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Meanwhile, Michael is starting at the university this summer and will stay with the girls—or Noah—until he finds his own apartment. So he came along for the ride.

I tune out while they try to figure out the new sleeping arrangements. It’s awkward and there’s no room left in place. My cue to leave.

Noah, unfortunately, comes to the same conclusion. He eventually tracks me down in the parking lot.

“I fucking knew it,” Noah says. “I knew you’d do this.”

“It’s not what it looks like, man. It’s not a hook-up. This is the real thing.”

“I’ve heard that before.” Noah leans against my car and crosses his arms.

“No you haven’t. I’ve never wanted more with anyone before and you know it.”

“All I know is that when you finally got together with Jules freshman year, the love of your fucking life, you pissed it all away. Why do you deserve another chance?”

“Because I’ve changed.”

“And you think I should look the other way?” Noah asks.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I think. I’ve been doing penance long enough. You’re happy now, man. Look at Tabby. You have everything you want. Maybe it’s time for me too.”

“What about Jules?”

“What about Jules?” I repeat. “I worship that girl, Noah. Nobody else could give her what I can. I promise you that.”

“Then why not tell her yourself? Give her the chance to make the decision. Start off on a clean slate. That’s what Tab and I did, and that’s why it works.”

“It’s not the same. Cheating is a deal-breaker for Jules; she’ll never understand. She’d bust my balls and leave me for dead if she knew what happened.”

“Fine, I’m out of it. This is between the two of you. But if you don’t treat her right, I will sing like a canary. I owe that much to Jules.”

His words are a smack across the face. I’m hearing it, but can’t believe it.

“Seriously?” I ask. “You’ll leave this up to me?”

“I don’t really think I have a choice, do you?”

He gives me that look that he has for years—like someone pissed in his Cheerios. So I have to push it. Just for grins.

“Okay, then. Does that mean I can set up a double date for tomorrow?”

“What?”

“Better to bite the bullet and just do it, dude,” I tell him. “Tab and Jules are best friends and roommates. We’ll be seeing a lot more of each other. Are you ready for that?”

“Baby steps, Sutton, baby steps.”

Well, fuck me and cue the shock and awe. In my mind, I’m doing the most obnoxious victory dance. My path to Jules is finally clear.

Maybe karma isn’t such a bitch after all.

Jules

“Tell me everything,” Tabby says, sitting on my bed the next morning at the crack of I don’t know what. It’s freaking early.

“Me too,” Michael joins in, sliding under the covers with me.

After Tabby finally told me the story of what happened at her school in Illinois—all the shit her boyfriend put her through, the assault, the public shunning—and how Michael defended her, I immediately became a fan. He’ll always be good shit in my book.

Michael is not the type of guy any girl would kick out of her bed—dark hair, blue eyes, and a body made for sin. But I’m tired.

“What are you two doing up at this hour?” I ask, yanking the covers away from him.

“I’m an early riser,” Michael says, yanking the covers back. “I’ve already been out for my run and had my shower. Plus, I have to get to the admin office right when they open to take care of all my paperwork.”

“Dude, if you’re going to live here, you have to know, I’m not a slumber-party type of gal.” I bury my head under the pillow. “I’m also not a morning person, so if you do this again, you best come in wearing a cup. Now both of you get out. I don’t need to get up for work for another hour.”

“Not a chance,” Michael says, pulling me up. “The highlight of conversation at the Nelson household is organic produce and catty banter about whose landscaping needs work in the neighborhood.” He shakes my shoulders. “Babe, I need this. So tell us, how long have you and Foster been doing the deed?”

I want to tell.

I do.

“Okay,” I lean in and Tabby squeals in delight. “It all started with a bath…”

~~~

Michael needs one of my e-cigs after I tell the tale of the Foster/Jules hook up. I’m serious. He smokes for about ten minutes before deciding we all need caffeine.

I get ready for work with time to spare, so I join Tab and Michael on the short walk to the coffee shop. The three of us are behaving like giddy little girls. It’s pretty awesome. I’ve missed my time with Tab. After being a loner for so many years, I never thought I’d depend on someone again, but Tab snaked her way into my heart.

We each get the largest French roast they have and Michael orders a cinnamon roll the size of my head. I swear my ass grows just by looking at the thing. We sit outside and watch the groggy people shuffle in.

Until Miss Jenna arrives, perfectly put together in her couture dress and five-hundred dollar shoes.

“Hi, girls,” she says, eyeing up Michael. “Who’s your friend?”

Tabby sighs. “This is my brother, Michael.”

Before Tab can continue with her introductions, Jenna takes over.

“Hi, Michael,” she says in almost a sweet voice. Almost a real voice. “I’m Jenna. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too,” Michael says with a shit-eating grin on his face.

Idiot.

Tabby levels a look at him and it’s not lost on Jenna.

“Are you here for a visit?” Jenna asks.

“No, I just moved here. Starting summer classes next week.” He waves his paper schedule.

“Yay.” Jenna leans over his shoulder and comments on his courses and professors. “I should show you around campus sometime.”

“We’ve got it covered,” Tabby snaps. “And once you leave, we’ll fill him in about you too.” Tab gives her a smile and shrug.

“Don’t believe a word they say about me.” Jenna laughs. “I’m really not that bad.” Then she winks and breezes inside.

Michael’s eyes follow her.

Moron.

“Don’t even think about it,” Tabby growls.

Michael shrugs, his stupid smile plastered across his face.

“Okay, you two.” I give them both a little pinch. “I need to go out and bring home the bacon. Which one of you is my driver today?”

“I am,” Tabby says before pointing at Michael. “You be good.”

Once we’re out of range, Tabby stops me. “How long before Jenna gets her claws into him?” she asks.

I shake the Eight Ball in my brain…
not long now.

Foster

“Is your friend better?” Charlie asks me about Jules the moment I walk into the Center. I stopped in last week to tell him I wouldn’t be around much because I had to take care of my friend. The look in his eyes about broke my heart.

Little Charlie is seven years old and he’s been coming to the Center as long as I’ve been here. I’d be lying if I didn’t say he was my favorite. He lost his mom and sister in a drunk-driving accident. His dad is still in rough shape, but he never misses a meeting. If he didn’t have to get better for Charlie’s sake, I don’t think he’d be here at all. He’s doing it all for that little guy.

“She is doing better,” I tell Charlie. “I missed hanging out with you guys, though.”

“I missed beating your butt at checkers,” he snickers.

Charlie reminds me of Tristan when he was little—short dark hair, huge brown eyes, and flashing dimples. I don’t see much of my brother these days—he’s busy being a high school senior—so Charlie fills the little bro void.

The kids here do more than that, of course. They’ve saved me so many times. I can only hope I’ve helped a few of them.

“Did you bring treats, Foster?” Lilly asks.

“I did,” I tell her before all the little wolves descend.

“What is it?” Josie tugs on my shirt.

“You guys know the drill,” I tell them, just as I do every time I’m here. “We play games and then we have the treats.
Surprise
treats. Stop messing with the system.”

Cue the moans and groans.

Charlie pulls out the board and motions for me to join him at the table.

“I’ll be back,” I tell the others.

I work my way through hugs and fist bumps before preparing for my weekly checkers beating.

Pushing the red discs in my direction, Charlie sets up his side of the board. He’s always black.

“Prepare for domination,” he says when we begin.

Domination
is exactly what it is. He wins three games to my two.

The afternoon progresses and I take my beating like a man, join the rest of the kids in a cookie decorating contest, and then we all plan a little party for a very special guest.

It’s time to let Jules in. But first I need to see how we do in the outside world, so I send Noah a quick text.

~~~

“I can’t believe you set this up,” Jules says to me while we wait in line to get movie tickets.

“Why?” I ask. “I’d say it’s about time for our coming out party, wouldn’t you?”

“Sure.” Jules looks a little nervous. “But what about you and Noah? Are you two going to behave? You guys have a lot of baggage.”

“Water under the bridge, babe. Don’t worry, we can handle a few double dates for our girlfriends.” I smile when I say the last word. Damn, I’m
that
guy now—completely and utterly whipped.

“Taking one for the team,” Jules says, wrapping her arms around my waist. “That’s why I love you.”

She looks up at me, beaming. All I can think about is all the ways I want her. I’m an idiot for taking her out, when I could have her at the apartment all to myself. This limited access shit sucks.

I pay for the tickets, drag her into a dark corner, and let my hands roam.

This girl is going to kill me.

Jules

It’s one of those summer nights that you know you’ll remember forever. Tabby and I are wearing our cutest sundresses, the drinks are flowing, and our men will be joining the fun any minute.

It’s perfection.

Tabby and I sit in the courtyard at Paul’s Bistro, drinking mojitos and waiting for Foster to finish work. Noah’s meeting us, too, for another double date.

Tabby planned this one: drinks at the bistro, the block party and concert downtown, and a late breakfast at the Uptown Diner. I couldn’t have done better myself. Imagine Dragons, The Avett Brothers, and the Lumineers are all playing tonight. Plus, a bunch of our favorite local indie bands. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.

The best part is that we were actually becoming a four-some. Things are starting to feel like old times, but better. This time around we have Tab instead of Jenna.

Jared walks into the courtyard and gives me a long slow whistle, and I can’t help but blush. I hope to have the same effect on Foster.

“Looking good, girl,” Jared says.

“Not so bad yourself.” I wink. “How’s the finger?”

“Aw, man. He told you about that?”

I laugh. “Tell him we’re here when you get a chance.”

“Oh, he knows.” Jared smirks. “That boy is so into you. He can feel it when you enter his space. He told me to tell you he’ll be out soon. And he likes the dress.”

How Foster can get me all hot and dreamy with someone else’s words is beyond me. But he just did. Quickly, images of Foster taking off this dress play behind my eyelids.

“Oh my God, Jules.” Tabby slaps a hand over her mouth. “Are you actually blushing?” She peers in closer. “You are. I have never seen you like this. Toast, lady. You are so done.”

My bliss doesn’t last. Once Jenna walks in, it’s like a bucket of water is splashed over me, extinguishing my flaming hot thoughts of Foster.

Jenna strides over to us and Tabby and I both flinch. She stops at our table and smiles.

“What?” Tabby hisses.

“Well, aren’t you rude, Tabitha Kelly,” she says with one of her lackeys in tow. “I just stopped by to say hello. Noah asked me to be polite, but I see the rules don’t apply to you.”

“Hello, Jenna,” I chime in, hoping it will make her leave faster.

“See, if we can teach Jules manners, surely there’s hope for you, Tabby.”

I slam my drink.

“So whatcha doing, waiting on your men?” Jenna asks.

“We are, but what about you? Are you waiting on a drink or another fake friend?” Tabby asks just as sweetly. “My brother isn’t here, so you can stop the act.”

“That’s too bad, but speaking of men,” Jenna sings, looking at me now, “I want to congratulate you for snagging one of your own. You and Foster. Back together after all this time.”

Before I can answer, Tabby jumps in. “Jenna, please just leave us alone. We’re having a nice night, can’t you just let us be happy?”