Page 64 of Shut Up and Drive

“Thane, wait.”

I turn, expecting a sweet face full of gratitude for my thoughtfulness. Instead, she shoves the plate into my chest, scattering Cheetos all over the patio.

“I don’t know what you think you’re up to, but you need to stop,” she hisses, looking over her shoulder to see if Brad is aware. He’s not.

“It’s just a sandwich,” I protest.

“You and I both know it’s not. Between the Oreos, the coffee, and nowthis?”

I push her plate back into herhands, and pop one of her grapes into my mouth. I can’t help but look over at Brad before shooting her a cocky grin.

“It’s just a sandwich, Fina. Eat.”

Without giving her a chance to argue, I step through the door and shut it behind me. At the back of the line, I grab my sourdough slices, and promptly put them back when I realize that all the lunch meat is gone. I look outside at Sera and smile as she sits with her back to Brad and takes a bite of the sandwich I made for her.

Totally worth it.

Chapter 25

SHE DOESN’T KNOW THAT I KNOW

Thane

“What is with that guy?” I complain as I pace around the fire pit at Jamie’s lake house later that day. I’ve successfully avoided Sera and Bradley most of the morning, but the way he’s been acting still has me tied up in knots.

Bash nods in agreement. “I have no idea what she sees in him. In just the small interactions I’ve had so far, he’s not my favorite.”

“Why would Sera waste her time on a guy like that?”

“Is he good-looking?” Jamie asks.

Bash and I exchange puzzled glances. “What kind of question is that?” he asks.

“A legitimate one. Hotter guys get away with way more than mid-looking ones do.”

I shrug. “I mean, he’s not hideous…”

“…But his personality is,” Bash finishes mysentence.

We fist-bump and laugh.

“But seriously, guys,” Jamie says, “there has to be a reason why she allows him to treat her so badly. I, for one, would tell you to pound sand if you fat-shamed me,” she says, pointing at Bash.

“I would never,” he replies. “Besides, you’re perfect. No notes, no critiques, ten out of ten.”

She sits on his lap and kisses his forehead. “And that’s why I’m marrying you.”

“Whenisthe big day, anyway?” I ask, trying to distract my train of thought with a different direction.

“We are hoping to get married right here on the propertynextFourth of July weekend,” Jamie says. “That is, if Bash doesn’t get transferred.”

Her words slam into my chest.

That was our dream.

Fina and I talked at length the summer we confessed our feelings to each other about how fun it would be to get married where it all began. And now, Bash is getting my dream, and I am watching mydream girlget mistreated by a complete jerk.

“I can’t do this,” I say under my breath. “I’m going to go for a walk.”