Page 77 of Saints & Sailors

Antwon’s lips curled, his gaze sliding over to Rick. “What y’all studying, anatomy?”

Rick snorted and shook his head, staying out of it.

Dreux was cringing, but still, he took one look at me and another at Antwon. “Maybe if you got new material, a sense of style, and, I don’t know, maybe some chivalry, you wouldn’t spend your Friday nights alone, ’Twon.”

Grady had to cover his mouth to hide his chortling, while Rick made no effort to stop himself from blatantly laughing at Antwon’s expense.

Put on the spot or not, Antwon took the insult on the chin as he chuckled himself. “Easy.”

At the other end of the room, toward the back door, Dreux cut a corner and opened a door that held a staircase leading up. Dreux led me all the way up the steps, stopping to collect a colorful duffle bag, before opening up access to the roof. Once outside, the Georgian sun graced us in full-force. I watched as Dreux tilted his head back and squeezed his eyes shut, basking in the sun’s rays.

Rays that loved him as they poured down all over his handsome features. He was practically glowing.

Dreux unzipped the duffle and pulled out a blanket. He found a spot to his liking and spread it out and set his things down along with mine.

“You mind music?” Dreux asked with his phone in hand. “I know some people can’t function with noise, but I like a soundtrack.”

I shrugged. “It’s okay.”

Dreux’s fingers glided across his screen and soon music was playing, filling the space between us. He got down on the thick colorful striped blanket and dug into his bookbag for a notebook and a textbook. Dreux soon sat cross-legged, going and scribbling some essay for what looked like an English assignment. For a while I watched him, simply existing, admittedly mesmerized by the sight of him.

Dreux had to be the most peaceful person I knew. Calm personified.

I let go and sat down, eyeing my own books and not feeling up to the task of buckling down like Dreux was.

The nice day all around us mixed with Dreux’s soundtrack were too distracting.

“What is this?” I wondered.

Dreux kept writing, not even bothering to check his music as he said, “Fleetwood Mac.”

The name sounded familiar, definitely an older band I’d heard referenced somewhere before.

I went and laid on my back, soaking in the lyrics as some woman sang about silver springs. It wasn’t too deep into the song that I realized I liked the sound and the band. “This is amazing.”

Homework could wait, in that moment, all I cared about was becoming better acquainted with Fleetwood Mac. Their lyrics washed over me in melodic waves, taking me under their majestic sea. Some songs, were sung by a woman, others by a man—all of them were fantastic. The harmonies, the instruments, that classic sound packed into each record. God, I loved older music.

“Well, that’s enough of that.” Dreux came and laid beside me, facing the same blue sky I was. “Fleetwood is the shit.”

I couldn’t deny the truth in his words. “They’re honestly fucking incredible.”

Dreux nudged me. “See, when you stop listening to⁠—”

“Stop!” I blurted out, unable to stop myself from laughing at his repeated taunting. To get him back, I grabbed his arm and peeled the beaded bracelet off his wrist and put it on.

I held up my wrist, examining the bracelet against my pale skin. The turquoise little beads reminded me of the sea. The specs of white marble reminded me of storm clouds. It was fitting really.

Call me a thief, but I wanted the bracelet. It matched me through and through. I was a storm—a hurricane, and Dreux was a calm summer breeze. It was better off with me.

“Hey.” Dreux’s hand covered my wrist.

I slipped through his grasp, sliding my hand until it was in sync with his palm. Our hands lined up, and slowly our fingers entwined. Dreux’s grip was strong, firm, and he was holding my hand. Sending a jolt right to my chest.

Whoa.

Peeking at him, I fought a smile.

He was blushing too.