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Rowan rolled her eyes as Trent grabbed one of the suitcases and Jude got the other. “I knew you wouldn’t come if I told you Jude was coming too.”
“You’re right,” I agreed. “This feels like a setup,” I accused her. Rowan, Trent, Jude and me…yeah, that was a bit too cozy for my liking. I’d been the third wheel when I thought it was only the three of us, but I’d never had a problem doing things on my own before. But now…I was going to be stuck with Jude. I’d been hoping to use this time to get over my…crush—I cringed at the word—on him. Stuck in a house 24/7 with him was going to prove futile to my plan. I was so screwed. Unless I didn’t go. “I think I’m going to stay home.”
“Tatum, don’t make me get Trent to drag you into this car,” she warned, “you know I will.”
Judging from her serious tone and the look in her eyes, I believed her, and I knew Trent would do whatever she told him.
“Fine, I’ll go, but I won’t enjoy a minute of this vacation,” I spat venomously as I passed her on my way to the car. Staring up at Jude, I warned, “Don’t try anything.”
He chuckled and raised his hands in surrender. “I’ll try, but no promises.”
Great.
Jude opened one of the back passenger doors and waved a hand for me to get inside. With a bunch of grumbling, I finally did. I heard him laugh as the door closed and jogged around to the other side, sitting so close to me that our knees grazed.
The car we were in was some kind of fancy SUV that I knew didn’t belong to Trent or Row. I figured Trent had borrowed it from his mom, since neither of their cars were made for long distance traveling.
I hated that our spring break was so early, in April, so the weather was always cool. I really hoped it would be much warmer at the beach, but on the east coast you never knew.
Jude tapped his fingers along his jean-clad thigh to the beat of the song playing on the radio. I let out a sigh and turned to look out the window.
It was going to be a long drive.
???
“This is your beach house,” I gasped when we pulled up to the gate blocking the entrance. It wasn’t huge, but it certainly wasn’t small either. I’d been picturing a cottage. This looked like something you’d see in the movies. The siding was navy blue, with white shutters, a deck, and stairs leading up to the dark wood door. The gate swung open and Trent drove through, pushing a button to open the garage door—which he didn’t park in because there were two dune buggies and two jet skis.
“Yeaaaah!” Jude clapped his hands, “This is going to be awesome!”
We eased from the car and got our luggage from the trunk.
Jude took one of my suitcases and started wheeling it away before I could protest. I got the other, following behind him.
Trent passed us, pulling a key out of his pocket to unlock the door in the garage that led into the house.
I gasped again when I saw the interior. Everything was done in pale yellows and whites, with pops of blue here and there. It didn’t sound like it would work together, but it did.
“Welcome home,” Trent grinned, tossing his keys on the marble countertop in the kitchen. Everything was so sparkly, shiny, and new.
“This is beautiful,” I told him, looking around in awe. Before Graham’s passing, we’d vacationed twice a year but we’d never stayed anywhere this nice.
“Come on guys, I’ll show you your room.” Trent took my suitcase from my hand, starting up the steps.
“Wait,” I shook my head, stunned, “I notice you said room not rooms.”
“There’s two beds,” he winked, jogging up with my suitcase like it weighed nothing.
“Rowan!” I screamed at the top of my lungs when she came into the room. “I hate you!” I stomped up the steps, Jude following behind as he laughed hysterically. I was pissed. Actually, I was beyond pissed. I was whatever came after pissed…livid maybe? I was too mad to even think of the right word.
Trent opened a door and motioned me inside.
Sure enough, there were two queen-sized beds, so at least there was that. But it didn’t make up for the fact that I was sharing a room with Jude. I couldn’t escape him.
“Please, tell me you’re messing with me?” I begged Trent.
He shook his head. “Sorry, Tate. This is all there is right now. There’s another bedroom, but it’s used as an office. Trace and I shared this room growing up.”
I let out a heavy sigh. This was okay. I was okay. I was strong, I could make it through this week. I nodded my head and Trent left with an apologetic shake of his head.
