Page 45 of An Uphill Battle

“Drake Collins,” Seraphine spits, saving me from having to reply. “I’d say it’s nice to see you, but this time, I don’t think I’d mean it. You have a nice night.” She loops one arm around me and the other around Magnolia, swiveling us toward theexit.

“It was a real pleasure meetin’ y’all,” Kasey yells toward our retreating backs—salt in the wound andwhatnot.

24

Drake

“Any word from lover-girl?”Kasey asks, tossing a handful of popcorn into hermouth.

I glance up from my cell to where she’s laid out on my couch in a pair of baggy-ass sweats and a hoodie. “Not gonna lie, I had my doubts about your plan, and while Azalea hasn’t outright admitted she’s jealous or that she still wants me, it’s been clear in those pretty green eyes of hers every time she’s seen ustogether.”

“Oh my God, right? Her cheeks get all pink and her eyes get glassy. Not trying to be mean, but it’s pure gold watching her fight her feelings and the urge to tear you a new one for flaunting me around.” Kasey laughs, but I struggle to see thehumor.

For almost two weeks now, we’ve been playing cat and canary with Azalea, thanks to Myla Rose giving me the inside scoop. I hated putting her in that position—betraying her best friend’s trust—but now that Myles has Cash and Brody, she’s all about everyone getting their own happily ever after, and she’s hardcore Team Drazzy, so she begrudgingly agreed to help us once I told her ourplan.

That’s not to say she warmed right up to Kaseyeither.

Hell.No.

She downright interrogated her, like a dad with his daughter’s prom date. “What are your intentions with our friend?” she asked, dead-fucking-serious. It was awkward, but so worth it when she and Kasey shook hands and parted on good terms. Not sure if they’ll ever be friends, but I can hope, because on the real... Kasey’s a coolchick.

“So, do you know her plans for this weekend?” Kasey asks, kicking her feet up onto my coffeetable.

“Nah, no word yet. Simon might have everyone over. You think you can handle the entire group atonce?”

“That depends, Drake. Are they gonna all gang up on me like catty bitches?” She quirks her brow, emphasizing herpoint.

“Well, you already know Myla Rose and Cash like you, now that they know what we’re really doing. And Magnolia’s so damn shy she’s about scared of her own shadow. Simon generally likes everyone. Seraphine and Azalea, though... I’m not sosure.”

“Then count me in. Now, shut up so we can watch thegame.”

* * *

Iliftmy fist to knock on Kasey’s front door, but it swings open before I can make contact. “Do I look okay?” Kasey asks, bouncing on the balls of herfeet.

Sliding my eyes down her body, I take in her thick navy sweater and torn-up jeans with a pair of bright red Chucks on her feet. “Yup, you look fine,” I tell her, causing her to punch me in the shoulder. “Ow, woman! What thehell?”

“Were you this clueless with Azalea?” she demands to know, and I sputter. “Because lemme tell you, buddy, if you were—it was probably part of theproblem.”

“I...Um—”

“Yeah, thought so. C’mon, let’s go. Pro tip. Try and act like you’re crazy attracted to me, or our plan won’twork.”

“Kase, I got this,” I tell her as she hefts herself up and into mytruck.

“Ooh, look at us, nicknamesalready.”

The drive to Simon’s passes in a flash, and my once-confident exterior begins to crumble the minute I spot Azalea’s little death-trap parked in the driveway. Sensing my distress, Kasey nudges my shoulder and asks, “You okay,dude?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m good. It’s just that every time we’ve ‘ran into’ her, it’s been in a public place. A controlled environment, where we all just sort of existed next to one another—lots of looking, very little talking. Here, there’ll be no barriers or walls oranything.”

“It’ll be fine, Drake. Hell, maybe this’ll light a fire under her ass and get her back into yourarms.”

I sure hope so, because damn, I’m not sure how much longer I can faux-date Kasey. Sure, she’s cute as hell and sweet, but hugging on her and being affectionate with her is about like cozying up to one of the guys.Hardpass.

I lead Kasey through the back gate to Simon’s huge deck. During our long Alabama summers, he has a badass mist system to keep it cool, and during our brief winters, he has a few strategically placed space heaters to keep it nice andtoasty.

“Wow, this is amazing!” Kasey squeals, taking in the Christmas lights dangling from the beams of the pergola covering the shaded part of thedeck.

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