Page 48 of Never Date A Player
“Oh, well, you see—Jaeger’s gonna stay with us for a bit.”
“He’s living with us…along with your brother?”
She raises her shoulders sheepishly. “Yes?”
I’ve never lived with a guy before, not even one of my mom’s boyfriends. Mom was smart enough to make their visits temporary. Now I’m living with two?
I scratch my forehead. “Is he sleeping in that?”
Cali pats the side of the tent. The industrial material doesn’t quiver. “Yeah, isn’t it awesome? I’ll be in here with him, so you’ll have the room to yourself.”
Cali and I have shared the single bedroom all summer. The chalet has an extra bed in the loft above the kitchen, but the ladder is a death trap. We stuck Tyler up there.
Jaeger pops his head out of his new bedroom and greets me before moving on to manly pursuits, like setting up a battery-operated lantern and hammering in a two-foot tent post with the heel of his giant boot.
“Okay, well, enjoy. I’m going inside.”
Cali gives me an openmouthed smile. “Oh, we will.”
Did not need to hear that. I owe Jaeger for setting up their love nest outside.
I slump on the couch and stare at my phone. Tyler’s out and Cali’s occupied. She didn’t wonder at my early return, which goes to show how distractedly happy she is in her new relationship. I’m not sure why Jaeger is living on our patio. I imagine it has something to do with his ex-girlfriend. At least he and Cali are holding strong. Whatever’s up with his ex, it hasn’t pulled them apart. I’ll wait until we’re alone to tell Cali about Drake and my visit with management.
I pull up Nessa’s contact and type a text.
Gen: What are you up to? Didn’t see you at work and they sent me home early. Want to get together?
I’m heating up a frozen burrito—or three—when my phone buzzes.
Nessa: Come to the party!!! Timber Boathouse. DJ, free alcohol!! It’s a friend of a friend’s twenty-fifth.
That’s a lot of exclamation points. I’m thinking Nessa already tapped into several of those free drinks. Not sure I’m up for a party, but it’s better than sitting at home by myself. Cali’s too busy with Jaeger to hang out.
Gen: Okay, but where the hell is the Timber Boathouse??
She sends me convoluted directions I’m hoping will make sense once I get there. My phone buzzes with another text.
Nessa: Dress up. It’s cocktail formal.
Dress up I can do. My wannabe French mother instilled a sense of formality in me from an early age. I keep cocktail dresses on hand—mainly because my mom shows up wherever I am and drags me to the fanciest restaurants in town. It’s a survival tactic. Bring a dress, or be severely underdressed and embarrassed.
“You’re wearing that?” Cali says with an approving smile as I step out to say goodbye. “Hot, girl, very hot. You get ’em.”
I glance down at my dress. It is a bit daring. Drake is a complete psycho, but I didn’t let him intimidate me. Standing up to him felt good tonight, and I guess the confidence shows.
A whistle comes from behind. Tyler shuts the front door and scans my outfit. “Nice. Why so dressed—” His eyes catch on the tent visible through the living room window. “What the fuck is that?”
“That is Cali and Jaeger’s love nest.”
“What? Why?”
“I’d rather not know what they’re going to be doing with it. I’m taking off.”
His jaw clenches, a shiver jolting his body. “Think I’ll leave too.”
“Pretty sure the party I’m going to welcomes outsiders. Nessa will be there.” I raise my eyebrows.
“Nessa?” Tyler glances at my black cocktail dress and frowns. “Do I have to dress up? I didn’t bring a suit.”
