Page 52 of Dream Lover
“You’re such a shit.”
“Don’t act like you never thought about dating my brother, and like you aren’t smiling at the thought of him showing up tonight.”
“Fine. Do I look okay?”
“You’ve got a little salsa on your chin, but you forget Drew has seen you at your worst and at your best.”
“Yeah, I know.” We busied ourselves getting things ready.
Conner was the first to show. “Can’t stay away, can you, buttercup?” He leaned down to kiss my forehead.
“Guilty as charged.”
“What are you two up to tonight? Raising a little hell?”
“We’ve been placing our bets on whether or not Drew and Rebecca make up.”
“So he really went through with it?”
“Mhmm. I was graced with a visit from Becky. She accused me of ruining their relationship. Like I can control what my brother does.”
“He won’t have her back.”
“How do you know?” Carrie questioned Conner.
“When has Drew ever gone back to anything after quitting? Remember when he thought he wanted to play baseball, though, we all knew football was his passion. Or the time he thought he wanted to be a journalist.”
“This is different. Rebecca isn’t a hobby. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with the woman.” Carrie downed more sangria while her brother studied her. I could see the dots connecting in his head. I squeezed his hand under the table.
“What do you want on your tacos?” I pushed my chair back, changing the subject.
“Here you guys are.” Drew came around the side of the house. “I knocked for five minutes.”
There was something different about him. The way he carried himself felt lighter. His jaw wasn’t tight like it had been the week we spent in Las Vegas. He was the Drew before getting wrapped up in Rebecca. His shirt was untucked and hair a bit mussed. I missed him so much.
He came to the table and looked down at us.
“Have a drink.” Carrie passed him a glass.
“Thanks, Carebear.” I didn’t miss the wink he shot her way or the way her blue eyes lit up hearing the nickname he used on her when we were kids.
“No problem.”
Drew took up the chair between Carrie and Conner and grabbed a plate. “This is what I needed. Good food and the people I care about most. To new beginnings.” He held up his glass, and the rest of us followed.
“To fresh starts,” Carrie announced, bumping her glass with his.
“New rule. Every Sunday we get together for dinner, or at least once a month.” I looked around the table waiting for them each to agree.
“I think it sounds perfect, babe.”
“I’d like that,” Carrie said, going for more chips and salsa.
“I’m game.” Drew dug into his tacos, and I couldn’t stop smiling.
“Well, isn’t this cute. The four amigos back together again. I bet you’re all happy that Drew walked out on me,” Rebecca said snidely as she entered my backyard, shocking the shit out of all of us.
As our gazes all snapped that way, a ripple went through us. One of warning and tension. I could almost taste it in the air with her presence. With every step she took closer it became thicker and thicker.
