4. Ford
4
Ford
T urns out not drinking was the right decision, especially when it became clear that neither woman was capable of driving home. But now, as I carefully maneuver the two women up the stairs toward Miles Bennett’s second-story apartment, I’m questioning all the life choices that led me to this point. They definitely aren’t making this easy on me, especially as they keep giggling and insisting that they need to rest every few steps.
The fact that I have to deliver them to Miles in this condition makes it even worse. While being three years older than us may play a part, his overprotective nature has always been intimidating as hell. I may have surpassed him in height with my now six-foot frame by an inch or two, but that doesn’t stop me from shaking like a leaf. The dude is not one to mess with, especially when it comes to his younger sister.
I’ve always suspected that Miles is capable of knocking me out with just one punch, and has only been waiting for me to give him the perfect opportunity to get away with it. Then again, I’ve also had a feeling he appreciates the way I look out for the girls. However, I can’t help but feel apprehensive that if I take one step out of line, he won’t hesitate to make me pay for it.
Considering his sister’s short time in town, I doubt he’ll be pleased to see her in such an intoxicated state, especially on her first night back. But who am I to be the one to determine how much someone should or shouldn’t drink? Given our complicated history, I also imagine she wouldn’t have been all that happy if I were to make any comments about how overboard she went tonight. Once upon a time, it probably would’ve been fine for me to say something, but I suspect those days are long gone.
“It’s this one, right?” I ask Blair, pointing toward the door on our right.
Miles and I have never been close, so I’ve never been to his place. But in a small town like Evergreen Grove, it’s common to know everyone’s business and know where they live. It’s both a blessing and a curse. Sure, it’s nice that I didn’t have to drive around town aimlessly while we tried to figure it out, but I suspect by tomorrow morning everyone in Evergreen is going to know that I drove a very drunk and giggly Blair and Ronnie home.
I know I no longer need to care or think about what Jenny and her family will have to say about this. However, my mind definitely goes there, especially since I know how much she has always hated and resented my tight-knit friendship with Blair Bennett.
“How am I supposed to know?” she asks through another loud giggle. Ronnie follows suit and the two of them fall into each other as if I just asked the most hilarious and ridiculous question in the entire world.
“Well, I guess there’s only one way to find out,” I decide as I release a defeated sigh. I raise my hand and give the door a firm knock. Thankfully, it isn’t too late, and if I’m mistaken and we’re in the completely wrong place, they shouldn’t be too upset about the weird intrusion. However, Miles opening the door with a disappointed and hardened stare is equally intimidating—pretty sure I’m in a lose-lose situation.
I’m not sure if I’m relieved or not when I hear barking and shuffling behind the door, as someone comes to open it.
“Uh, hey Miles,” I say with an optimistic smile as I awkwardly raise a hand in greeting. Thankfully it is his face that greets us. “I have a special delivery,” I add, as he looks behind me to find Blair and Ronnie still snickering away.
It’s clear he and Blair are related, with their strikingly similar blond hair and piercing blue eyes, and I’m once again reminded why I’ve always found the guy intimidating. I may be taller, but he’s certainly not short. Instead of being on the lankier side like me, he’s got muscles, which are very pronounced at the moment in his gray sweatpants and white T-shirt as he crosses his arms and shakes his head.
I silently will him not to kill me as he puffs out an annoyed breath of air, seeming to do everything he can to hold his frustration in. “Do me a favor and help me get them inside,” he finally says. He walks outside and grabs his sister around the shoulders with a small, but hefty bulldog in tow, and does his best to guide her through the door. Clearly leaving Ronnie for me to handle.
I’d offered to take both girls to Ronnie’s place, but they’d decided Miles would be upset if Blair didn’t come home, and since they wanted to spend the night together, I went along with it. I’ve long since learned that if Ronnie and Blair have something in mind, you do it. Once they make a joint decision, it’s set in stone—there’s no changing their minds.
Yes, Ronnie and I have work tomorrow, and while I considered reminding her about this, neither of them seems worried about it, so I do my best not to care either. If they’re not worried, then why should I be? Then again, it’s always been my role to be the caretaker for the three of us.
“Come on, Ron,” I softly encourage, as I place a hand on the back of her shoulder and follow Miles and Blair’s lead.
Walking into his place for the first time, I have to admit, this very much feels like a Miles sort of place. It once again makes sense that he and Blair are siblings. The majority of the room is furnished with black, metal, and industrial-style furniture, with a huge leather couch in the middle of the living area. It exudes a strong bachelor aesthetic, especially with the various use of old car parts and license plates as decor. The atmosphere is exactly what you’d expect from someone who owns an auto-body shop.
“Ooooh, doggy,” Ronnie coos as she clumsily pulls away from my grasp and falls to the ground, her legs spreading into a v-shape as she moves to give the bulldog some love. He practically jumps on her, covering her in wet, slobbery dog kisses. Luckily, this dog seems like a big softy, unlike his grumpy owner, who seems pretty annoyed that his dog is loving on Ronnie, of all people. “I didn’t know you were a daddy .”
“Ew.” Blair shivers as she pushes herself out of her brother’s grasp before plopping down onto the black leather sofa. “Please don’t ever call my brother daddy again, and definitely not in that tone of voice.”
“Yeah, I think I’d appreciate that too,” Miles echoes as he heads into the kitchen, where he retrieves two water bottles from the fridge.
“Hey, I’m only calling it as I see it. Plus, come on, if he’s worried about it, he shouldn’t go around flaunting it in those sexy-ass gray sweatpants. Doesn’t he know that we ladies go feral for that?” Ronnie asks, her attention still on the dog.
“Okay, ew.” Blair gags. “That’s my brother you’re talking about.”
“Not to mention the fact that you’re engaged,” I add as a final reminder, as Miles shifts uncomfortably. I understand that I’m not the ideal person to call anyone out, given my own circumstances, but it still feels important to point out.
“Oops, my bad,” Ronnie giggles as Miles takes it in stride and instead focuses on handing out the water to the women.
“Drink,” he commands, and luckily, they both seem to comply, at least for now.
“So, uh, sorry about this,” I apologize, as I rub at the back of my neck. “Didn’t mean to drop them on you like this.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m just glad you were there to drive them home.” He brushes me off and folds his arms across his strong chest once more.
“Oh, well, yeah. Of course, I’d never let either of them drive home in this condition,” I say, trying to hide my confusion. I came in expecting a lecture. Instead, he’s acting surprisingly relaxed.
“I know, and that’s why I’ve always appreciated you being her friend,” he says, giving my shoulder an unexpected pat as Blair moves to join Ronnie and the two of them continue to give that lucky little bulldog even more love and attention. It’s crazy how envious I am of a dog right now, especially as she leans down to kiss the top of his head. What the hell is wrong with me?
“Really?” I ask, trying not to get distracted by the ladies as I turn to look over at Miles. “I always thought you hated me.”
“You? No,” he assures me with a shake of the head. “Others, perhaps,” he continues, his gaze dropping toward Ronnie in a less than subtle way. “But with you, I always knew you had her back and would always look out for her.”
A massive wave of guilt crashes over me. I haven’t always been the friend she needed or deserved. More recently, I was likely one of the people who hurt her the most. As much as I hate it, I understand why she stopped answering my calls and texts—I also have to imagine it was my presence tonight that had her drinking so much more than usual. Maybe I’m giving myself way too much credit here, but in this case, I don’t think I’m wrong.
“I try, but as you know, these two can often make things a little difficult,” I add with an awkward chuckle.
“Oh, I get it. It’s certainly not easy when Blair constantly has that little devil on her shoulder,” he huffs, shaking his head.
“Are you talking about Ronnie?” I ask, my head rearing back in shock. “Because those two definitely play off each other. It’s a combined effort,” I add with a nervous laugh. Sure, Ronnie produces some ridiculous ideas, but she doesn’t come up with them on her own, that’s for sure.
“Maybe it is a combined effort, but she never seems to get herself into the same kind of trouble when Veronica isn’t around. Hell, as much as it sucked having Blair move and be so far away, at least I know she isn’t getting into the same stupid shit she gets into with her ,” Miles shoots back, once again nodding his head in Ronnie’s direction.
I’m caught off guard by the obvious tone of annoyance and resentment. Admittedly, the girls did do some stupid shit over the years, and often tried to involve me in their crazy plans, but none of it seems worth holding that level of resentment and bitterness.
“Ronnie may have helped cause some of the trouble, but she always got us out of it. Even more importantly, it’s obvious she’d do anything for Blair. As close as we are and as much as she’ll always be one of my best friends, we’ll never share the same kind of connection that they have. You have to know that Ronnie would never let anything bad happen to Blair,” I say, doing my best to have my friend’s back. Sure, he’s made a few good points, and he isn’t totally off base here, but it’s also wrong to discount all the amazing things Ronnie has done for both of us. Hell, I wouldn’t have agreed to be in her bridal party and embarrass myself in such a way if I didn’t feel like I owed it to her.
“Maybe, but I’m still never going to be her biggest fan.” Miles shrugs, and while I wish he’d take it easier on her, I figure that when it comes to Miles, this is as good as it’s going to get.
“Well, I should probably get going,” I decide, taking an awkward step back. “Ronnie, Blair,” I call out to them. They both look up at me from their spots on the floor. “I’ll see you both tomorrow night,” I say with a nod as Blair all but ignores me and goes back to loving on the dog.
“Don’t forget the coooooookies,” Ronnie reminds me in a sing-song voice. I’m no baker, but I’ve always found those pretty hard to mess up, which is why they felt like the perfect thing to bring to the barbecue tomorrow—even if Blair had continued to give me shit for it all night.
“I won’t,” I promise, shaking my head in amusement. “And good luck to you,” I say one last time to Miles as he rubs a palm over his face.
“Thanks, I’m going to need it.”
Unfortunately, I don’t think he’s wrong.