Page 408 of Rock Me All Night
His cheeks flush. He's nervous. It must be about Kara. Drew plays his cards pretty close to the vest. Except when it's about her. It's written all over his face, how much he loves her. I want to have that one day. With someone who deserves me.
Whatever this is, I want to help. And I'm infinitely grateful for the distraction.
We walk for a few blocks. The air is warm today. Sunny and bright. There are no signs of last night's rain.
Drew breaks the silence. "You've been hanging out with Tom."
Oh, no. Please don't let this be an ambush. My brother and I are actually getting along for once. Like we're allies and not enemies in theyou should make up with Mom—no way, she's a bitchbattle.
Drew stops at a streetlight and runs a hand through his hair. "I'm glad you're here. Are you?"
"Yeah. Hazel is amazing. And it's nice to see you. To hang out doing little things. TV and breakfast and whatever. I've been keeping to myself the last few years. I've been lonely." The moment the words are out of my mouth, I know they're true. I've been lonely the last few years. Being around people who care about me is nice. Really nice.
"Yeah." Drew smiles. "The guys can be idiots, but they're sweet deep down. Everyone seems to like you."
Warmth spreads through my stomach. I actually have friends. Or I'm starting to.
The walk sign turns on and we make our way across the street. Drew moves in a little closer. Drops his voice.
"Tom seems to like you."
I'm not sure where this is going, but I'm not optimistic. I clear my throat. "Does he?"
"He's a good guy deep down. If you can get past him being with a different girl every night. Only... Wil, I want you to be happy. I want you to have love in your life. Makes me sick thinking that asshole was the last guy you were with."
It's almost as if he's saying I have his blessing to go after Tom. Almost but not quite.
Drew looks me in the eyes. "He tries to help but it tends to be on his terms. He means well but, given your history, I'm not sure it's the best idea."
I stare back at Drew. "Don't be coy. You're getting at something."
"He's controlling."
I bite my lip. Tom is pushy, yeah, but is he really controlling? It's hard to say. I don't have a great concept of what is or isn't normal. I nod a thank you to Drew. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Do you have a thing for him?"
"We're just friends."
"Not what I asked."
"He's..." I take a deep breath. "He's a really appealing guy in a lot of ways."
"I can talk to him."
"And say what?"
"He's a player, Wil. I'm not saying there's no chance he'll ever have something real, but I don't want him playing you." Drew's hands curl into fists. "If he is playing you, I'll never fucking forgive him."
"Will you hurt him?"
"I'm trying not to go there." Drew looks me in the eyes. "Do you want me to talk to him?"
"No. That's okay. I want to focus on my career right now. And not on guys." It's true. It's also true that I don't quite trust Drew to have the calm, even conversation he's alluding to.
I really do want to focus on my career. Working under Hazel is the kind of opportunity that doesn't come along every day.
I look back to Drew to see if he's buying my explanation but he's staring at something else. A jewelry store.
