The Road To Heaven (Allendale Four 3)

“Girl, what happened?”

“We were alone and things just felt…right. I decided to go for it and the next day I told him why—about the need for resolution—and I don’t know. He seemed okay with it but he hasn’t spoken to me since and I can tell there’s a vibe with the guys. I’m sure he told Oliver. He tells him everything.”

“Why haven’t you spoken to him about it?”

I shrugged. “I guess I’m afraid to. I’ve just been spending my time with Hayden, taking him to the park and stuff for fresh air. He’s the least complicated of them all.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because he has a girlfriend and he’s off limits and that means we just have to move on. Forced closure.”

Lea rubbed her forehead. “Wow. What a mess.”

“You’re telling me.”

“So did you get it with Jackson? Closure?”

I wanted to say yes, that we had sex and everything fit together like a puzzle and we were done, but that would be a lie. Having sex with Jackson only stoked some still-burning embers and I didn’t know how to handle it. Hence the avoidance.

“Like I’ve said,” I answered, “it’s really complicated.”

I picked up the party invitation taped to the mirror. It was for the season premiere, which was going to be held at a local theater next week. “You’re going to the premiere, right?”

“Yeah, probably solo. I don’t think either RJ or I are ready to go public with the whole crew.”

I laughed. “You think they don’t know?”

She looked horrified. “Do they?”

“You guys have been flirting non-stop for two weeks. I think everyone knows.”

“Shit. I guess he and I need to have a talk about this, then.”

“Well, if you want, we can go together.”

“You don’t want to find your own date? Maybe get the ball rolling for another night of ‘closure’ with one of your guys?”

I started to laugh her off, but Lea may have been on to something.

“Maybe. I’ll think it over.” I gave her a pointed look. “And you better get ready for the realities of being RJ Malone’s girlfriend.”

She groaned but there was a smile on her lips, giving me the feeling she was willing to make some sacrifices for him—which meant she really did like him.

I tucked the invitation in my pocket, thinking of the sacrifices I needed to make to finally find my footing as an adult with the Allendale Four.

I found the perfect dress at a vintage shop down the street from my apartment. The shop had been there forever and carried the faint scent of dust and mothballs, but the selection was outstanding and the owner, having known me since my high school days of dramatic fashion statements, knew what I liked.

“Stefan,” I’d said when I picked it up. “It’s perfect for the premiere.”

The older man had smiled with pleasure. “I’m thrilled you’ll be wearing something from the store to the event. So exciting.”

We’d agreed the dress needed cleaning, so I took it to the specialty shop the costumers suggested at work. The fabric was old and needed careful handling. They called for me to pick it up while dropping Hayden as his apartment, and I almost ran over Jackson backing out of the drive.

“What’s the rush?” he asked, leaning into the open window. We hadn’t spoken since he left my house that morning. “Trying to run me over?”

“Ha ha, funny. I didn’t see you back there. Why are you loitering around the driveway anyway?”

“Hoping some hot chick with questionable driving skills will notice me.”