Page 14 of Subscriber Wars

Yeah, the damn neighbor. If Sebastian graces this party with his presence, then his house would be unattended, and he’d be a whole lot of distracted.

“I was just curious if you invited some of the neighbors. Like the girl who lives next to what’s his name…” I point to Sebastian’s house. There’s no reason for Drew to get any ideas about my and Sebastian’s issues.

“You mean, Pam?”

I grin. “Yep, that’s the one.”

Drew nods and presses the button on the blender. “Yeah, we invited her and the rest of the neighbors. Bennett thought it’d be easier to head off the noise complaints if we invited everyone.”

Of course, Bennett would be logical about his birthday party.

“That’s really sweet of you two.” I rub his shoulder. “So, am I supposed to slide on my stomach or butt with this whole waterslide kickball thing?”

Drew turns and grabs his drink, taking a big gulp. “Oh, you won’t be running in that thing.” He eyes my bikini up and down. “I’ll be your pinch runner.”

“Pinch runner is a baseball term,” I correct him.

He winks. “No one knows the real term because kickball isn’t a sport.”

This ridiculous human. “So why did you pick it to play for your birthday? Why not bikini baseball?” He is the university’s star catcher after all.

“Dammit, Vee! Why didn’t you offer up that idea earlier?”

“I didn’t know you were looking for wet sporting events; otherwise, I would have suggested swimming or a lake party.”

Drew shrugs. “The ‘rents are at the lake house this weekend. There’s no way I was scoring with my Dad breathing down my neck.”

“Are my parents there too?” My mom didn’t mention it when I talked to her a few days ago but maybe she forgot.

“Nah. Just Dad and Uncle Theo.” He shrugs. “Yearly fishing trip.”

“Ah. Well, we can always go another weekend when they aren’t there.” I love the lake house. Aspen’s parents own it, but we all have a key and can use it any time. It’s about an hour from the University, but it feels like it’s miles away from everything. I miss it.

“Asp and I were talking about maybe taking a road trip to see your brother in Cali. Since it’s Asp’s last year and all.”

I open my mouth, and Drew holds up one finger. “Hold that thought.” The blender whirls to life, and after a few seconds, he hands me a strawberry daiquiri. “Do I not get a Jäger bomb?” I nod to the drink next to him.

“Hell no,” he laughs. “Jäger makes the undies drop. Yours are staying put tonight. Mine, however, are not.”

I take the drink and shrug. My panties weren’t coming off anyway, but it’s nice to know I have back up in case Vance takes this invite as a code word for hookup. “So, we’re taking a road trip soon?”

Drew shrugs a shoulder. “Bennett isn’t on board yet. I’m working on it.”

I nod. Bennett is always a tough sell. Why he’s so grouchy and responsible, we’ll never know. “Well, I’m sure if anyone can sell him, you can.”

He does this stupid little wink that makes me laugh. “Did you see that competition Malcolm is bragging about?”

I fake a gag. If there was ever someone who I loved to hate more than Sebastian, it’s Malcolm Desantis. “I try to stay clear of anything Malcolm says.”

Drew’s forehead scrunches. “But it’s a million dollars. How have you not heard about it? Isn’t the internet like your personal playground?”

“Yeah, but…”

I don’t want to tell him I already entered. For some reason, I don’t want him to know quite yet.

“But?” Drew prompts me.

“But I don’t follow Malcolm. He’s a vulture.” He never plays by the rules. Copying others and spoofing their videos is his go-to technique. He lacks originality.

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