"Me again. This is the sixth voicemail and still no answer from you. If you're not dead already, I'm gonna kill you when I see you. Answer your phone!" I slam my cell phone onto the counter top and bury my face in my hands in frustration.

"I'm sure she'll call you back soon," Austin reassures me from his spot at the front door. I watch as he strategically assembles the dead bolt lock I'd purchased after he picked me up from my shift at RJ's this morning—the shift that Sidney never showed up for.

Sidney Dupree is known for a lot of things; her on again-off again relationship with Lincoln Matheson, her infatuation with weed, the ranch accident, and most importantly, her punctuality. The girl is a lot of things, but she's not one to skip out on work—no matter how many times she jokes about quitting.

"It's not like her to skip out on work. I'm worried about her," I sigh.

"I'm sure she has a good reason. What's the boyfriend's name again?"

"Lincoln," I murmur wryly, "He changes his number once a month, and last I heard he was living with his cousin, so I have no clue how to contact him."

Austin finishes securing the chain across the door and turns to me with a pointed look. "Come here," states. I dutifully walk over and stop in front of him, looking up at him with a grimace on my face. "I'm worried about her," I mutter.

He leans his back against the door and wraps both arms around my waist, pulling me into his chest. I rest my forehead on his chest and sigh. "I know you are, but I'm sure she'll get in contact with you soon. Take a deep breath, try not to let it worry you too much."

I lift my head and narrow my eyes at him. "This is me we're talking about here."

Austin laughs and leans down, kissing me briefly on the forehead. I close my eyes and do as he suggested, inhaling his trademark scent of cinnamon. I visibly relax my shoulders.

"You take care of everyone," he murmurs, brushing his thumbs across my hips soothingly, "Let me take care of you."

My heart swells and begins to beat furiously. "I'm trying," I whisper. He leans down, covering my lips with his, and my body relaxes into his naturally. It's like instinct at this point; Austin kisses me and my body melts. His kiss is slow, deep, and consuming, stealing the rest of the broken pieces of my heart he hasn't already claimed.

I rise up on my toes and smooth my hands up his chest, lost in the moment when Austin suddenly lurches forward and head bumps me. Hard.

"What the hell?" Savannah and I say at the same time. I rub my forehead as Austin laughs loudly, gripping my waist and walking us away from the front door.

Savannah's dark brown eyes stare at me through the crack of the door, bright light filtering inside. "Y'all gonna stop sucking face and let me in?" she drawls.

I step out of Austin's embrace and unlatch the chain holding the door to the frame. Sav busts through and throws her book bag to the linoleum floor, kicking off her shoes at the same time.

"How was school?" I ask, closing the door behind her.

"Life altering," she deadpans. "Anyway, I have an idea."

I close my eyes and dramatically rub my temples. "Oh, dear god. What now?"

She clasps her hands together in front of her chest, and with wide eyes, says, "I want to learn how to drive."

I stare at her blankly and take a seat at the kitchen table, Austin following suit. He smirks when I look over at him, exasperation on my features.

"With what car, Sav?" I ask carefully.

Savannah visibly deflates. "I'm almost eighteen and I don't know how to drive yet, Aria. That's embarrassing!"

I sigh. "Sav, I don't even know how to drive. Have you taken a look at our driveway recently? Do you see a car parked outside?"

Austin clears his throat, and I snap my head towards him. "No! I know what you're thinking, and no. If she wrecks the Jeep, I'd never be able to pay you back."

"Oh, come on," They both say simultaneously.

"I could teach you both to drive," Austin reasons.

I turn towards him. "Okay, so let's say you teach the both of us to drive, and Savannah doesn't completely total your vehicle."

"Yes!" Savannah whispers loudly.

This time I look pointedly at Savannah. "What good is a license if you have no car to drive it with?"

Savannah visibly straightens, her smile widening. "I'm glad you asked, dear sister."

"Kinda wished I hadn't," I mutter.

"Good as new!" She shouts loudly.

I stare at her. "Come again?"

She rolls her eyes. "The used car company downtown. Without mom here to spend all of our money on booze and God knows what else, I'll be able to save my money from the grocery store to buy myself a used car."

"Insurance," I state calmly.

"That can be arranged. You won't have to pay anything, I swear. Plus, you could benefit from the car too!" She exclaims. "Well, until I leave for college. Because then I'd totally need it back. But Austin is basically your personal chauffeur at this point, so really, it all works out."

"Austin can teach you to drive, if he's still up for it after the first lesson. You'll probably scare him to an early grave," I say. Savannah whoops loudly. "But you need to hold off on the car. If you're serious about this, save a few months' worth of money for insurance payments."

"I can do that!" She exclaims, visibly bouncing on her toes in excitement.

"If you say so," I state. Savannah plucks the house phone from the kitchen counter and rushes towards her room, already dialing.

Austin turns towards me with furrowed brows. "Do you really think she'd total the Jeep?"

I laugh loudly and pat his chest. "I hope not."

—

Later that night, we're swamped at Vice. The usual loud music thumps wildly around me as I bustle through the large crowd of partiers, depositing drinks to customers. I'm tired and my feet hurt, but the tips are outrageous tonight, so I can't complain.

Kaia hip bumps me when I step back around the bar, smiling impishly. "Did I see you and the boss arrive together earlier?"

My cheeks redden and I busy myself with cashing out the customer in front of me. "It's nothing," I say vaguely.

She laughs. "I doubt that's true, but for what it's worth, you both look happy."

I push a receipt across the bar, accept the tip the customer hands over, and simply say, "I am."

And honestly? It's true. I've been on edge ever since my confrontation with my mom, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Fortunately, I haven't heard from her so it's made things easier. Austin being around has really helped in keeping me at ease.

A large commotion snags both of our attention, and we watch as someone pushes their way through the crowd.

My jaw drops when I see that it's Sidney, and trailing along behind her, is Lincoln.

Before I can speak, Sid slings herself against the bar and throws her left hand up. "I'm engaged, bitch!" she squeals.

I'm stunned. Somehow, I remember to speak. "Holy shit," I blurt.

Sid teeters excitedly. "Will you be my maid of honor?"

"Holy shit," I say again.

And then, I laugh. "Congratulations," I choke out. I lean forward and wrap my best friend in a hug. I feel another set of arms around us, and meet Lincoln's eyes, causing me to laugh harder.

I break away from the group hug and instruct them to take a seat at the bar, which is where they wait, drinking and giggling and kissing while I hastily finish my shift.

After the floors are mopped, the counters are wiped down, and chairs are placed on tables, Sidney, Lincoln, Austin, and I make a toast.

It's when I look around at my best friend, her fiancé, and the man I'm falling for that I realize that, holy shit I am happy. Anger about my dad's new family, fear about whether or not my mom might show back up, and anxiety about my strong feelings for Austin still linger at the back of my mind, but ultimately I feel nothing but bliss. I don't remember ever feeling this secure and stable, this eager for my future.

I could get used to this feeling.

—

❤️