Page 91 of The Has-Been

She moans, throwing her head back. She’s on her phone for a few minutes, and then she points her finger up ahead. “There is a Comfort Inn that way. I just booked us a room.” She tucks her phone back in her pocket as she waves me to go on. “Double beds. Before you start to panic, you prude!” Aubrey winks.

I wasn’t even thinking about that. Guess I really am a prude nowadays.

I just don’t want to rush anything with Aubrey.

It’s not because I don’t want to. Because trust me—I DO.

But I’ve been given a second chance, and I want to do this the right way.

I don’t want history to repeat itself.

After navigating traffic and the worsening roads, we pull into the hotel’s parking lot.

Aubrey dials Reese to update her on what’s going on. But her cousin’s phone must be on speaker because Reid yells out, “Hearteater!” We both roll our eyes.

Aubrey starts explaining, “The interstate is closed in both directions. We could take the backroads, but it’s taking two hours, and all the traffic is being routed there. So, we are getting a hotel and leaving early in the morning. Is it snowing there?” she asks.

“Yeah, like crazy up here. Brennan and June are staying at his parents’ house for the night because they got stuck in traffic too.” Reese explains. “There’s already like six inches here.”

“More like seven—I’ve even been told eight,” Reid corrects in the background.

The phone cuts out as Reese clearly scolds Reid. I chuckle as I hear him curse in the background. I don’t think Aubrey picks up on what exactly Reid means because she shakes her head, “Yeah, love you lots, Reid, but you clearly need a new tape measure cause there is absolutely no way—maybe six. Maybe?…” She’s looking outside, clearly trying to determine how much snow is covering the ground. She still stares out the window as she undoes an Airhead wrapper and rips a piece off with her teeth.

Reese laughs so hard, I swear she drops the phone. When a voice booms over Aubrey’s speaker, I know it’s Reid before he even talks. “Aubs baby, if you want to see what seven inches looks like, all you have to do is ask me.”

Aubrey chokes on her Airhead as Reese yells out, “I’m hanging up now! Love you both!” She calls out with a giggle, and the call dies.

Aubrey’s mouth drops open as she swallows, cocking her head. “He wasn’t talking about the snow, was he?”

I snort, shaking my head. “No, Aubrey. He wasn’t.”

She’s quiet for a second, taking a long drag of her drink. I shut the Jeep off, but before we get out, she turns and says, as serious as ever, “Is it really?”

“If I say yes, are you going to take him up on the offer?”

She grins as she considers it, her teeth stained blue from the Airhead. But she eventually shakes her head, “No, cause I’ve got at least six inches here…more than enough to stop traffic.” She winks.

My eyes narrow on her, “You’re not talking about the snow, are you?” I counter, using her own words against her.

“No, Liam. No, I’m not.” Then she gets out and shuts the door behind her.

I curse whoever thought it was a good idea to put two beds in a single room.

CHAPTER 19

ONE BED TROPE

AUBREY

My backpack bounces on the single queen bed.

“I swear I thought it had two beds.” I lie.

I totally knew it was only a queen, but I’m never going to admit that to him.

Does that make me worse than a man? I briefly wonder before waving it off. He can tell me no if he wants. But I know he won’t.

“It’s not like we haven’t slept together before,” he says with a simple shrug, but I can see the amusement dancing in his eyes. I don’t think he’s upset with the sleeping arrangements like I’m pretending to be.