"Because you drove me home that night?"
"Nah," Joel said, "because someone spotted the car outside the storage place, and then jumped on the internet to brag about it."
I cringed. "Oh."
"What?"
"I'm pretty sure that was April." I went on to explain how April had spotted the Camaro on her way out of town, and had called me afterward to tell me about it. I finished by saying, "So in a way, it's my fault you were found."
"Whyyourfault?"
"If only I'd put two and two together, I would've asked her not to say anything."
"Hey," Joel said, "you've got nothing to be sorry for." He gave my hand a tender squeeze. "And I like April. She looks out for you."
Yes, she definitely did, even if it meant warning guys that I wasn't a sack-jumper. But there was no way I'd be bringingthatup.
Still, I had to smile. "Yeah, I like her, too."
"Speaking of cars," Joel said, "how about that ride?"
I gave a happy nod, and then drove him across the street to get his car. Five minutes later, I was driving back to my place, with Joel following in his own vehicle.
With him a few car lengths behind, I turned into my driveway, only to hit the brakes when I spotted them – my aunt and uncle, scurrying like rats, along the side of my house.
I sighed.Not again.
Chapter 47
I gave my uncle a hard look. "You're early."
He was standing next to Aunt Vivian, who was doing her best to look like this was just a casual visit, which made no sense whatsoever, because they were decidedly overdressed.
Joel and I had caught up with them in the back yard, where, as near as I could tell, they'd been making for the back door. Now, we were all standing on the back patio – with my aunt and uncle facing off against me and Joel.
I gave Joel a sideways glance. If it came down to a fight, I was liking my odds.
From my uncle's expression,hewasn't. He looked from me to Joel and back again. "Uh, early?"
I crossed my arms. "Yeah. By a few weeks."
His eyebrows furrowed. And then, with an obvious effort, he summoned up a hearty smile. "Yup. We sure are."
I made a scoffing sound. "You don't even know what I mean, do you?"
"Sure I do." But then, he leaned closer to Aunt Vivian and whispered, "Doyouknow?"
"Oh for heaven's sake," my aunt hissed. "Youdorealize, she can hear you."
My uncle's gaze shifted to Joel, and he swallowed with an audible gulp. From the corner of his mouth, he whispered again. "What about the big guy? You thinkheheard?"
This time, it was Joel who answered. "Yeah. He did."
My aunt gave a dramatic sigh. "There's no need for theatrics." She lifted her chin. "We decided to pop in for a little visit. What, is that some sort of crime now?"
I eyed their clothes. My uncle was wearing a black tuxedo. As for my aunt, she was wearing a long, emerald evening gown and lots of sparkling jewelry. She looked like she was dressed for the opera, with herself in the starring role.
I said, "Nice of you to dress up."
