The Off Limits Rule (It Happened in Nashville 1)

“Then why’d you take my sweatshirt after he took yours?”

“‘Cause…” I’m glad he’s hugging me so he doesn’t catch my defeated look. “It had been six months since I’d seen you and I missed you?” I can’t let Drew know I also found Tim annoying at times or else he’ll add it to his ongoing list titled: Drew Knows Better Than Lucy. It is a solid list, though.

This time, he jabs a finger in my most ticklish spot on my ribs before releasing me. “Take your shower, woman. And hurry up, please, or we’re gonna be late.”

Well, joke’s on him, because I don’t even want to go out with him and his stupid buddy, and I don’t care one bit if we’re late. In fact, I feel like teaching my brother a lesson, so I take an extra-long time, reenacting every sad shower scene I’ve ever seen, letting the spray of the water rush over my face as sad music plays on the speaker in my bedroom.

Bang, bang, bang.

I jump out of my sopping wet skin and press myself back against the tile, certain I’m about to be murdered by a polite killer who likes to knock before he enters, but then Drew’s voice booms through the door. “I’m seconds from cutting off the hot water, and don’t think I won’t. Also, that’s enough Sarah McLachlan.” He turns off my Super Sad Mix and blares “Ice Ice Baby” instead.

Turd face.

I want to be furious with Drew, but instead, I’m using all my willpower to not burst out laughing.

I’m a whiny baby all the way to the boat dock. The sun is too bright. My head hurts. There’s nothing good on the radio. Honestly, I’m surprised Drew didn’t unlock the doors, pull the handle, and push me out on the interstate. That’s what I would have done if the roles were reversed, because even I don’t want to hang out with me right now. Even so, he took my annoyance in stride, turning off the radio, giving me his sunglasses, offering to stop for Advil. Really, it’s suspicious how syrupy sweet my br

other is being.

At the last minute, I even asked him if we could make a pit stop at our mom and dad’s house so I could check on Levi. Let’s be honest, Levi is with his two favorite people in the world, so he’s not missing me. My mom has probably fed him so many sugary treats he’s completely forgotten my name.

When the door opens and I see my little cutie, blond hair all askew in various cowlicks, eyes bright with sugar overdose, and white powder mysteriously coating his lips, my suspicions are confirmed.

I glance down at my child and then up at his grandparents standing at attention behind him, mischief written all over their faces. “This is a surprise drop-by…you know, to make sure everyone’s following the rules,” I say, drawling out the last word like I’m a detective tilting her aviators down, completely on to their tricks.

Both grandparents make a show of gulping nervously, and I abruptly drop down to get eye level with Levi. I reach out and run a finger across his top lip, bringing the powdered sugar close to my eye for inspection. “Mmhmm…just what I thought. Donut residue.” He giggles and licks his lip nearly up to his nose to get every particle of sugar he can. I taught him well.

My mom puts her hand on Levi’s shoulder and squeezes. “Stay strong, buddy.”

I narrow my eyes up at my mother (also my favorite person in the world) and shoot to my feet, getting in her face like a drill sergeant. “How many?” My voice growls menacingly. Levi giggles again, and I glance down at him. “Do you think this is funny, little man?”

“Mom, you’re so silly.”

“How many?” I repeat again to my mom, undeterred by the adorable chunky-cheeked boy. She lifts her chin and makes a show of pressing her lips closed. “I see…that’s how it’s going to be? Fine. I know who to go to when I want the truth.”

“Luce, come on, we gotta go,” Drew says, sounding a little impatient behind me. Someone has lost his funny bone.

I hold up my finger behind me in his direction and shush him before taking a slow step directly in front of my dad. His eyes widen, and I know he’ll be an easy crack. “So, Mr. Marshall, are you going to talk, or are we going to have to do this the hard way—”

“THREE!” he blurts, and then my mom shoots him the stink eye.

I grin and push my imaginary glasses back up the bridge of my nose. “Thought so. Sir, ma’am, do you happen to know the effects too much sugar has on—”

I don’t get to finish my sentence because Drew picks me up over his shoulder and starts carrying me away. “Bye, guys,” he says with a smile and wave. “We’ll have our phones if you need us.”

“WAIT! Let me at least kiss my child goodbye, you big oaf.”

He pauses and backs up a few steps, bending down so I’m lowered to lip level with Levi. He laughs and laughs at the sight of me on “Uncle Drew’s” shoulder, so much so that I’m barely able to plant a kiss on his sugary cheek from all his giggling.

“Love you, baby. Be good for Grammy and Grandad,” I tell him, feeling my heart squeeze a little painfully at the thought of leaving him again. Other than the times I had to work, Levi and I haven’t spent much time apart this last year. Although I’m happy to see him reunited with family, I also have this strong desire to stay close to him. Plus, stuffing my face with donuts sounds infinitely better than going out with Drew and his buddy on the boat.

“Have fun, you two,” say my parents, breaking character to wrap an arm around each other and wave as Drew walks us away and deposits me in the front seat of his car.

After our twenty-minute drive, we pull into the marina, and I take my sweet time getting out of the car. Maybe if I move slow enough, he’ll leave me behind and just let me curl up in a depressed ball under a tree somewhere.

He can see right through my shenanigans. “Goodness, Lucy, do I have to handcuff you to me? You’re going on this boat. Quit being a pain in the butt and get moving.”

“What happened to Mr. Congeniality from the car ride?” I ask, getting out and slamming my door shut.