26. Jules #2
“Um… You’re saying that to an author. A romance author, at that. Do you have any idea how many people have told me it’s not a real career and I’m not going to make any real money at it? That it’s a nice hobby to have but I should get serious about my career?”
It’s just another reason why I don’t tell people I meet in real life that I’m an author. It’s bad enough when they hear that I co-host a podcast. Add romance author to that and I fear I’ll be arrested for killing someone, or at the very least throw their drink in their face.
“You being a romance author makes perfect sense,” Drew says. “My sketching was seen as a distraction from my real studies because I was usually doing that instead of paying attention in class.”
I tilt my head, frowning at him. “I don’t remember that.”
Drew smiles, though it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“That’s because you and Lavinia were good students who sat at the front of the class and answered all the questions the teachers had.
Meanwhile I sat in the back and struggled to understand those same answers.
Every teacher told my parents I was distracted and needed to focus more.
Lavinia was so much better than me and I should really be more like my sister.
Everything was a distraction except hockey. ”
My heart sinks. “Did you start playing hockey because Lavinia played hockey?”
“Not really. Dad was already teaching us and I liked playing, it’s not like I was forced into it.” Drew shrugs, like it doesn’t even matter anymore.
It matters to me. I don’t know why because it’s not like I can change the past. I want to find our old teachers and tell them they were wrong, that drawing was not a distraction.
“Do you think if they’d just put you into art programs, you’d be an artist today?”
Drew shakes his head, sighing deeply. “It’s not something I think about. I can’t change the past and there’s no point thinking about what could have happened if someone had done something differently. Maybe I would still be playing hockey. We can’t know for sure.”
I peer up at him closely. “What were you distracted by in your office?”
To my delight, his cheeks redden slightly. “Drew, tell me.”
I start to reach for his arm and stop, letting my hand lower to my side.
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it,” he says evasively.
“I thought we’re friends now.”
His eyebrow arches with interest. “Are we?”
“Yes!” I reply.
“You’re sure?”
“Yes!”
“Which means whatever I tell you, you won’t share with my sister?” Drew asks. That eyebrow all but disappearing into his hair line.
I close my mouth, pouting. Not telling Lavinia is a big ask. I might forget to tell her some things because there’s always so much I want to tell her and there isn’t enough time in the day. But I don’t deliberately keep things from her.
“Is it a bad thing?” I ask.
“No.” Drew shakes his head.
“Is it good gossip?”
Drew grins at me wolfishly. “Let’s just say the family chat will be lit for months, if not years.”
“Ugh.” I place a hand over my chest, acting like he’s stabbed me through the heart. “This is a big ask.”
“You said we’re friends now. Friends don’t tell.”
“Is it a girlfriend? A boyfriend? Are you married and you’ve been hiding it this whole time?”
I’m not sure I can continue to live with him if he’s taken. It’s bad enough that I know I can’t have him, but having it confirmed in the form of a partner is going to just end me. I’m going to need months to recover.
“You have a wild imagination,” Drew says, amused.
“Thanks, it’s made me a lot of money.” I shrug.
“It’s not a girlfriend or boyfriend, and I’m not married. How do you think I’ll be able to hide a partner for that long?”
I shrug again. “Lots of people do it.”
“I wouldn’t. My family might be wild but I’d want my partner to meet them and vice versa.”
Ugh, why does he have to be perfect? Why do I have to realize he’s perfect? Everything was going well between us before. Sure, we couldn’t stand each other, but twas a lot better than this misery.
“Okay.” I take a deep breath. “I won’t tell anyone.”
Drew assesses me carefully, eyes narrowed. “You’re absolutely certain?”
I nod. “Yes, I’m capable of keeping secrets.”
With a nod, Drew uncrosses his arms. He looks around us, making sure no one can hear us in the crowded bar. I look behind me and see that Holden is at the bar and when he sees me looking, he gives me a thumbs up. I shake my head at him.
“I post online,” Drew says.
It takes me a minute to catch on. “You post thirst traps on the internet?”
I’m more interested in finding his shadow account so I can thirst over him rather than telling his family.
Drew gives me a flat look. “No, I don’t post thirst traps. I post… Here.”
Taking his phone out of his pocket, he logs onto Instagram--using a browser, by the way--and shows me exactly what he means. He’s posting a web series on the ‘gram with original characters. There’s a storyline and everything. He has thousands of followers.
“Oh my god.”
He takes the phone back before I can scroll.
“No, what are you doing? I want to read it!”
Drew laughs drily. “Absolutely not happening. I’m not going to let a professional read my ramblings.”
“Stop it, give it back to me,” I say, reaching for his phone. He holds up his arm so the phone is out of my reach.
“Not. Happening.”
I set my hands on my hips, glaring at him. “This might be the coolest thing you’ve ever done and you’re not going to share with me? The one person you know who makes up stories for a living?”
Drew slides his phone into his pocket, where it’s safely hidden from view.
“Hey, Jules? Do you want to go to Nantucket with me before everyone comes back?”
I don’t miss the subject change. We’re nearing the end of July, which means we only have two and a half weeks before everyone comes back from vacation. From previous experience, I know the Titans will start informal sessions by mid-August and official training camp will begin in September.
“If I go with you, will you promise to show me more of your story?”
Drew appears to debate the offer. “You drive a hard bargain, Love.”
“In another life I would have been a lawyer,” I agree. “Deal?”
I raise my hand between us. Drew looks down and after a moment’s hesitation, puts his hand in mine. Electricity shoots up my arm and through my spine, the way it did when we danced together at the wedding.
“Deal.”
Chapter 27 - Drew