Bad Boy Best Friend

My eyes flash up to hers. She thinks I’m bothered that Blair was upset last night, but, like the asshole I am, I haven’t even thought another thing about Blair. “I’m not worried about Blair, trust me, she’s using me as much as I’m using her.”

Pain flashes before Laney’s eyes, but before I can even question it, she’s hidden it from me and stands up to gather our plates.

I follow behind her, carrying the silverware and mugs. Her parents are in the living room and we work side by side cleaning up our dishes. She’s so quiet, I can’t help but ask her, “Hey, you okay?”

She flicks some soapy water at me, laughing. “Yes, I’m okay. I told you I was, and I meant it. I’m just glad to be home.”

“Me too,” I tell her. She’s looking up at me, and I see so much in that look. I almost—fuck, I almost lean down to kiss her, but she hits me with another spray of the water. “Hey, I’m out of shirts, Laney Bug, if you get this one wet.”

Her eyes get big and I know she’s thinking back to me shirtless and that connection we had back in the driveway. I have to get out of here before I say or do something stupid. I dry the last plate and stack it up in the cabinet. Luckily, Julia still has everything the same in her kitchen and I know exactly where to put it.

“I have to get to work, but you’ll come in, right? Tomorrow?”

She has the dish towel I just laid down in her hands, wringing it. “Yep, I’ll be there, bright and early.”

I barely nod my head before walking by the living room and thanking Julia for the breakfast and reminding Jerry to bring the Bronco in for me to look at the AC before I bolt out the door. I try to put all thoughts of Laney out of my head, but as I am backing out, I see her watching me from the porch and I’m pretty sure she’s as confused as I am right now. I’m so fucked, I tell myself as I pull out faster than I thought, squealing the tires.

7

Laney

“One thing at a time, pumpkin,” my dad says, looking over my shoulder at the homes for sale section in the paper. “Don’t you need to get work lined up first?”

“Yes, that’s true. Luckily, Austin gave me a job working at the mechanic shop. It’s not teaching, but it’s money coming in, and Keith and I were able to sell the apartment right away so I’ve got that money coming in to help get into a house.”

He nods his head and settles beside me on the couch. Mom is on the other couch reading, but I can tell she’s paying attention to us because she keeps looking at us over her book. Dad clears his throat and pushes his glasses up his nose. “I heard you got a job working with Austin but thought it was only temporary while the girl on maternity leave is out.”

With a sigh I admit, “That’s true. It’s only temporary.” I was opting to look on the hopeful side and bank on a teaching job turning up by then. My dad has never been the jump and hope sort. He’d build that bridge with his own hands if he had to, but he wasn’t going to jump until he had somewhere safe to land.

After I rushed into the engagement with Keith, it makes me think maybe I should probably err on the side of caution.

My dad gives me a side hug on the couch. “There’s always new homes coming up for sale. No need to rush things. Don’t you like staying in your old room? We sure are glad to have you home.”

We chat about my plans and I promise not to zoom off to the city again, feeling touched when he tells me how much he’s missed getting to see me on a regular basis.

My mom just sits there and nods her head, but I can see she has something to say. She’s been quiet since Austin left this morning, but instead of asking her about it, I leave it be. I know my mom, and she likes to think about things before she comes forth with them. She analyzes every side of a situation before she speaks her piece.

After we wind down for the evening, I go to my room to get ready for bed. My plan is to turn in early, but when I go to lay out what I’ll wear to my first day at the mechanic shop, I can’t decide what to wear.

Finally, I laugh and remind myself that my attraction to Austin can’t be entertained or it will threaten our friendship, which is too important to risk.