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“Okay. Hey, Dillon,” I said.
“Hi,” he replied with a small wave before Ruby took his hand and led him down the hall.
My smile turned into a wider one when I noticed Drake and Texas watching them disappear.
“Shouldn’t someone keep an eye on them?” Texas asked.
“They’ll be fine,” I told him.
They still stared down the hall.
“Your ’rents ain’t home, so maybe they should come out here and watch a movie with us?” Texas suggested.
“Nah, Ruby’s probably got Dillon on the bed—” Laughter bubbled out of me when Texas and Drake stood up. “Jesus, relax you two. Ruby knows to keep her door open, and Dillon’s a nice guy.”
Drake snorted. “Even nice guys have dirty thoughts.”
“Both of you sit down so we can start this movie.” I lifted my legs and crossed them under me. Thankfully, my back had healed so the pain wasn’t a constant reminder. I picked up the bowl and placed it on my lap. I managed a handful before the bowl was stolen from me by Texas.
“You gotta share, woman.” He sat back down with the bowl between us again and ate some more.
“I’m just going to check something in my room,” Drake said.
“Drake, sit down.”
He grumbled under his breath but did sit back down. He grabbed the remote and pressed Play. I took the bowl and held it out to Drake. He shook his head and showed me a bag of lolly snakes. He loved anything gummy.
For some reason, as I thought of gummies, it reminded me of Samuel and the phone call I made to him the day after he’d popped in. I was going to do the whole “it’s not you, it’s me” thing in person, but I hadn’t been ready to go out in public and pretend everything was all right. Samuel had taken it well. Besides, he’d already decided we weren’t suited, which was for the best, because I certainly didn’t even want to think about dating or a relationship with him, or anyone for that matter.
As we watched the movie, I couldn’t help but take a side glance at Texas every now and then. If Cody had been living with us, I would understand why Texas kept coming around, even though he was supposed to live in Melbourne. They were friends who used to hang out every chance they got. Over the years, I’d lost count of the times Dad would get a pickup call from Cody, asking him to go collect him, Texas, and Ruin after they’d gone out on the town. Now with Cody living in his own place, it didn’t make sense why Texas would stop by all the time, and in a way, I kind of didn’t want to think about it because….
My pulse started to race, but I refused to let my mind take me where it wanted to go. His visits meant nothing for us. Heck, maybe he wanted to becomemyfriend because Cody was so busy, and Texas had decided to stick around Ballarat for a while to watch over his new business. Whatever his reason was for dropping in, it did help distract me and give me a moment of peace in my mind.
A sudden jump scare on the television had Texas nearly knocking over the popcorn bowl.
Drake started laughing. “Are you actually scared?”
“What? No way, arsehole.”
“It’s okay if you are, Texas,” I said with a grin.
He glared at me. “Just watch the show, Maya.”
We fell silent and watched more. I probably wasn’t supposed to admit it, but I did like his company. Even if he was here as a friend.
“Hey, Texas,” Drake started.
“Yeah? Ah fuck, he’s right there,” he yelled at the movie.
Drake chuckled. “I heard Dad say you’re now livin’ in Ballarat.”
I froze, a handful of popcorn halfway to my mouth.
“You heard right.”
Drake grinned. “That’s wicked, man. You gonna run your tattoo shop?”
“That’s the plan. Why, you lookin’ for some ink?” Texas smirked.
