not making any promises about how your best friend will act.”

“Don’t worry, I had a similar conversation with him already.” Owen chuckles, hugging me back. “Let me know if there’s any problems.” As if. I can handle Sebastian on my own. At least I think I can.

“Am I allowed to invite friends over?” I ask, pulling back to shoulder my carry-on again.

“I don’t care. Like I said, we’re never home. Please try not to trash the place if you do have people over. There’s only so much I can do to help keep the peace in the apartment.”

I smile because Owen is acting like I’m the same person I was before I left. I can admit I wasn’t a responsible person then, but I’ve grown. “I promise I won’t trash the place. I’m pretty responsible now.”

He looks skeptical. “You’re twenty. You can’t be that responsible. Just don’t be stupid.”

“I look forward to surprising you then with my high level of responsibility and low levels of stupidity.”

“You can start showing us tonight. You’ll have the apartment to yourself. Bash and I have a late practice and plans with the team for our season opener. I talked to Vera, and she said she would come by to see you.”

I totally forgot to respond to Vera asking when I was coming back. Shit, I’m a terrible friend. “Awesome, I can’t wait to see her. It’s been so long.”

Owen unlocks the apartment door and sets my bag down in the entryway. “It’s been a long time since anyone’s seen you. Your bedroom is the one at the end on the right. There’s food in the fridge, but there’s some money on the counter if you want to order pizza for you and Vera later.”

“Thanks. We’ll probably do a low-key movie night.” I’m too exhausted to do anything else.

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