Single, Available, and Completely Attached

by Michelle Brewer

  “Actually—” Hipster started to speak, but Anna interrupted.

  “Really, Alec, if you wouldn’t mind—” Drew didn’t miss the way she rested her hand on Hipster’s chest. Hipster wasn’t an idiot—he noticed it too, and Drew watched as he realized he’d lost this one. “I would really like to spend some time with Drew tonight.”

  “Of course, Anna. It was a pleasure meeting you.” Hipster smiled warmly at Anna, and Drew found himself actually coming to respect this guy. He wasn’t a bad one—he was just so clearly not the right guy for Anna.

  “Have a good night, man,” Drew held out his hand and shook with Hipster before slipping his arm around Anna’s waist and guiding her toward the bar. “I think you broke his heart, Annabelle.”

  “Oh, he’ll get over it.” Drew signaled for the bartender’s attention and Anna pointed to Drew’s bottle, asking for the same. “I can’t believe Alice did that to me.”

  “Where is that darling little sister of yours?” All Anna had to do was glance and Drew follower her gaze. Off in a dark corner, Alice was all but lost in the arms of a guy very similar to Hipster. “Let me guess—cousins?”

  “Right on the nose.” Anna laughed, barely noticing as Drew reached out and removed the cap from her bottle.

  “So—what exactly do I get for coming to your rescue?” He asked while Anna took a quick drink.

  “Is that what you did?” She looked up at him, and for some reason, he flashed back to the first night he’d seen her—just after he’d introduced himself with a kiss.

  For a second, he considered trying it again.

  Only for a second though.

  “Well, you were practically begging me to come save you…” Drew leaned against a wall with his shoulder.

  “I wouldn’t say it that way.”

  “How would you say it, then?” he asked.

  “I asked for the pleasure of your company. I would much rather spend my evening having a good time with a friend then trying to force something I don’t even want with a total stranger.”

  “Especially when you wouldn’t even have to force something to happen with said friend.” He grinned as Anna tilted her head and rolled her eyes at him. “I’m much better looking, if nothing else.”

  “There is that.”

  “So you admit it.”

  “I admit nothing.” But the wry little smile on her lips told him differently. He felt something stir within himself, but he did everything he could to ignore it.

  Anna was his friend. That was it.

  Friend. Friend. Friend.

  “I still think I deserve at least a little something for going out of my way—”

  “Oh, fine,” she told him with a heavy sigh, grabbing his hand and leading him off. She drained her bottle and left it on an empty table before taking the bottle from Drew’s hand and leaving it beside hers. He watched her with increasing curiosity, not quite sure what he should expect.

  Finally, as they neared the door, he couldn’t take it any longer. “Where are you taking me?”

  “Weren’t you just complaining about having to rescue me and how I’ve ruined your night? I’m making it up to you. Let’s go—where did you park?”

  “Anna Maloy, are you planning to reward me with—”

  “Stop talking.” She was suddenly directly in front of him, her finger resting on his lips. “I’m going to make sure your night lives up to your standards, Drew Whitman. Now, please lead the way to your car.”

  There was a mischievous look in her pretty green eyes and Drew could do nothing but listen to her. He spent the entire walk to the car telling himself there were hundreds of reasons why he shouldn’t let this happen—though as soon as he sat down in the driver’s seat, he forgot all of them.

  “Now, start the car.” He did. “At the second light, I’m going to need you to turn left.”

  “Am I still not allowed to talk?”

  “No.” He saw a smile dancing at the corners of her lips and he remembered how happy she had been the night he’d driven home from the football game. “Turn right at the next light.”

  He must have been seriously distracted, because by the time they arrived at their destination, he wondered how he hadn’t figured it out sooner. “Now, you’re going to take me up two flights of stairs, and at the door on the left, you’re going to use one of these keys to let me in.”

  “Anna…” His conscious was beginning to get the best of him. Though Anna was clearly of sound and sober mind, he just didn’t feel right crossing that line with her—not that he didn’t want to cross that line, because he was pretty sure it would be something worth causing a little trouble for.

  He was still being haunted by a simple kiss, and this was seven years later. He could only imagine what—

  No, he couldn’t, he reminded himself. She was his friend.

  “Just listen to me, Drew, and I assure you, you won’t regret it.”

  No, he probably wouldn’t—she, on the other hand…

  With a sigh, he opened the door and walked to her side of the car. But before he could open her door, she was in front of him, leading the way into his apartment building. He did as she had told him and opened the door, opting to walk beside her so that he wouldn’t be tempted by the shortness of her skirt and the length of her legs prancing up the stairs in front of him.

  He had to stand his ground on this.

  Finally, they reached his doorway and he unlocked the door, holding it open so that she could go inside first. It was strange for him to see her standing in his living room without Jeff at her side.

  “Now what?”

  “Where’s your bedroom?”

  He swallowed hard.

  “There.” He pointed to a partially open doorway off the living room.

  “Okay, why don’t you go and freshen up? I’ll be ready to go in just a minute.”

  “Anna—”

  “Just trust me, would you?” And before he could stop her, Anna had disappeared into his bedroom. It took him several moments before he turned and made his way toward the half-bathroom.

  He splashed a little water on his face and then braced himself against the sink, holding his own eyes in the mirror.

  “You’re not going to do this, Drew. This is the last thing in the world you should be doing, and so—plain and simple: You’re not.”

  He forced the various images of whatever she might be doing in his room from his mind as he turned and used a hand towel to pat at his face.

  And then, he heard a very familiar sound coming from the living room.

  He threw open the door and took a few quick steps toward the sound—and sure enough, there she was.

  “You ready for the most epic night of your life, Mr. Whitman?”

  Anna sat on the couch, one of his t-shirts stretched over her knees. Her hair was up in a ponytail, and her eyes were laughing at him as she dangled a PlayStation remote from her fingers.

  “Are you kidding me?” And, finally, she burst into giggles. “This whole time—”

  “I wish you could have seen your face.” She told him, wiping at her cheeks as she struggled to breathe.

  “Oh, I’ll give you something to laugh about.”

  Drew was on her in a second, his fingers dancing along the sides of her waist. She squirmed around beneath him, squealing with laughter, and Drew couldn’t deny the smile on his own face. “I yield!” She cried breathlessly.

  He finally gave her a break, and when she rolled over, he remained where he was for just a moment too long.

  But he couldn’t turn away—he was mesmerized by the flecks of yellow in her eyes, by the soft splash of freckles across her nose, by the way she looked entirely at home in his old t-shirt. Her chest rose and fell rapidly and Drew told himself it was only because she was trying to catch her breath.

  Then the sound of roaring gunfire filled the room and they both turned their heads toward the TV, where a scene from the latest Call of Duty was playing out. Drew rose to a sitti
ng position, snatching the remote she had dropped when he’d attacked her.

  “I call first player.”

  “Oh, you’re on. I’ve never even played this game, but I bet I can kick your ass.” She challenged him.

  “Oh, sweetie. Didn’t you already learn your lesson about betting against me?”

  Anna’s only response was a laugh.

  ~*~

  Several hours later, he sat outside Anna’s house. “You just got lucky—”

  “Oh, call it what you will, but I beat you fair and square—”

  “On a technicality!” Drew made sure he reminded her. They had played for hours, and she’d held her own surprisingly well. “I demand a rematch.”

  “Any time, any place!”

  “How did you get so good at that game anyway?” he asked.

  “I used to play with the kids at the center a lot—back when I wasn’t so bogged down by all the red tape.” She leaned her head against the seat. “I miss it.”

  “Well, they probably don’t miss you.” When he realized what he said, he shook his head. “No—I mean, because you killed them all the time. They’re probably grateful they don’t have lose to a girl anymore.”

  “Like you did tonight.” A coy smile touched her lips and Drew chuckled softly, nodding his head.

  “Keep on rubbing it in, why don’t you.”

  “Oh, I plan to.” Drew liked the way she was smiling at him. “Hey—what are you doing Thursday night?” Anna asked him suddenly and he thought for a moment before realizing what day it was she was referring to—the one day a year he absolutely abstained on.

  “I plan on spending it much the same as I did tonight, actually.”

  “Well—Allie and I are having a thing. If you wanted to join us.”

  “A thing?” He raised an eyebrow at her, unable to resist the opening. She rolled her eyes.

  “We were just going to watch some movies, eat some food…you know. Anything to avoid the rest of the world.”

  “You mean Alec didn’t already ask you to be his Valentine?” Anna swatted at his shoulder and Drew smiled. “As long as there’s violence and gore, I’m in. None of that mushy romance stuff.”

  “That’s the last thing I want right about now.” She sighed, and he saw her smile fade for the first time all night. “Thanks for rescuing me.”

  “Thanks for kicking my ass.”

  “What are friends for?” She asked him, the smile on her lips not quite reaching her eyes. “Good night, Drew.”

  “Good night, Annabelle.”

  He watched as she exited the vehicle, hurrying up to the door, still wearing his t-shirt. Once she was inside, she stopped just long enough to wave.

  She had been right, Drew thought as he pulled away.

  The night had been much better than he’d originally expected it to be—and that was saying a lot.

  ~*~

  Anna had found herself listening to Drew’s show more and more as they had become—well, friends. She wasn’t really sure why, as she very rarely agreed with anything he had to say.

  But after realizing that the Drew he portrayed himself to be wasn’t really who he was, she didn’t get nearly as annoyed as she used to.

  She sat at her desk the Thursday morning, tea in hand. It was Valentine’s day, and so the current discussion had, as usual, turned to Drew’s philosophies on love.

  “So what you’re saying is that—”

  “What I’m saying is what I’ve always said. Guys aren’t capable of loving just one woman. It’s just impossible.” Anna rolled her eyes. “And by buying in to the whole Valentine’s day thing…you’re just asking for the crazy to come out. Every woman has it in her, and the next week or so is going to be hell for a good number of suckers who fell for it.”

  “So then it’s safe to assume that you won’t be going out tonight.”

  “Actually, I am.” Drew admitted to his partner, and Anna felt her cheeks warm considerably. He had very rarely brought her up on the radio, and as far as she had heard, he’d never referenced their non-relationship specifically. “And on that note, I have an announcement to make. I, Drew Whitman, have embarked on my very first platonic relationship.” Dave’s laugh was so enthusiastic, it turned into a cackle.

  “You?” He asked when he was finally able to breathe again.

  “Yes, me. I know what you’re all going to say—‘But Drew, you said it’s impossible.’ And I did. But this girl—let me just say this. She can play Call of Duty.”

  “And you’re not attracted to her at all.” Dave’s tone was one of disbelief.

  “It’s a platonic relationship.” Drew returned.

  Anna reached forward and turned the radio off.

  The last thing she wanted to hear about was how unattractive Drew Whitman found her.

  Then again, she didn’t really want to hear if he did find her attractive, she reminded herself. Because, as Drew had just said—their relationship was a platonic one.

  Nothing more.

  Anna couldn’t help but think back to the other night, though.

  She remembered how, after he’d mauled her on the couch, he hadn’t taken his eyes off of her. She had seen something in them—and whatever it was, it had stirred to life something within herself.

  She’d been trying to ignore it since then, but it had, sadly, been in vain.

  Drew was arrogant, and cocky, and he talked way too much—but there was just something about the way he looked at her that was starting to drive her just a little bit crazy.

  Likely, it had something to do with the fact that it had been months since she’d so much as been really kissed, and even longer than that since she’d experienced any sense of real passion…but still. She couldn’t turn it off.

  Which was why she was glad that Alice was going to be there tonight.

  It wasn’t that she couldn’t trust herself—it was simply that she didn’t want to be put in a position to even begin to test her resolve.

  It had been difficult enough, teasing him as she’d done the other night. She had seen how torn Drew had been, and for just the briefest of moments, when she was in his bedroom looking around for a t-shirt to wear, she had considered crossing that line.

  They hadn’t been alone since then, and she wanted to ease her way back into that platonic state she’d been so sure she could maintain.

  Still, Anna couldn’t deny that she was excited to see him.

  She hated to admit it—but she was really beginning to wonder whether her sister was right.

  ~*~

  Anna spent the rest of the day looking forward to the evening ahead of her.

  Until she got home from work a few hours later and found out that her sister was bailing on her.

  Alice stood in Anna’s bedroom doorway, unapologetic as Anna protested.

  “This was your idea, Allie—”

  “I know, but Patrick is doing a show tonight. His band was invited to perform at this, like, swank swingers club or something. It’s kind of a big deal.”

  Patrick was Alec’s cousin, from the other night. Anna sighed, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “Allie, you promised.”

  “I know, but I figured you’re going to have Drew over anyway. I thought you might want some privacy.”

  “It’s not like that and you know it.”

  “I know exactly what it is.” And with a dramatic wink, Alice turned and dashed down the stairs. Anna heard the door slam a moment later and she sighed loudly, debating for several minutes whether she should just cancel on Drew.

  But then the decision was made for her as a knock sounded on the door downstairs. She took a moment to glance at her reflection in the mirror, hoping she looked casual enough in her black leggings and oversized, off-the-shoulder sweater. She’d put her hair up in a ponytail, but it was already beginning to escape.

  It would have to do.

  When Anna finally made it to the door, she was half hoping that he had left—but of course h
e was there, his dark hair perfectly disheveled, a faint shadow of stubble on his cheeks. His blue eyes shined down at her as she bit her lip.

  “Alice bailed.” Drew’s first response was to raise an eyebrow.

  “Was there an emergency at the hipster warehouse?” Anna laughed, nodding her head.

  “Apparently, Patrick is doing a show at a swingers party.” She informed him.

  “Oooh, and we weren’t invited?” He nudged her aside so that he could step into the house. “I’m heartbroken.”

  “I thought you might be.”

  “It’s a good thing I brought beer.” He said as he held up a six pack of bottles.

  “And I have popcorn.” She pointed to the bowl already sitting on the coffee table.

  “Let’s not forget slasher movies.”

  “Oh, I’ve got plenty of those.” Anna gestured toward the stack of DVDs on the floor in front of the TV.

  “See, who needs Alice?” Drew asked. A sense of relief rushed through her as she took the beer from him and carried it down the hall to put it in the refrigerator. When she returned, she found him on the couch, remote in hand. “I’ve taken the liberty of first choice.”

  “It’s only fair, since technically Valentine’s day is supposed to be all about the lady.” She told him with a smile.

  “And already with the insults!” He grinned at her before patting the open spot next to him on the couch. “Come on, I saved you a seat.”

  “I just want to warn you in advance that Alice was in charge of the movies. I was in charge of food.”

  “And popcorn was the best you could come up with?”

  “And pizza.”

  “Stuffed crust?”

  “Of course.” Drew grinned, and Anna felt her heart do a subtle flip-flop within her chest.

  “Then I think we’ll be just fine.”

  She wasn’t too sure about that.

  ~*~

  Three movies later, Anna was stretched out on the couch, her feet inches away from Drew, whose feet were resting on the coffee table in front of them. She had spent the greater majority of the last five hours trying to act as normal as she possibly could, commenting on the violence here and there—but mostly focused on how nicely he smelled, or how well he wore that t-shirt, or how close he was to her.