Bad Influence (Bad Love 3)

Still, I can’t stay there. Jesse being the biggest reason. Besides the fact that I’d have to see him way more than I’d like to, how would that make me look? Like the stalker of the century, that’s how. Hey, I know we almost hooked up and then you ghosted me, but I’m going to move in with you and your sister. Hope you don’t mind!

Not happening.

“Look, I really appreciate it, but I’ll figure something else out.” I stuff my CD player into my backpack and Lo flattens her lips, like she wants to tease me about it, but refrains.

“Listen, I get it. You don’t want to take handouts. But it’s temporary. Your situation has an expiration date. You’re my friend. I fail to see the problem here.”

“I don’t know.” I sigh, rubbing at my forehead. It’s tempting. Really tempting. But it also feels like asking for trouble.

“You can stay in my brother’s room until we get the spare room set up.”

I give her an incredulous look, instantly shaking my head. Lo smiles her wide smile, laughing at my reaction. “I should probably mention that Jess doesn’t currently live there.”

Oh. Oh. I assumed he did. Well, that changes things. Slightly.

“Okay,” I concede. “It’s just for two months. I promise.”

“Deal. Let’s go.”

“What, now?”

“Yeah. From the looks of it, you could use a shower,” she says bluntly, pointing at my crazy hair and wrinkled clothes from the day before.

“I have to get to class.” I laugh, trying to smooth down my bed head with my hands. I’ll have to settle for brushing my teeth and a quick change of clothes in Halston’s dorm.

“You have my number?” Lo asks, and I nod. Of course I do. I work for her. “Let me know when you’re coming over.”

“Are you sure Dare will be okay with this?”

“You let me deal with that.”

Super comforting. Note the sarcasm. I swing my bag onto my shoulder and slip into my shoes before hurrying toward the door. If I leave now, I can make it on foot without being late.

“Allison,” Lo shouts my name just as I’m pushing the door open. I pause, turning to face her.

“What’s up?”

She gestures to her chin. “At least wipe the drool first.”

“How well do you know this chick?” Dylan asks belatedly. I told him I was moving in with Lo about an hour ago, and he just blurted it out. Clearly, he’s still thinking about it. I tilt my head to see him better from my position—lying on the couch with my head on his lap—as we watch some Quentin Tarantino movie.

“Well enough.” I lift a shoulder. He peers down at me, those dark eyes framed by thick lashes. Silver hoop in his lip glinting in the light cast by the TV.

“Any roommates?”

“Just her boyfriend.” I don’t mention the fact that Lo is Jesse’s brother since he seems to have some weird beef with him. I sit up and face him, crossing my legs on the cushion. “Why have you been so weird with me lately?” I finally ask the question that’s been bugging me.

Dylan works his jaw, his eyes locked onto the screen, not meeting mine. “I haven’t.”

“You’ve been ignoring me,” I accuse. He doesn’t deny it. “And now you’re getting all big-brother-y on me.”

He huffs, shaking his head. “What?” I push, needing him to give me something, but getting Dylan to talk to me is like pulling teeth. I know he had it rough growing up, and whatever he went through has made him more guarded than Fort Knox.

“I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”

“Like what?”

“Not important. So, you want a ride? Show me your new place?” Dylan helped me grab the rest of my stuff from Halston’s dorm after class, so it’s already in his car.