Page 16 of The Perfect Steal

“Just wait. When I can finally drive, you’ll be taking things out of the car every time you leave it.”

I laughed and drove the familiar route to my cousin’s house. There were a few other cars parked along the curb, and we had to go up a ways before I could find a spot. I put the car in park, lifting my gaze as I was ready to switch off the lights.

In front of us was a green Hummer with the license plate that saidBase4Life.

John had already opened the door when I said, “Nope, we’re going home. I’m not going in there.”

He leaned down, holding on to the roof with his hands. “Are you insane? We just drove over here after you insisted I come. We’re here. Let’s go.”

I let my head fall back against the headrest. “Can I just come back and pick you up? It will be easier. And I’m not dressed for something like this.”

“And waste the gas you’ve been so bugged about paying for the past week since you cut your hours? No.”

Nate Everton. The last person I wanted to see when I was dressed so casually. Then again, I should have figured he would be invited since he and Colt were nearly inseparable outside school.

“I’ll just run home and change.” I moved the key back toward the ignition, but John began tugging at my arm to get me out of the car.

“I asked if that was what you were wearing. Why are you being weird?”

“I’m not being weird. I got here, and now I don’t feel like socializing.” With Nate, that is.

“Let’s go. If it’s lame, we can leave after a few minutes. You know Hazel won’t let it go until you head in there.”

I blew out a breath and opened the door, grateful I’d worn shorts. It was still Texas, after all, and the temperature was probably seventy degrees, which was perfect.

John walked up the front steps and opened the door, stepping into the house. No, we weren’t stalkers. That was just how my family operated.

“Hey! You made it!” Hazel ran up and gave us both a hug. “I was just getting a few things to snack on. Will you help me take this stuff down?” On the kitchen table sat a large mound of random foods and dressings.

“How many people are down there?” I asked, wondering if she was forming her own army.

“A few. Not everyone could make it tonight. There’s some big dance competition today, and a lot of my friends are a part of it.”

That’s probably what Kate had done today since she was into dance and even taught some of the classes at the studio where she worked. Or she was hanging out with Dax. Not that any of my friends had messaged me about what they were up to this weekend.

The thought of Kate’s boyfriend brought to mind the other baseball player I would rather not see at the moment. Nate.

I glanced around the rooms I could see, hoping to avoid him at all costs. The rational side of my brain kept saying I wouldn’t have to call him about the assignment if I talked to him, but grabbing John and heading back to the house was sounding more and more appealing.

We’d had some strange breakthrough the past couple of days, and now I was self-conscious that I wasn’t all dolled up like Hazel.

I stepped closer to Hazel once John had descended the stairs with a load of food.

“What is this? I don’t know any of your friends.”

Hazel’s eyes went wide. “True, I just know you’ve been stressed, and with your first game on the horizon, I figured you could use some fun to loosen up.”

I narrowed my gaze at her, and she squirmed. “Okay, maybe I wanted you to hang out with Nate a little bit. I mean, he’s practically your height, so I figured it would work out between the two of you.”

My mouth dropped open. There were no words to go against that lame argument. And then all my thoughts combined, and I couldn’t hold back the tide.

“You thought we would be good together because we’re the same height—not even, though, since I’m at least an inch taller.” I paused to give her a moment to think. “Have you not been listening? I’m not looking for a relationship right now.”

Hazel pinched her lips together, making an O shape. “Seriously, Brynn. You can’t let your parents’ arguing make you incapable of having your own happy relationship.”

I glanced away, trying to keep a wave of tears back. She’d nailed it on the head. “I can’t handle another heartbreak right now, Haze. There is so much crap going on at home that dragging someone into it wouldn’t be fair.”

Okay, I was starting to sound like some of the characters in the Broadway shows Hazel loved so much. Drama, drama, drama.

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