Page 99 of Love, Luck & Clusterf*ck

“Did you?”

“Yeah, but who says everyone has to live the same life?”

I couldn’t imagine Dre ever talking that way. “So you’re not thinking any differently about me right now, about anything?”

“No.”

I was so incredibly overwhelmed by the current moment that I almost couldn’t handle it. I was going to blow apart if I didn’t break away. He’d already dropped his hand, but my skin was still pulsing with his energy. We were feeling each other without touching.

I grabbed my drink and sipped it slowly, wishing the pizza would hurry up. I could sense him watching me, but he didn’t say anything. When the doorbell finally did ring, I jumped up and walked over with the cash.

“Did you take the money from the drawer?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Perry.”

“I did. Don’t worry about it.” I failed to mention that I’d used half of mine too. I paid the guy, then set the pizza on the table. He started to get up, but I stuck out my hand. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Getting more ice. And plates.”

“No, you’re not. I’ll get it.”

“What do you think I’d be doing if you weren’t here?”

I headed to the kitchen. “But I am, so deal with it.” I stacked a couple plates, rummaged around for napkins—which I enjoyed—and pulled another couple drinks from the fridge. I’d decided on one more since figuring out that my buzz was coming from him, not thealcohol. Unless my liver could find a way to metabolizehimquicker, I was shit outta luck.

I opened the freezer—what, no ice cream?—and took out an ice pack. Then I brought it all back to the family room.

“Checking out my kitchen again?”

I rolled my eyes. “You wish you were that interesting.”

We ate in silence since our mouths were too full. At least mine was. I couldn’t remembereverliking a pizza so much.

“Mmm,” I finally said after my third slice. “This is fantastic. I wish this place were around by me.”

I paused, then actually chuckled over that. I didn’thavea place anymore. I could pitch a tent right next to Leo’s if I wanted and eat there every damn day. I’d find it more amusing if it weren’t so sad.

Stephen’s expression was gentle. “Cancel the room, Perry. Just stay here.” I shook my head, but it took some effort. The idea of getting into my car alone and driving to an empty hotel room sounded depressing. “If Dre doesn’t even fucking care enough to let you stay with him, then why should you?”

I stopped mid-chew, noticing the way his eyes had turned harder. I swallowed, then washed it down with half a bottle.

“That’s not the problem,” I said softly.

He raked his hand through his hair. “Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be saying anything at all. I never should’ve put you in that position. I just don’t understand why you’re not staying with him if you need a place to go. He’s your fucking boyfriend. And even though my offer is completely innocent, I don’t understand why he’s not here trying to kick my ass for even suggesting it.”

I smiled at his intensity. He seemed like the type to fight hard for someone he loved.

“Dre and I… we’re fighting right now.”

“That doesn’t excuse it.”

I didn’t want to talk about Dre anymore. “Even after I told youwhat I did to your sister, you’re still offering me a place to stay?”

“Well, now that you mention it, I am a little scared that I’ll wake up in the middle of the night to see you standing over me with a glass of water.”

“I’m serious.”

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