Page 88 of Just A Little Magic

Haha, well, I’ll be going back to my little house soon, so I guess this is good practice.

Barrett

Something like that.

Owen

What’s that mean?

Barrett

Nothing except I miss you and I love you.

Owen

I love you too, Bear

Gotta go before Jakob and Rory end up in the water.

Barrett

Go save them :)TTYL

“Anders! You made it!” Rory made a running start for his bestie, who managed to catch him despite the luggage slung over his shoulders. Rory smiled up at his friend with absolute adoration, but Rory and Anders had both said they’d never had an ounce of sexual attraction toward each other. They’d been friends since the second grade and were still inseparable. I think Gabe had to accept they were a package deal when he first met Rory.

“I’m so happy to see you. Thank you for coming. You must have gotten up at the crack of dawn to get here this early.” Barrett had booked the room to include Wednesday, hoping Anders would be able to make it at the last minute.

“Yeah, I left at around five-thirty in case there was traffic out of Seattle because there’s always traffic out of Seattle. After I got through that nonsense, it was an easy drive, so no worries.”

“Did, uhhh, anyone give you a hard time about being gone?” Rory’s tone hinted he already knew the answer.

“It is what it is.” Anders sighed. “He wasn’t happy about me takin two days off, but I put my foot down.”

“Are you going to have a job when you get back?”

“I sure as fuck hope so.”

Anders became engrossed in the brochures stacked in a display case beside him and took several deep, steadying breaths. I guess that was the end of the discussion. It didn’t make sense to me why he stayed when several people, including Barrett, had offered him another position. After composing himself, he turned back around and said, “He was upset that I’ll be spending time with people outside of him or his family.”

“But he’s always invited.”

“Yeah, I know. And when I say I won’t go, he demands I do and says if I don’t, I’ll claim he’s being unfair. But when I do, he claims I’m deliberately ignoring and excluding him. It doesn’tmake any sense, and I don’t want to spend the next two days rehashing it.”

Anders plastered on what was obviously a fake smile before he added, “Can you believe I’ve never been to a spa? I don’t even know where I’m supposed to go or what I’m supposed to do.”

“Totally fine. Our lips are sealed completely.” I turned to look at Jakob and Rory with a raised brow. “Right?”

They both nodded their agreement, but I didn’t miss Rory’s scowl. I felt the same, and I knew he’d been down a longer road with Anders than me. But if that was what Anders wanted, I’d do my best to give it to him. “Our spa appointment is in about twenty minutes. Anders, do you need to grab some food?”

“Nah, I grabbed something on the road. I do need to stash my bag. Can I leave it in someone’s room until mine is ready?”

“Your room is ready. I checked you in yesterday since we didn’t know when you’d make it. The key is in my room,” I told him. “Let’s drop off your stuff. Rory and Jakob, do you want to meet us at the spa?”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Jakob bounced on his heels while trying hard to control his excitement. “It’s going to be so great.”

“Sleepover!”

“Oh my goodness, can we really?”

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