Page 32 of Tell Me When It's Over

It’s the first time he’s said my name, taking me off guard. I think Harmony nods but I’m not sure. Next thing I know, it’s just Garrick and me staring at each other. Well, I’m staring. He’s grinning.

“Not a Bishop, huh?”

Shaking myself out of it, I try to find the best way to approach his unexpected visit. “I’m simply stating a fact. That was never my last name.”

Garrick’s head cocks. “I think Mia would see that differently. After all, she asked me to pick you up from your shift today because she didn’t want you taking public transit or hitchhiking with some probable serial killer.”

Ignoring his ridiculous comment, my mouth goes dry. “She what?”

His lips kick up at the corners. “She heard your roommate had to deal with some last-minute business tonight, so she wants you over for dinner. Lucky for all of you, I’m going to be there as well. You happened to be on my way.”

All I can do is blink.

He pushes off the counter. “Before you pass out on me, we won’t be alone. My little brother is waiting in the car for us. Don’t worry, I cracked the window and gave him water.”

“I’m sorry,” I blurt in confusion. “But I didn’t even know you and Mia talked, much less hung out.” I don’t know how to even broach the brother topic. When he mentioned him before, I didn’t realize he was serious about us ever meeting.

He points to my pocket. “Your not-blood-related-sister and I have business together as well. She said she texted you about it, but you didn’t answer. Must be that good employee ethic. I’ll make sure to drop a note in the suggestion box that tells them to make you employee of the month.”

“We don’t have a suggestion box,” I murmur dumbly. Or employee of the month, last I knew. Neither of that seems important now.

He winks and rests against one of the tables like he’s really waiting for me. It takes me a few more seconds to wrap my head around the fact he’s here, willing to drive me around for a second time. I make sure Mr. Warren isn’t around b

efore pulling my phone out of my back pocket and checking my messages to be sure this isn’t some prank.

Mia: You’re coming to dinner at my house tonight. Sending someone to get you.

Mia: No filming. Promise.

The second text lessens the tension in my chest, but it doesn’t stop me from glancing up through my lashes at the guy I used to crush on hard when I was younger. Full on, kissed the poster of him on my wall kind of crush.

“Oh God,” I groan to myself. Not quietly enough, though, because he laughs.

After the party at Mia’s, there was some speculation about me online. Not a lot because the episode hasn’t aired, but a few pictures surfaced of my profile talking to Kyler and Dylan. Some people mentioned who I was because they remembered my stint with the Bishops from my early teen years, others asked why I’m there along with other not so nice words. Mia told me to ignore the posts and Kyler insisted that I not read everything I see online or I’d just get upset with the “greedy assholes who have to know everybody’s business”. It’s hard though. I never liked being the center of attention, but I know since signing all the forms stating that I agreed to be shown on The Casanova’s, that I will be.

It’s for Mia, I remind myself every time nerves bubble in my stomach over it.

Harmony eventually comes back out and keeps looking between me and Garrick while we finish closing. Her eyes are big, and her hands are twitchy, making me think she’s a fan. Who wouldn’t be? Mr. Warren left already according to her, thank God, because I don’t want him to have more ammunition against me. Even someone like him would know who Garrick is. He has daughters who are probably obsessed with the thirty-year-old Australian.

It’s another fifteen minutes before my apron is hung up in the backroom, my timecard is punched, and I’m saying goodbye to Harmony and Quinn. Quinn waves, but Harmony is too busy on her phone doing who knows what to even acknowledge me.

“Can we please go?” I whisper, keeping my eyes on the ground as we walk toward a black car with tinted windows. It’s the only one in this section of parking lot, so I can only assume it’s his. I don’t question where his silver one is as he opens the back door and gestures for me to slide in. Kyler has two different cars, Mia has at least three, and they’ve both told me I could borrow one to get to and from work, but I still refuse.

My attention is instantly drawn to the brown-haired boy in the passenger seat. His curly hair is weighed down with a pair of bright red headphones. Beats, I think. He must sense me staring because he looks back at me with a curious look on his face, as I silently gape at him for way too long.

Garrick is rounding the front of the car and opening the driver’s side door when his brother says, “You’re not what I was expecting.”

I don’t know why his lack of accent has my lips parting, but it does. “You’re American.”

Both men chuckle at my obvious commentary. But it’s the brother who replies, “Would you believe I get that a lot?”

Blushing, I feel like a ditz. Of course, he gets that a lot. Duh. “Sorry, uh…”

“Chase,” he supplies, offering me a lopsided smile that looks boyish. I realize in that instant that he’s young. Well, younger than Garrick—probably my age.

Garrick pulls out onto the road, ignoring the car that’s honking at him as he speeds into a different lane. “Chase, this is Leighton. Leighton, my little brother Chase.”

“Why are you saying her name like that?”

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