Page 16 of One Bad Idea

I felt myself swallow. I wanted to say something, but I didn't know what. I mean, whatcouldI say?

Oops?

He asked, "You need anything?"

The question caught me off-guard. It was surprisingly thoughtful, which had me rethinking my conclusion that the two guys were brothers. Based on their personalities, they hardly seemed related at all.

As I considered his question, I reached up to rub the back of my neck. There were a lot of things that I needed – food, gas money, and cripes, even a bathroom. But it seemed beyond rude to ask for anything at all after making such a mess.

I mumbled, "No. I'm fine." Under my breath, I added, "Now, anyway."

He gave me a dubious look. "You sure about that?"

"Sure." I cleared my throat. "I mean, what would I need?"

His gaze dipped to the hem of my sweatshirt. "I dunno. A shower, breakfast, clean clothes?"

I snuck another quick glance in the mirror and spotted a coffee-colored stain just above my waist.Damn it.

I heard myself sigh. If he thoughtthesewere dirty, he should see what happened to myfirstset of driving clothes.

Now,thosewere dirty.

I was still trying to think of something relevant to say when Cassidy turned to me and asked, "Are you sure? There's a private bathroom, and…" She perked up. "I have some things you can borrow."

Now,thatconfused me. Why would she have extra things so readily available?Was she living here?I snuck a quick glance at the guy in the doorway.Maybe he and Cassidy were a thing?

On one hand, I could totally see it. They were both very good-looking, and he'd been surprisingly nice, all things considered. Plus, they'd just returned from breakfast in spite of the fact that it was now early afternoon.

But I knew Cassidy. Like me, she preferred to take things slow. She'd been living in Florida for only a week, which meant that she'd known the guy for just a few days at the most.

It was way too soon for her to be moving in, regardless of the guy's looks or money, which he obviously had in abundance.

There was definitely more to this story, and I made a mental note to start asking as soon as we returned to the truck, assuming of course that it hadn't been towed away.

I still hadn't replied to Cassidy's offer of clothing and what-not. I was seriously tempted, and yet, I forced myself to decline, if only to spare everyone further embarrassment.

Finally, I looked to the guy in the doorway and said, "I guess I should apologize for barging in." I couldn’t help but wince. "And I might've been a little rude."

He gave an easy shrug. "Forget it. Knowing my brother, he had it coming."

From somewhere down the hall, the first guy called, "I heard that!"

The guy at the door turned his head and called back, "You were meant to hear it, jackass, so quit your bitching."

In spite of everything, I almost smiled. If he and Cassidy were a thing, I'd totally approve, not that she needed my approval. It was just that I could totally see them together, and Cassidy was way overdue for something good in her life.

When I turned to give her a questioning look, she whispered, "They're brothers."

"I know," I teased. "He just said so."

She smiled. "Oh. Right."

From the doorway, the guy looked back to me and said, "Let me know when you change your mind." And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving me and Cassidy alone.

I felt my eyebrows furrow. Obviously, that last comment had been directed at me. But I wasn't planning to change my mind. Mostly, I was planning to leave – the sooner the better. And yet, I'd be smart to at least use the bathroom before hopping back into that truck.

Cassidy said, "Come on. Let's talk in my room, okay?"