In Too Deep

Chloe led Ronandown the block back to where she was parked by the Rose. Although he wasn’t talking, the air around them was charged. She knew it wasn’t just her wild imagination. He felt it too—he just didn’t like it. She unlocked the doors to her car and walked around to the driver’s side. Ronan stood and stared.

“You’re kidding, right?”

“About?”

“I forgot you drove a little shitbox.”

“Come on, big boy. It won’t be that bad. I’m sure you can fit.”

He heaved a sigh. “At least it’s a short trip.”

Chloe got behind the wheel and swallowed a laugh as Ronan had to fold almost in half to fit. He banged his knee on the dash while trying to shift the seat back. Even in its furthest position, his legs had no room.

“This is a death trap.”

“Not for normal-sized people. I have plenty of room.” She waved her arms around to prove her point.

“If I do that, you’re gonna lose a window.”

“I guess no car sex for us.”

He groaned and she snickered as she started the engine. “Where to?”

He gave her directions and she pulled into the street.

“As long as you’re trapped in the car with me, will you explain why you avoid me? You admit to being attracted to me, and while there was an issue in our past, we’re both adults now. Nothing illegal. We’re both consenting.”

He sighed again, as if out of patience. “Because you’re Chloe McCarthy. You’re sweet. Although with as bossy as you’ve been lately, I might reconsider that description. Besides, you’ve never been a no-strings kind of girl.”

“I’m just looking for a good time. Aren’t you? We can spend a night together.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes. “Maybe a few nights if it’s good.”

“It would be better than good.”

“Is that a promise?”

“I’ve never had any complaints. But it still ain’t happening.”

She huffed. “Whatever. Your loss.”

They drove the rest of the way in silence. Although she was far from drunk, she was mellow because of the alcohol she’d had, and she was trying not to let his constant rejection sting. She wanted to play it off like it didn’t matter because it shouldn’t. It wasn’t like she couldn’t find a guy to screw. But Ronan was like Holy Grail level. Something she’d wanted for so long that he became a fantasy.

Maybe it was time to let the dream fade into obscurity. Even without a chance of fulfilling her fantasy, would she still be willing to help him? She wished she could be petty and say no, but she would because it was the right thing to do. If she could help him find the answers he’d been waiting twenty years for, she’d do it.

“I have to say that this ride has been pretty unsatisfactory. Brendan said we should fight or fuck and you just took one off the table.” She turned to look at him. “I bet I could take you now, seeing as you’re all scrunched up in my car.”

“You could take me even if I wasn’t. I would never hurt you.”

While she’d been joking, his comment was serious. Then again, so much about Ronan was always serious. But she believed him. Regardless of his stance of keeping his distance, he wanted her. She just couldn’t understand why he kept pushing her away. It made her want to keep poking at him.

When they got to his street, she slowly inched down the block. “You have a house?”

“Yeah. Why do you sound so surprised?”

“I don’t know too many people our age who own a house. A few, like Erin, who are married, but no one single.”

“That’s me up on the right. It’s a fixer-upper, so it’s not much to look at.”

“Really?” She couldn’t keep the excitement from her voice. She loved home renovation shows. “Can I see?”

He gave her side-eye, but said, “Sure.”

As she inched past his house, she saw someone sitting on his steps. “Looks like you got company.”

“What the hell is Declan doing here?”

She found a spot to park near the end of the block—her small car was able to squeeze into a tiny spot, but she didn’t point that out to him. They got out and he waited for her on the sidewalk.

“I haven’t done much work yet. Mostly demo, so it still looks like an abandoned house.”

“Is that your way of warning me off? Not gonna work. I watch all of the home makeover shows. I’m fascinated by the before and after.”

“This is mostly before.” He stopped in front of the small, yellow brick bungalow. It was cute and nothing like she would’ve imagined for him.

Declan stood. “About time.”

“What are you doing here?” Ronan asked.

“Brendan said you needed some help on your house.” He pointed to the bag at his feet. “I figured I could crash here while I work.” Then he leaned around Ronan. “Hey, Chloe.”

“Hi.” She didn’t know Declan well. He was a couple of years younger than she was. She had been in the same grade as the twins and Declan had often wanted to hang out with them, but she’d preferred spending time with Brendan and Ronan. Still did.

Ronan led them up the concrete front stairs and unlocked the door. “Brendan had no business calling you. I planned to do that tomorrow. And I don’t have a spare bed.”

Declan hefted his bag and lifted a shoulder. “I’m not picky. The floor’s good.”

Didn’t he have a place to sleep?

“But, uh, you know, if Chloe’s spending the night...”

“No worries, Declan. Ronan and I are just friends. I want to check out his renovation. I won’t be spending the night.”

No matter how much I might want to.