Page 35 of Don't Think

James reaches for one, and my heart lurches before I quickly swat his hand away.

He yanks his hand back, rubbing it. “Ouch, dude! What the hell?”

“They’re acollection,” I say, eyes still on the shelf. “You think they’re gonna want your grubby hands leaving prints all over them?” I say with a chuckle.

He rolls his eyes and mutters, “Rich people and their collectibles.”

“Well, well. What do we have here?” Gareth says, grunting while he bends to join us. “Oh, shit. They have Black Sabbath,” he says, reaching for the vinyl, and my heart plummets—again.

James whacks Gareth quickly on the hand before he can reach it, and it takes everything in me not to burst out laughing at the look of betrayal on Gareth’s face.

He shakes his hand out before giving James a death glare. “The hell?”

“Jax said they’re collectibles. Don’t touch them with your nasty hands,” James says with a smirk. “Plus, I just wanted to slap you.”

“So, people just collect these things and don’t even listen to them? What the hell’s the point in that?” he asks while standing back up.

James shrugs. “Just to say you have it, I guess.”

I scoff before looking up at Gareth. “They hold value when you take care of them. Like this one.” I point to the Led Zeppelin LP resting on the end. “This one’s gotta be worth something.”

“Whatever you say,” he mutters, shaking his head.

I watch him turn to walk away and catch Allie still standing where I left her. Except now, she’s talking with Ana and her other friend who I still can’t remember her damn name. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but I can see the way Allie has splashes of red spreading across her neck while she keeps shaking her head, biting back a smile.

I can’t place my finger on what exactly it is about her that draws me to her. The way she has my curiosity piqued every time we meet and how much I just want to know more. Her voice is quickly becoming my favorite sound with the way her laugh is so light but is still full of life at the same time.

It’s definitely a weird feeling, but I’ll just chalk it up to an innocent attraction. There’s nothing else to really call it. She’s gorgeous, and sweet, but there’s nothing to pursue here. She even said this wasn’t her house, so clearly she’s just on vacation and will likely be returning to a whole ass family when she leaves here.

But there’s nothing wrong with new friends, right?

Are you really on vacation if you don’t meet at leastonenew person?

Chapter Eleven

Allie

I’m not sure what’s funnier—watching a six-foot-something man get pulled away like a ragdoll, or the fact that I’m pretty sure my toddler would’ve put up more of a fight.

He even trips over his own feet, and I have to slap a hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing out loud, but I fail miserably.

But of course, he’s too sweet to say no.

My eyes flick back to the acoustic on the wall, and my shoulders sink a little.

I’d give anything to know what happened to the girl who used to stay up all night just to figure out a new chord. Or the one who spent entire weekends holed up in her room, scribbling out lyrics with hope they’d turn into something real.

Honestly, I don’t even know if I could play anymore, it’s beenthatlong. And music isn’t like riding a bike. It’s one of thosethings you have to keep chasing. You can’t just stash it in the back of your brain for over ten years and expect it to still be there.

Ana and Nora ditch the couch and head straight for me the second they realize I’m standing here alone. Nora’s eyes are as wide as freaking saucers while Ana’s never looked more relaxed in her entire life.

She likes to claim she’s an introvert, but I know her better than she thinks. Sheabsolutelyinvited them over for the social interaction. Watching me panic was just a bonus for her.

“So,” Ana says, barely holding in a laugh. “Did he propose? Or did he find a mystery crumb on the floor and tell you howdisgustingyou are?”

My face instantly goes up in flames, and I send a silent prayer that the guys didn’t hear that. I’ve already spiraled enough over them being here, I don’t need themknowingit.

I want them to feel normal, and not like they have to live up to any high standards. Because theyarejust normal people at the end of the day.