Page 30 of Changing Lanes

“No.”

Angela cocks her head and I almost laugh.

“We barely see each other.”

And when we do, well, we’re more likely to kill each other than fuck each other. I just don’t know which one sounds better.

“Well, what he does see, he likes because he’s never shown jealousy like that in the time I’ve known these knuckleheads. He may get protective over me sometimes but that’s not what that was.” Her finger swirls in the air.

I take a moment to observe the trio again. Marc, in a pair of red board shorts and matching red high tops, has his usual fuck-off attitude going strong, even as different people take turns attempting to pull him into the mix. With a hat sitting low over his face, you can’t even read what he’s thinking. I swear I see him wave his fingers to no one in particular though but I blink and his usual impassive self is back in place, the moment gone along with the…flirting? Who’d he wave at?

Coty, wearing black swim trunks and flip-flops, chats with a group of guys surrounding him like he holds the secret they’ve all been searching for. Like they know he did things the right way but now they want to know how he did it.

And Beckett’s got a small audience riveted as he entertains them with some story or another. Every time one of his punchlines doesn’t land the way he’d hoped though, his eyes strain a little and his gaze touches on his best friends like a reminder of who really matters. His colorful shorts are shorter than the others’ but in a stylish way that makes him look ahead of the game. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was. His whole persona is to throw others off and keep them guessing. People take him at face value, too shallow to dig deeper to what lies beneath, and he knows it.

And, yes, the redhead is still in his lap, looking like one of those partially inflated balloon people in front of car dealerships as she laughs hysterically at something the big guy is saying. Balloon goons, my brothers used to call them, because they were so creepy but funny to watch as they’d inflate to full height only to fall back down to half-mast then up again.

She just can’t stand up on her own, can she?

Not with Beckett’s strong, reassuring arms to hold her up when everybody else left her to struggle by herself.

Umm. Where’d that come from?

“Maybe he’s just bored.” Angela’s voice brings me back from…wherever I just went. “Or he’s just an asshole?”

At that we both crack up, letting our laughter settle over us like the sun’s warm rays before it disappeared behind the building moments ago.

After a while, Angela finally pulls her legs out but, instead of getting up, turns to me with her face completely void of humor.

“He never lets his dates sleep over. It’s his only rule and I can attest to him never, ever breaking it. He wouldn’t admit why but I figured it out once.” She darts a look over, making sure Beckett isn’t paying attention. “On accident. I slept over with Coty as much as he was at my place and one time I was heading to the bathroom when I heard…”

Her eyes slam shut and I lean forward, holding my breath.

“What?”

She opens them with determination that I’m betting isn’t in my favor.

“I’m sorry. I can’t say. It’s his secret to share, if he chooses to.”

What?

She actually has the nerve to look apologetic after that epic lead up to nothing. Is this what it feels like to have blue balls? Because honestly, I understand the frustration.

The girl really had me going there.

She rests a hand on my exposed shoulder as she stands, saying, “I didn’t think I’d like you. Not you specifically, but I didn’t want to like the new roommate. I figured she’d come in and tear apart what they’ve worked so hard to build.” She gazes across the pool before adding, “But you’re different. You’ll call them on their bullshit while dealing with your own. You’re stronger than I expected and he needs that. Beckett needs someone that can handle the baggage he tries to act like isn’t there.”

I open my mouth to argue almost all of those points but she smiles down at me with a maniacal sort of look. Kind of like a pepped-up clown.

It’s not pretty. It’s intentional.

“I’m really happy you’re here, Paige, just don’t break him or I won’t be anymore.”

My jaw hangs off its hinges as I watch her stroll over to Coty whose arms are already open, waiting for her.

Did she just threaten me?

I let out an impressed laugh as I slide back down into the water. Truthfully, I didn’t think she had it in her but there’s more to Angela than meets the eye. There’s more to all of them.