Page 24 of Only Some Stars Fall

“Why do you even bother to lock your car? We are in the middle of nowhere, isn’t it a known thing that people from Maine don’t lock anything? And who in their right mind would break into this hunk of junk?” I’m avoiding her question, and I pray she lets my whereabouts remain unknown.

Alex starts the car, but before pulling out of the spot, she looks at me. “Yes, that’s true, but aren’t you the queen of keeping things locked up?” I quickly look away and blush as she snickers and drops the shifter into drive.

“So here’s the deal.”Alex plants her hands down on the table where I am slurping the last of my cereal milk. The morning light creates patterns on the small breakfast nook table, which I trace with my finger.

“I already don’t like the sound of this.”

“My dad needs a ride to his job site this evening. There is a truck up there they need brought back.”

“Okay, so why doesn’t he just carpool up to the site like he regularly does?” I ask skeptically.

“He would, but the guy he was scheduled to ride with got sick this morning. Everyone else is already up there.” She huffs while she pours herself a bowl of cereal. “He asked me if I could drive him up, and to be honest, I feel bad saying no. I would have to stay the night. Dad says it’s not safe driving the loggingroads with no cell service in the dark.” She huffs again as if her father is being paranoid.

“Uh, ya think?” The fact that she would contemplate driving back alone after the extensive amount of horror movies we have watched is completely certifiable.

She ignores my sarcastic remarks, continuing, “But I haven’t spent much time with him one-on-one since we got here, he’s completely opened his house to us, and he’s been so easy to live with, even fun.”

She isn’t wrong there. He hasn’t been home that much, and when he is, he’s nothing but nice to us, has no rules, and is quite the chef. It’s nice to have a night or two a week off from eating at the resort and dealing with the awful tension and moods of the one and only Hux Anderson.

The thought of him immediately fills my stomach with anxiety. What will he be like after last night? I’d like to think his attitude toward me will have changed, but I’m too scared to find out and prefer to avoid the establishment until my shift tomorrow.

“As much as I hate it, that makes sense, and I think you should go. I still have that stack of movies and romance novels that I’ve been neglecting. I’ll just lock the door, keep a wood axe nearby, and hope I don’t get murdered while you’re gone.”

Alex shifts from one foot to the other, looking apprehensive, and I know it’s not about the logging roads.

“Yeah… so that’s the thing. I have a dinner shift tonight, and you know how the restaurant’s been, they are way too busy to be any more short-staffed. I really need you to pick up my shift for me. Pretty please?” Alex drops her bottom lip and lets out an obnoxious whine.

“Are you serious? I can’t work with Hux! I can’t workforHux! You know this will turn into a disaster. In the last month, whenever he and I are anywhere near one another, it turns intoa complete shitshow.” I practically yell, bits of leftover Cheerios spraying the table.

“Oh, don’t even give me that. Last night, you looked anything but satisfied when you got into the car.” She smirks.

“I’m sorry, but did you completely forget about the meltdown he seemed to have at all of us, especially Nick, before I stormed out?”

“Pretty, pretty, please! I’ve been making really good tips, you could use the extra money. A trip to Los Angeles is in your future, and you’ve waitressed and taken care of crappier people back at the country club. This will be easy for you.”

“After tonight, I will be in the market for a new best friend, so a trip to California won’t be necessary,” I sarcastically say as I stand and put my bowl in the sink.

“Thank you, Evie Baby! Have I told you you’re my favorite lately?” She comes up, hugs me from behind, and nuzzles her face into my neck.

“Uh-huh, finish your breakfast and get ready. It’s going to finally be hot out today, and Nick’s picking us up at the end of the dock in an hour. Would be great if mywholeday off isn’t ruined.” I stomp upstairs to change into my swimsuit.

“Look at you, stringing along two guys at once. I’ve trained you well. Pick out something scandalous up there, grandma!” I hear Alex laugh as she heads back to the table to finish her cereal.

Is that what I’m doing? How can I be responsible for Hux’s unpredictable behavior? Today, he’ll most likely act as if he doesn’t even know me. Why should that ruin my chances to explore something with Nick, who, in theory, is exactly what I’m looking for in a guy?

I mean, nothing has even happened with Nick and me yet. Maybe he’s just being a nice guy… or maybe he’s not all that interested.

I check myself out in the bedroom’s full-length mirror, turning one way and my head the other to make sure everything is appropriately covered up.

Why am I even overthinking this?Nothing is going on between Nick and I, and there sure as hell isn’t anything going on with Hux, well, according to Hux, anyway. Yes, we have kissed… well, twice, but the first time didn’t stop him from being an ass, so why would I even begin to hope this last kiss will?

After a moment’s longer pause in the mirror, I strip the one-piece off and reach into the closet for the stringier bikini I swore I’d never wear in public.

I shake Alex’s arm,which hangs lifelessly off the bow bench she is currently asleep on.

“Five more minutes!” she barks back, throwing her arm over her sunglasses.

“Sorry, princess, but it’s almost four o’clock! I lost track of time, but I need to be at Anderson’s in fifteen minutes to startyourshift.” I jab my finger into her side, causing her to squeal and sit up.

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