He asked, “How’s school going for you?” Pulling me away from my thoughts.
“It’s good.”
“How’s class?”
“Most of my teachers are pretty nice. The workload is less intense than I thought it’d be though.”
“You were taking college credit in high school. You’re just fucking smart.”
“You knew that?”
He nodded.
Unable to resist, I questioned, “What else do you know about me?’
He smiled. “You’re going to have to liquor me up to answer that question.”
“But we’re having such great conversation.” I moved my hands. “Let’s keep that going.”
“At whose expense?”
“Currently yours.”
“I see. You’re trying to find out all my secrets, huh?”
“As a matter of fact, I am.”
“Alright. I go first then.”
“But I just asked you my question first.”
“These are my conditions.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine.” I coughed, “Cheater.”
He gripped my thigh.
“Don’t you dare! We’re done with that game, and we’ve moved onto a new one.”
“And who won that round?”
“You just want to hear me say it.”
“And yet I’m still waiting.”
“You won, Adrian Drake,” I stated in a high-pitched voice. “Because you’re the best at everything.”
He loosened his clasp. “I’m glad you’re aware of that.”
“Okay.” I mockingly smiled. “Now answer your question.”
“You’re so bossy.”
“Come on… I know what you’re doing. You’re sidestepping my awesome game of let’s get to know each other.”
“Is that what I’m doing?”
“Stop asking a question with a question and just ask me yours.” I paused. “Please.”
“Only because you’re begging me.” He thought about it for a second. “Why don’t you have any girlfriends?’
“You’re first question is why I’m not into chicks?”
“Paige…”
“I know!” I squeezed his leg. “I’m just giving you a taste of your own medicine.”
He died laughing again.
“But to answer you, I never needed any. Cade was always there.”
“And if he wasn’t?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m referring to the future, like after college. What if you two want to live in different cities? Or travel? Or I don’t know…be on your own for a while?”
“Has Cade said—”
“No. We’re not playing that game, Paige. I’m not here to make you feel insecure about your friendship with my brother. He loves you. Nothing is ever going to change that regardless of where life takes you. I’m simply asking from genuine curiosity. You two have been best friends since I was nine. Don’t you want to experience things without him?”
“I mean...” My eyes widened. “I guess I’ve never thought about it.”
“I could be way off base here. Maybe that’s enough for you, but for me, and take this with a grain of salt, I’d need more than that.”
“I see where you’re coming from. I think about the future all the time, I’d love to see the world, travel and learn a new language. Maybe take up a hobby—”
“What about your art?”
I jerked back. “How do you know about that?”
“The first time I saw you, you were drawing on your porch swing. It looked like a portrait or something. You were biting your bottom lip and you kept sweeping the hair away from your face, putting it behind your ear. Is that why you always wear a hair tie around your wrist? For when you’re drawing?”
I was shocked.
The man rendered me speechless.
“What?”
I shook my head, bewildered.
“You don’t think I notice you?”
“I… I… I don’t know.”
“You have this amazing talent with your hands. I know you’re a business administration major, but maybe consider minoring in art or design. Just seems like a waste to not utilize that gift you have. Don’t you think?”
“I’m not that good.”
He rolled my arm over. “That’s a badass cherry. You draw that?”
I tried to pull my arm away, he wouldn’t let me. “I forgot to wash it off.”
His expression turned mischievous. “Was I your muse?”
I blushed. “I didn’t have to liquor you up at all.”
“What can I say, Paige? You bring out the best and worst in me.”
“Is that a good or bad thing?”
“That’s yet to be known.”
“So far, I think it’s better than good.”
“You mean excellent?”
I dotingly nodded.
The light turned red, and he reached over to caress the side of cheek.
“Did my answers exceed your expectations?”
“You have no idea.”
He eyed me with a grin. “I think I have some.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you saw me on my porch swing?’
“It wouldn’t change anything. I was already too late.”
“For what?”
There were moments in life when you knew they would be monumental. It was a memory you were going to carry to your grave. This was one of those instances for me.
When he simply stated…
“You were already my brother’s.”
Eighteen
Paige
About an hour and a half later, we were pulling into a boat marina in Port Charlotte.
“Are we going on a boat?”
“More like a yacht.”
“You rented a yacht for the day?”
“Mmm hmm.”
“Ah!” I jumped out of the car.
I explored my surroundings, taking notice of the huge marina holding all types of different boats and yachts as he grabbed my hand, leading me toward the most beautiful piece of machinery.