Page 37 of Designed for Disaster

“That’s it there,” he said, pointing out a residential complex designed in that signature collegiate Gothic style—a style I adored. It was all arched windows and spires that reminded me a little of a castle. Furniture ideas spiraled through my mind. I wondered if Dee wanted a throne.

“Stop,” Trent said suddenly.

I shoved my foot down on the brake, pulling over to the side of the road, giving a little cheer when I managed to stop the truck without it imploding. I looked out Trent’s window. There was a kid sitting on the curb. He stood as Trent opened his door. I assumed this was Jimmy. He had the same dark hair as Trent, but was shorter and lankier, like he hadn’t quite grown into himself yet.

Trent left his door open as Jimmy threw himself into his arms, sobbing on his shoulder. Man, this kid was taking this poor gradereallyhard.

“I…I don’t know what I did wrong,” he cried, his breathing choppy. “I even went in for office hours to make sure I understood the assignment.”

“It’s okay, Jimmy,” Trent said. “One bad grade isn’t going to derail your entire college career. Trust me. You’ve heard about the things the guys and I got up to in college. I had my fair share of bad grades. It didn’t stop me from doing anything I wanted to do.”

Jimmy sniffled. “What if it does though? What if this is how it starts falling apart? What if I’m not smart enough for this school?”

“Hey,” Trent said, giving his shoulders a little shake. “Hey! You’re plenty smart enough for this place. In fact, you might be too smart.”

Jimmy snorted. “That’s not what my professor thinks.”

“That’s one man with an opinion,” Trent said.

“One man who matters.”

Trent waved him off. Jimmy dabbed at his eyes with his sleeves. “I’m sorry for being so much trouble.”

“You’re not any trouble at all,” Trent said, his voice almost a growl. “I will always be here for you whenever you need me. Now. At two in the morning. Whenever. You know that. Right?”

Jimmy nodded. “Right.”

The conviction with which Trent spoke made my heart clench. Whatever his relationship was with his parents, he was clearly a very devoted brother.

“Wait…” Jimmy said, glancing up at the truck. “Why the hell’d you come to campus in a U-Haul?”

Trent grimaced. “I, uh…was in the middle of a supply delivery. To Natasha.” He gestured to me, and Jimmy blinked like he’d only just noticed I was there.

I got out of the truck, walking around the front of it.

Jimmy straightened up, fluffing his hair. He looked a little embarrassed.

“Hi,” I said, smiling at the poor kid.

“Jimmy, this is Natasha, a new designer at the company,” Trent explained. “She’s also the one who’s making the new pieces of furniture for Nana Dee. Remember I told you?”

“Yeah. Nice to meet you,” Jimmy said. “I still don’t get why you made her drive this hunk of metal all the way here, though.”

“I hurt my hand,” Trent grumbled, lifting the bandage. “Natasha was kind enough to offer to drive.”

“I have my license but not a car to offer, which is why we’ve both been trapped in this death machine,” I said to Jimmy.

He laughed a bit. “You didn’t see me crying, did you?”

I opened my mouth, closed it. Gave him a wry smile.

“Nice,” he muttered, his cheeks flushing.

Aww, he was adorable. “Don’t worry about it. Your brother was almost in tears when I had to bandage him up.”

“I was not!” Trent shot me a dirty look.

Jimmy snickered.

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