Slow Grind (Men of Mornington Book 1) by Eva Spencer

into Drew’s car—me in the front and Max in the back, so he can stretch out.
    As the car pulls further away from the neighbourhood we all grew up in, it’s a strange feeling. Australia was home to me for so long, but I never really explored. I spent time at the University with my dad and went to restaurants in the city, but that was the extent of my travels. A nervous excitement settles over me as I realise the fear I had when I got into town about not ever seeing Max in his natural habitat—his apartment, on his own—is no longer a fear. I peek in the backseat to tell him how happy I am to get to see his place, but he’s already asleep. The meds the doctors have him on really do a number on the amount of time he’s actually awake. I know it’s for the best, to keep him out of pain. I’ll just have to remember to cherish the moments, like the one from earlier in his bedroom. They might come few and far between as his illness progresses.
    When I turn back around, Drew’s watching the road, but periodically, I notice him looking down at my bare legs. Has he never seen a girl in a skirt before? Geeze.
    “Can I help you?” I ask the next time I see his gaze drift to my knees.
    “What?” he chokes out, pulling his eyes back to the road.
    “You keep looking at my legs. Did I miss a spot shaving or something?” I ask sarcastically. I’d say one of the best things about spending your teenage years in a big city like New York, you learn a lot about the opposite sex: how to deal with catcalling and owning your body. I wear the clothes I wear because I’m comfortable in them, even if some people think they’re a little too risqué for everyday attire. And even with the looming crush I harbored for Drew as a kid, I love that I can be blunt and honest and even call him out on his creeper stare.
    “I didn’t realise I was doing it. I’m sorry.”
    “They’re great legs.” I grin. “I might be a little pissed if you weren’t looking.”
    “You can’t say shit like that to me, Aubrey,” Drew chokes out, and the old feelings I used to feel when he would look at me, even though he didn’t really see me, resurface.
    “He’s right, Aubrey. You can’t say shit like that to him,” Max chimes in from the backseat. I straighten in my seat, feeling uncomfortable, like I did when my dad caught me and my ex-boyfriend making out in the living room during summer break last year. There’s something awkward about family catching you out in such a personal situation.
    “Christ, Max. Thought you were asleep.”
    “I was resting my eyes, little sister. I wasn’t resting my ears. At least I can count on Drew to be on his best behaviour. It must just be you I need to keep tabs on.”
    “I was just joking.” I laugh nervously.
    “Uh huh. Sure you were,” Max chastises.
    I look over at Drew and mouth “sorry.” He smiles in response and glances at my legs again, knowing I can’t say anything about it this time. With a sly wink and lazy grin, he goes back to exclusively watching the road and I quickly realise playfully flirting with Drew isn’t going to lead anywhere good, especially since he’s won the first round.
    Needing to break up the tension, I pull out my phone and text Jacey, hoping she’s awake at this hour. If it’s a little after noon here, it’s the middle of the night in New York. My only saving grace is going to be if she’s out partying or up studying.
    Me: I miss your face.
    I set the phone in my lap and stare out the front window, refusing to make eye contact with Drew. I feel Max’s gaze burning a hole in the back of my head, but I still ignore it. The feeling ebbs when my phone starts vibrating.
    Jacey: More than you’ll know. Why are you up so late?
    Me: I’m like 14 hours ahead of you, Jay. It’s Wednesday already.
    Jacey: I keep forgetting LOL
    Me: Are you studying or partying?
    Jacey: Neither. I’m talking Nate off a ledge. The kid misses you and it’s only been a few days.
    Me: Oh