Page 11 of Forever and Other Lies

Jayna trailed behind the group, making her way toward the parking lot. Only her truck remained, along with Derek Brennan, who stood in the center, scratching his head.

“Looks like Nick forgot he was my ride home,” Derek said and shrugged.

She tossed the moving blankets into the back of her truck and let out a loud snort. “Your best friend forgot you? That’s classic!”

“Classic Nick these days,” Derek agreed. “He’s been really distracted.”

After hitting the key fob, Jayna opened the driver’s door. “So, I’m guessing you need a ride home?”

“Looks that way,” he said, staring at her. “Thanks.”

How sour did thanking her taste in his mouth?

Derek opened the passenger door and jumped in. “You haven’t had too much to drink, have you? My mom warned me to never drive with anyone under the influence.”

“Not nearly as much as you!” He’d been pounding back the beer at the bonfire.

He raised a skeptical brow.

“I had half a glass of ice wine,” she made a face. “I have no idea how Jamie and Jessica drink that. It tastes like cough syrup.”

She fired up the engine and snapped on her seat belt. “So, why is Nick so distracted?”

“No idea.” Derek fastened his seatbelt.

“You haven’t asked him?”

“Why would I?” He turned, gaping at her.

“Because he’s your best friend. And that’s what friends do. They listen, offer support and advice.”

“They do?” Derek scoffed. “Is there a friend’s rule book that I missed reading?”

Now she scoffed. “I’m forgetting who I’m talking to. You’d need a soul to be that kind of friend. Nick’s better off, actually. Any advice you’d offer wouldn’t be worth taking.”

“Ha ha.” Derek leaned forward and changed the station on the radio.

“Hey!”

“Country music sucks,” Derek grumbled, settling on a rock station.

“Says no one ever. At least no one with taste.”

Derek shook his head. “Less than a minute, and you’ve called me soulless, a bad friend who offers terrible advice, and now tasteless.”

“Yeah, I must be slowing down,” Jayna laughed.

Derek reached inside her purse which sat on the console between them.

“Hey,” she snapped. “And without boundaries. Didn’t your mother teach you that it’s bad manners to rummage through a woman’s purse?” How had she drawn the short straw and got stuck chauffeuring Two-Date Brennan home?

“And I have bad manners with no boundaries,” he chuckled, holding up a foil-wrapped package. “Why do you have so many glow sticks?”

“I bought them to hand out to the kids who came into Jamie’s store tonight.”

“Ah.” Derek reached into her purse again and pulled out a handful. “Turn right,” he instructed.

“Why?”

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