Page 55 of Buckin' Around

If Ivy was with me, never. I don’t know why I am so riled up over this. It’s Spencer. Not some guy I have feelings for. He literally pays me to care for his daughter. It’s not that much of an ask to accompany him to an event for his peace of mind... right?

I pull into the parking lot of the campus housing, having to pull over a little to let an old pickup truck pass by. A guy with a hat waves, smiling. His button-down shirt is open, his undershirt showing, and there’s a coat on the roof of his truck. Someone left in a hurry.

I beep the horn at him and wind my window down, patting the roof of my car. Hopefully he gets it.

I pull into a parking space and get out of the car.

When I look back, he’s out of his truck, grabbing the coat.

I give him a wave before grabbing my phone from my pocket. He waves and slips back in and drives off.

I’ve three messages from Stace when I finally bother to look at them.

Give me twenty, just at the town library.

Five minutes later . . .

Riley, I’m not home for another ten... Hello?

I can come to you? What did my asshat of a brother do now?

Searching the parking lot, I find her silver car, a light coat of the last snow of the season on the roof.Oh, Stace. Not as smooth as you think, babes.

I tap out a reply.

Coming up. If I see a tie on the door, too bad. I’m coming in regardless.

Geez, now you respond. Not cool Riles.

I chuckle. Someone’s pissy tonight. I make my way to the room I used to share with Stacey, and funnily enough, I don’t miss it. It feels odd to be back here, but I couldn’t spend another minute in that penthouse. I need a breather. From the apartment and the man.

I knock on the door, deciding actually barging in would test the friendship—the only friendship I have here. Stacey is throwing on a robe as she opens the door. Her cheeks are flushed and her words breathy.

“Hey, what did my dickhead brother do this time?”

I lean, looking behind her and into the apartment, entirely expecting to see she has company.

“Can I come in?”

“Oh, shoot. Of course.” Her grip on the half-open door softens as she pushes it back. I walk inside. It feels odd to be back here.

My life was much simpler when I lived here. My study was my single focus. Now, I have study, a job, a baby to take care of, and I have to live with the world’s most frustrating single man on the planet.

“Sit. Come on, spill it.” Stace drops onto the sofa and pats the cushion beside her. She always has compassion and time for me. Spencer, however, doesn’t seem to get that from her.

As she waits, searching my face like I am about to let slip something juicy she could add to her list of things to hold against her brother, I stiffen.

“Ah, he’s . . .”

Why can’t I say anything? Why do I feel the overwhelming need to protect her brother?

I put it down to his intimate connection to Ivy and try to change the subject. “He freaked out when Ivy rolled over, it was kind of sweet.”

Stace stares at me like I’m the one who’s lost it.

“I know I kind of blew in here like something was up, but I think I overreacted?” I twist my face into a cringe.

“Look, Spencer is arrogant and single-minded on the best of days. I mean, look at our parents. Is there any wonder the both of us are kind of out of touch when it comes to other people’s needs?”