“Of course she does,” Noah says as he starts the car. “Who doesn’t want to go surfing with us after spending a week at the beach. Did you gals even go into the ocean?”
“Yes, we did. We went parasailing, scuba diving, and rented jet skis,” Peyton says. She pinches Noah’s cheek. Their cuteness should make me sick, but I want what they have. I want to be happy and in love. I want people to look at me and whomever I’m with, be it Ben or someone else, and roll their eyes and be jealous of the love we’re sharing.
“So, what do you say?” Peyton asks.
The idea is tempting, but being at my parents keeps me from facing my demons unless I can somehow convince Ben to go. Maybe we need a weekend away so we can hash everything out. “No, I think I’m going to go home and see if I can corner Ben.”
“You make Ben sound like a missing dog or something.”
“Sometimes I feel like he is.” Instead of engaging in more conversation, I look out the window and watch the passing scenery. Someday, I’m going to be a tourist and visit all the sites and do the tours of the movie studios. I want to see where the magic happens. I know everything there is about the music industry, but not the silver screen.
“Do you want to grab something to eat before I take you home?” Noah asks.
“No, thanks. I’m assuming Quinn did some grocery shopping while we were gone.”
“Or had a massive party and your apartment is destroyed,” Peyton adds.
I laugh. “Quinn and ‘party’ don’t go hand in hand. He may have invited a lady friend over, but definitely no party.”
“Does he have a girlfriend?” Peyton turns in her seat to look at me. “He never brings anyone to Mom and Dad’s.”
“I don’t know. He doesn’t bring anyone home.”
“Huh.” Peyton looks upset that I don’t have the answer she’s looking for. I know Quinn goes on dates, but he’s never been serious about someone enough to bring her home to meet me, and if she’s not meeting me, I can guarantee he’s not bringing her to meet the rest of the family.
“I just want him to be happy,” Peyton says. Noah places his hand on her leg.
“I’m sure he is, babe.”
“Do you know something?” she asks her fiancé.
Noah shakes his head. “Nope, and even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”
“That’s not fair. You’re not supposed to keep secrets from me.”
“Don’t consider it a secret, P. Consider it as Noah protecting his best friend from the embarrassment Quinn’s sisters are sure to show if he were to bring a girl home,” I point out. The truth is, we’d probably gush over her, so I don’t blame Quinn one bit.
“What your sister said, sweetie.” Noah winks at Peyton, who giggles. Okay, now I’m about to be sick because their overly sweet and the mushy crap is too much. Thankfully, I’m going home because I don’t know if I could take a two-hour car ride with them.
Noah offers to carry my bag up to my apartment, but I tell him I can do it. Peyton slides out of the car and pulls me into her arms. “I had the most amazing week,” she says.
“Me too, P. We needed it.” I hug her one more time. “Thanks for picking me up, Noah.”
“Of course, Elle.”
Waving goodbye, I rush toward my complex. There’s a gathering going on at the pool. I pause long enough to see if Ben’s there. He’s not there, not that I really expected him to be. The door to my apartment is unlocked. Inside, Quinn is sitting in his chair, playing his guitar.
“Hey, how was your trip? I’ve been waiting for you to call.”
“Sorry, Noah picked us up. I thought he would’ve let you know.”
Quinn shakes his head.
“Sorry.” I hear a door shut and it sounds like it’s coming from Ben’s apartment. “I’ll be right back.” It takes me under thirty seconds to get from my living room to Ben’s front door. I knock, but the voice coming from the other side is female. My heart drops with the realization that I’m too late. He’s been distant because he’s met someone and didn’t think he could tell me.
Back in my apartment, I shut the door and lean up against it. Quinn is staring at me, probably wondering if I’m about to have a breakdown. He doesn’t know I’ve been sober since Ben’s birthday. It’s nothing I’ve broadcasted anywhere.
“Something wrong?” Quinn asks.