With the time I have left before Emmett gets here ticking in my ears, I push myself through the mass of clothes to get to the back of my closet.
The only good thing about Emmett being able to track me through the find my friends app on my phone is that I can also track him. When I checked two minutes ago, he was ten minutes away.
Which means he’s eight minutes away now, and I still need to brush my teeth…
Shit.
Desperate to find something, I start to dig through a box full of clothes I haven’t worn since high school. As I pick through the pieces, memories threaten to distract me, memories of happier days, but I shove them away.
After sorting through a bunch of worn-out stuff that I bought at Target, back when that was all I could afford, I finally stumble across a black band shirt and tug it on. It’s a little tight in the boobs, but it still seems to fit. Knowing my ass won’t squeeze into any of my old jeans, I settle on wearing a pair of red running shorts I’d normally wear to the gym and push my way back of out of the closet.
Standing in front of the mirror again, I take myself in. I look casual, like I really don’t care, which is exactly the look I’m going for.
Yanking out my hair tie, I run my fingers through my hair until it falls down my shoulders.
Makeup or no makeup?
Peering at myself, at the dark bags appearing under my eyes, I decide no makeup. I don’t want to give even a hint that I’m trying.
I stare one more time at my reflection then put my running shorts to good use and make a dash for the bathroom. After quickly brushing my teeth and pulling a brush through my hair, I’m ready to go.
I check my phone and the app shows me that Emmett is two minutes away.
Perfect timing. Just enough time, in fact, to get my butt down the stairs and out the front door before Logan or my mom wonder what’s up.
Grabbing my purse, I throw it over my shoulder and make it all the way to the front door before my mom calls out from the kitchen. “Aubrey? Is that you?”
“Yes, Mom,” I call back as I pull open the right side of the double doors. “I’m heading out for a bit. I’ll be back later tonight.”
A black Jeep Wrangler pulls up in front of the house just as I pull the door closed behind me.
Emmett hops out of the driver’s seat and comes around to open the passenger door for me.
And damn, if the way he’s dressed in his muscle-hugging black t-shirt and tight blue jeans doesn’t have me almost stumbling down the front steps to land on my face.
With his hair slicked back and his clothes ironed and wrinkle-free, he looks like he’s doing exactly what I don’t want to be doing—going on a date.
I’d pause for a moment and take in the sight of him, but I’m afraid I might freeze in place, never wanting to do anything else again.
Emmett lets out a low whistle between his teeth as he takes in the mansion behind me. “Nice place you have here.”
I’m not sure he intended to do it, but that remark has my defenses immediately shooting up.
“Yeah, it’s not mine,” I say and flash my teeth at him before I slide into my seat.
That left eyebrow of his quirks up and he looks a little surprised as he shuts my door for me.
Watching him walk around the front of the Jeep, I almost forget we’re not alone, when Casey says behind me, “Hey Bree.”
Twisting around, I offer him a smile he doesn’t see as I say, “Hey Casey.”
Nose pressed almost against the glass, Casey gawks out the window at the house like he can’t believe what he’s seeing. Twisting back around, I look out my own window, trying to see the place with his eyes.
When did such luxury and opulence become normal to me?
“Whose house is it?” Emmett asks as he slides into the driver’s seat and shuts the door.
The way he asks it has me cutting him a sideways glance. Did I detect a touch of jealousy there?