Page 37 of Who The Hell Are You?

He looks down to his phone and finally sets the destination; my car responds as the screen shows the map.

“Has Harris and Emery already set off?”

“Yeah they set off early this morning, Harris wanted to take some photos in the Moors and he promised to take Em for breakfast.”

Miles makes an interesting but aloof noise.

“I think Em's creativity rubbed off on him, he got into photography as a hobby. He's taken some great landscape pictures of our hometown.”

“Is that the only thing rubbing off?”

I nearly choked on my own spit, “W-what?” I start to drive again, taking the first turn, picking up speed to match the steady traffic we're in.

Miles turns in his seat, “So you're telling me neither of them have ever, you know?”

I sigh. “Nah. They're just really close.”

I'm watching the road, but I know he's looking at me exactly how everyone else does about this topic. “Cassie, I see the way Em looks at him. Harris is so attentive with him.”

“Honestly, they're just best friends. Em has dated shit head guys before, and Harris has had a few girlfriends, but nothing has ever worked out. Either way, I think they're just close because we were brought up like family.”

“Do either of them act that way with you?” I think over how they both cuddle, spend time together and Harris tends to hover over whatever Em is doing like a fly, but before I can say anything Miles already continues. “They don't. The three of you are close, but the two of them; they're close.”

I continue to shake my head. “Harris is straight, he's said before he's not into guys.”

“Didn't you think that at one point?” He's got me there, but I don't know how else to explain how my best friends have more of a co-dependent relationship than anything sexual. “Look, I'm sorry for saying anything. Sometimes I can be nosey and my brain doesn't have that stop button everyone else does.”

I can't help but laugh, not at him of course, it's just too cute how having no filter is such an endearing quality that is so Miley. “Don't ever say sorry, put your foot in your mouth all you want around me.”

He gently pokes me in the rib and I laugh more, returning both my hands to the wheel. “You say that now, but wait till you’re begging me to stop talking.”

I pump my brows, “I can make you stop without begging.” Now Miles is choking and I decide to end his misery early. “C’mon car DJ, my ears are getting used to silence. Also, I got cold coffee in the bag.”

His eyes light up like it's Christmas as he digs back into the carrier and places both cans in the cupholder. Grabbing his phone, he presses a few things before music starts to filter out of my car.

I hear the hiss and bubble, before realising what song he's selected. “Is this the monster mash?”

He nods proudly and no amount of biting my lip can stop the massive smile from taking over my face. “Yep, it's my spooky season playlist! I added some songs for you too, but mostly it's either movie songs or the twilight soundtrack.”

“Ok, I am fully on board and committed to spooky season with you.”

It's the right thing to have said, because he squeezed the bat plushie to his chest, looking flushed and so happy.

We’re the last to pull up to the cabin, which in fact is a towering dark wooden A-frame structure that looks big enough to host a hefty guest list. Already sitting outside in chairs around a firepit is Harris, Em, Teddy in a soft brown fleece sweater set and his other housemate Micah who I met briefly, wrapped up in a massive coat. Two other friends I recognise from their English lit course are here too. The only female is Faye, who is here with her boyfriend, making me a little nervous because she's close friends with Grace. As we exit the car and I open one of the backdoors to pull out our bags, everyone waves and whistles, Faye smiling over so I don't read any apprehension from her. Like I said, I don't care; but Miles seems incredibly bothered when we bump into her. I know Grace said something to him at the meal, but I didn't ask. I get the feeling Em didn't take to Grace much, but he's so excited whenever I talk about Miles or they get to spend time together.

“Take your time!” Teddy hollers, lifting up a flute glass of sparkly liquid. Everyone seems to have popped the alcohol early, even Harris who toasts with his own glass.

“I am not an early riser! You know this.” Miles shouts back, offering to take his bag from me but I just shake my head and sling it over my body with mine. He holds his bat to his chest still and we walk together up to the cabin, which upon coming closer to, extends off into two sections at the back which I assume are bedrooms. The back is stone, but the main building is all dark logs and a full glass front which will be perfect to look out into the woods. String lights hang over a patio and there’s more seating, which I bet will be so cosy at night. I see an uncovered hot tub, wafts of steam coming off the water and if I'd have known I'd have brought my swim shorts.

“Oh man, I didn't bring anything to go in with.” I eye the tub, not realising how close Miles is to me till I feel his hot breath ghost my ear.

“Don't worry, we can just go in naked.”

My entire body arches at his words and the sensation of his tongue brushing the side of my jaw makes my toes curl.

“Fuck, you're not fair.” I whine and he chuckles rather manically.

Squeezing my hips from behind, he lets me go and starts towards the cabin, only turning his head to wink at me. “C’mon, let's go find our rooms. This place has enough we all get one each—Faye and Mason are obviously sharing.”