Page 2 of Let Me Love You

Blake folds her arms. “No, ‘cause you guys suck.”

“I’m sorry; how is this our fault?” Ash counters.

The girl has the audacity to pout as she glowers at us from across the room. “Because you all decided to be born earlier than me and had a head start on college.”

“Yeah, like it was our choice,” I say with a laugh.

“I’m so bummed I didn’t graduate with you guys this year.” Blake’s frown deepens. “Do you know how bad it's going to suck living here without all of you?”

“So youaregoing to renew your contract?” I ask.

“I would if you weren’t going to be kicked out by the end of summer. At least I’d have one familiar face here next year.”

Yeah, it would be really nice to have something familiar and stable instead of being tossed out onto my ass by the end of the summer. Then again, I should probably be grateful our landlord was willing to give me eighty-two extra days to get my shit together before kicking me to the curb so she could make space for some new LAU freshmen. Most landlords would’ve kicked me out by graduation, but Gertie didn’t. Maybe the lady does have a heart.

“If you're not renewing your contract, where are you going to go, Blake?” Ash asks.

“Not all of our boyfriends have invited us to move in with them,” Blake replies cheekily. “When are you going to let us come see your new fancy-schmancy place?”

“It’s nothing crazy,” Ash deflects. “Only a little apartment—”

“That happens to be right across from the school where you’re teaching,” Blake points out.

“I heard it has a pond. And ducks,” I add. “If that isn’t thoughtful of Colt, I don’t know what is.”

Ash bites her thumbnail, grinning shamelessly. “He is pretty thoughtful, isn’t he?”

Nose scrunching, Blake grabs her phone and stands up, heading toward the kitchen from the family room. “Gag.You’re talking about my brother, remember?”

“Is Ash getting all swoony over Colt again?” Kate inquires as she walks down the hallway from the bedrooms.

“Like you’re one to talk,” I tease. “We’ve all seen you with Mack.”

“Uh, if I remember correctly, you’re the one who told me to jump his bones,” she quips.

The girl has a point, and I don’t regret it in the slightest. Macklin’s a catch. Even I could see it. It isn’t my fault our girl needed a little push to give him a chance.

“And I regret nothing,” I reply. “Although, I am a little jealous you’re moving in with him.”

“Yeah, his place is gorgeous,” Blake agrees.

It really is.

Hidden in the woods. Away from the hustle and bustle and chaos. It’s their own little oasis tucked away in the mountains.

“I mean, it just made sense,” Kate defends. “My lease was ending, I was graduating, and he’ll be on the road a lot for work. We wanted to be able to see each other as much as possible.”

“You don’t need to justify it to us,” I remind her, popping another chip into my mouth. “Seriously. We’re happy for you and Mack.”

“So happy,” Blake agrees with a gleam in her eyes. “Now I can hold it over Theo’s head whenever I want something.”

I snort into my now empty bag of chips, then toss it into the trash can.

Theo is Blake’s boyfriend. He’s also Macklin Taylor’s younger brother. Blake has no problem comparing the two whenever it suits her or when she wants to get under Theo’s skin. As we’ve all seen, the boy’s competitive with a capital C, and Blake isn’t afraid to extort that side of him.

“And when are you planning on cashing it in?” Kate prods.

“Meh. I haven’t decided yet. However, I need booze if I’m gonna make my decision about renewing my lease or not. Who’s busy tonight?”

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