I'm on my hands and knees in the bathroom when Cade finds me Tuesday night. Looking up at him, flashes of Saturday swarm through my head.
I had fun.
More fun than I've had in a while and it's all thanks to him.
And his hilarious group of friends. All of them made me feel so welcome and by the time the sun began to set I felt like a part of the crew just like Cade said I would.
"Hey Cade." I stop scrubb the tub and lean back against my heel to give him my full attention.
"Looking good Cinderella." He teases, making me roll my eyes. Bone tired, sweaty, and covered with God knows what, I do feel like Cinderella.
Before she meets Prince Charming of course.
"Can I help you smartass?" I grin. "Some of us are still working." I notice that he isn't in his uniform anymore.
"That's why I came to find you. It's looks like a big storm is going to hit so Drew is sending his staff home early. I'm about to head out. Do you want a lift?"
"Oh. Well I'm not done with my work here yet." I say, looking around the tub that I need to finish scrubbing and I still need to sanitize the sink. "But you can go on ahead. I'll just catch the bus home tonight."
He frowns, obviously not liking the idea. "I don't want you catching the bus in this weather." He tells me.
"I'll be fine." It wouldn't be the first time I got stuck in the rain while waiting for the bus.
Cade looks like he's going to argue with me more but my attention leaves him and focus on the person standing behind him. Cade turns around so now we're both staring at Drew.
Even though I've been working for Drew for over a week now I don't see him much. He's always out and when he is around he's never alone. Sometimes they were guys, members of his crew, but most of the time it's a girl. I wonder if Layla would still think he walks on water if she knew the way he treats girls. With every day I spent around Drew I'm liking less and less that this is the guy Layla is aspiring to have as a boyfriend.
When he isn't barking orders at me or ignoring me completely, sometimes I feel like he's watching me. I try very hard to be invisible around him and it seemed to be working...until now.
I wonder what he sees when he looks at me.
I'm just another maid. Another employee. Another signature on a paycheck.
"Good evening Mr. Lyons." Cade greets him, formally.
"You can go Cade. I'll make sure Mia gets home safely." Drew says, his tone cool and leaving no room for argument.
Cade glances back at me and I smile, reassuring him that I'm okay with this. I'm not going to actually accept a ride from Drew, but he doesn't need to know that.
"Okay." He says finally after a moment of debating what he should do. "I'll see you tomorrow Mia."
I wave bye then Cade turns on his heel and retreats down the hall, once again leaving me alone with Drew.
"You don't have to give me a ride, I'm okay with taking the bus. Really." I tell him as I stand up straight. It feels weird being on my knees while he stands in front me like I'm some sort of sex slave or something.
"It's no problem." He smiles at me and my stomach does that weird fluttery thing like the first time he smiled at me on my second day here.
He isn't bringing me home, but I'll save the argument until I'm done cleaning. "Well thanks." I look around at the cleaning supplies that are still out. "I um, have to finish this up."
"You can finish that tomorrow."
And give him and Ms. Nancy an excuse to think I'm slacking on the job?
No thank you.
"I'd like to finish it now if you don't mind." I argue. Surprise flickers in his eyes then an easy smile appears on his face.
"Okay. Finish up. I'll be downstairs waiting for you when you're done." He tells me. I nod my head in response before going back to work.
It takes me another fifteen minutes before I'm done with the bathroom. I put the cleaning supplies away then wash my hands before changing into my own clothes.
Drew is waiting for me downstairs in the foyer like he said he would.
"I'm taking the bus home." I announce when I see him.
"Doesn't look like either of us are going anywhere." Drew replies and I arch a brow at him.
"Why not?"
Wordlessly Drew opens the front door and I see the heavy rain coming down from the dark sky. Thunder strikes and I jump back, frightened.
"Looks like we're staying in." Drew says as he shuts and locks the door.
"But- But I need to get home." I argue. There's no way I'm staying here with Drew alone.
"It's cool if you stay here for a few hours. I really don't mind." He tells me, which I think is supposed to be reassuring but it isn't.
"I wouldn't want to intrude." I try again.
"Mia, it's cool." He promises me. "Is there a reason why you're scared of being alone with me?"
Is there a reason? I'm not even sure. I'm still not a fan but I've been around him long enough now that those brown eyes of his were starting to have an effect on me.
But I can't let him know that.
"No." I finally answer, cursing underneath my breath when I hear how my voice betrays me.
Drew smiles like he knows I'm lying and that just makes me annoyed.
"I'll be in the living room until the storm blows over." I turn and walk away from him. I hear his soft thudded footsteps behind me but I don't stop to ask him why he's following me.
With the storm brewing, the dark grey sky looks even more beautiful and intimidating as I stare at it from the wall to wall window in the living area.
"You shouldn't stand too close to that, with all the lightning and thunder going on." Drew warns me.
"You shouldn't have a wall to wall window in a state most popular for hurricanes." I shoot back.
He chuckles lightly, it's a nice throaty sound that brings a smile to my own lips. But he's right. It's not safe to stand this close but I can't take a step back.
"It's beautiful right?" Drew's voice is louder, and I realize he moved to stand next to me.
"It is." I agree, admiring the way the palm trees swayed from the wind. "It's my favorite part of this house.
"It was my reason for buying this house." Drew confesses. "I saw it and I thought if I can look out this view for the rest of my life I'd be happy."
"It's an amazing view." I say wistfully, still staring out the window.
"Yeah, it is." I turn my head to see Drew staring at me, brown eyes gleaming.
For some reason I blush and I'm finally able to step away. Shoving my hand in the pockets of my sweats, I look nervously around the room.
"You don't have to keep me company you know? I'm fine waiting out the storm alone." I say.
"But what if I need the company?" He retaliates.
"What, those half-naked girls aren't cutting it anymore?" I challenge him.
"You sound jealous."
I scoff. "Not even a little bit."
"If I'm being honest I rather spend my time relaxing at home. People think I love to party when honestly I prefer to be alone."
"You're surrounded by so many people all the time, of course you like to be alone." I nod my head.
"Well not right now." Drew says while looking at me. "I like my company." He's smiling at me and I smile back .
"You must get lonely when everyone leaves." I surprise myself by saying.
"I'm lonely when everyone is here." Drew confess, taking me by surprise.
"Really?" I take a seat on the white couch.
"It's hard to keep the friendships I had back home. Once the fame hit they all started using our friendship for their own gain and I wasn't okay with that. And I've made some great friends through the industry, people who I trust, but half the time I wonder if those friendships are a lifetime or as long as my career."
"That must suck." I say. "Not knowing who like you for you or for what you can do for them."
"Suck isn't the word I would use," Drew replies as he takes a seat next to me. "But yeah, it does."
I can see that this conversation is making him sad and I don't like that. I want to see that easy smile on his face from before.
"Well at least you don't have to worry about me. I can care less about the fact that you were on last years issue of Men's Health." I tell him, which he responds to with a raised brow. I put up a hand to stop what I know he's thinking. "Not what you think. My sister has the cover framed in our bedroom." I defend myself.
"Your sister... right. Wouldn't be the first time I heard that one." He says in a teasing voice.
"Yes, my sister!" I laugh. "I'm not making her up!" I push his shoulder.
"Okay, okay. I believe you." He laughs and that heart-melting smile that I wanted to see appears.
"You better." I giggle. A nice quiet falls over us but it isn't awkward. Thunder hits again and it's immediately followed by lightning. "I should probably call my mom. She's alone since my sister is at summer camp." I tell him, pulling out my phone.
"Go ahead."
I stand up and walk over to find a quiet corner to make my phone call.
Celine answers just as I'm about to hang up and try again.
"Hey mom, it's me." I say when she doesn't say anything.
"I know who it is child, I have caller I.D." She yells at me. "What do you want?"
"I just wanted to check on you. It's raining really bad tonight. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I'm a big girl, I can handle a little rain." She waves off my worry.
"Okay. I'm staying at work a little bit longer until the rain stops. Are you going to be okay until I get there?"
"Yes girl, I'll be fine." She pauses. "Ooh yes, just like that baby." I hear her say as she sucks in her breath.
"Mom?" I stare at the phone.
I get a moan as a response.
Oh God.
Was she having sex?
"Um, mom I'll see you later." I say, dying to get off the phone.
"Okay bye baby!" She calls out quickly before I hear a crashing sound in the background then the line goes dead.
There are just some things a daughter should never hear or imagine their mother doing. Ever.
I shudder at the imagine of my mother and some guy in my head before slipping my phone back into my pocket. At least she isn't alone, I think to myself before going back into the living room.
Drew isn't there and I wander around the house, searching for him until I find him in the kitchen.
He's opening the refrigerator and pulling out two bottles of beer.
Our eyes lock when he looks up at the sound of my approach.
"Want one?" He holds one out to me.
I shake my head. "Pass."
"I figured you must be hungry." Drew says and as if on cue, my stomach grumbles. I hadn't eaten much during my lunch break, even though Ms. Victoria did make the best pasta I've ever tasted. But that was hours ago, and I now I wish I ate more.
"Just a little bit." I answer.
Drew grins. "Well lucky for you this kitchen is always well-stocked and you just happen to be with one of the greatest cooks in Easton."
"You cook?" I arch a brow at him as I slide onto one of the white stools seated at the breakfast bar. "Can't say I'm not surprised."
"I'm full of surprises." Drew says before walking over to the counter and bringing over a plate with two grill cheese sandwiches on top. "A grill cheese for me. A grilled cheese for you."
Fighting a stupid grin, I can't help but laugh. "This is what the greatest chef cooks?"
"Hey, this happens to be the greatest grilled cheese you'll ever have in your life."
I stare at the sandwich, not really sure what to do.
"It's just a sandwich Mia." Drew adds when he sees I'm being reluctant. "What, you think I poisoned it? Maybe drugged it? Here," He said picking up one of the halves. "I'll prove it to you." Drew opened his mouth and took a large bite of his sandwich. A growl of pleasure emanated from his throat and I stare at him wide eyed. He makes the sound again before swallowing.
"That was your sandwich. You proved nothing." I tell him cheekily. Drew stares at me in disbelief and I can't help but laugh.
"I'm just messing with you." I tell him before I pick up my grilled cheese and bring it to my lips to take the first bite the same moment Drew leans in and bites the other end of my sandwich and I swear I almost choke.
"Are you always this friendly with your female employees?"
"No." He admits unashamed.
"Then why are you being so nice to me?"
"You want me to be honest?" Drew shoves both hands down the navy blue joggers he's wearing.
"Honesty is always the best way to go."
"I know the story behind your mom and I know it's just you taking care of your little sister right now until your mom gets out of rehab."
"I'm not some charity case." This is humiliating. The only reason he's being nice to me is because he feels sorry for my sister and me
Drew frowns. "I don't think you're a charity case Mia. I think it's admirable what you're doing, stepping in like that for your sister. She's lucky to have you."
"Thanks." I say softly, feeling embarrassed.
"And because you're beautiful." He adds.
"What?"
"Those eyes of yours framed with those long ass lashes..." He shakes his head while blowing out a breath. "Damn thing need to come with a warning sign before you look at someone."
"You like my eyes?" I hear myself asking.
"Among other things."
I press my lips together, not sure what to say to that.
"Why don't we take this to the theater room? Watch a movie while we wait?" He suggests and I narrow my eyes at him. Drew chuckles. "I'm not trying to make a move. You've made it pretty clear that you aren't interested. I just want to watch a movie, pass some time since this storm doesn't look like it's going to pass any time soon."
A movie would make the time go by faster...
I agree and follow him into the theater room I didn't even know he had. But then again, what self respecting superstar wouldn't have their own theater in their home?
The room is wide and looks just like an actual movie theater does.There are rows of tan reclining chairs, all with cup-holders, and they all face an impressive super wide screen TV.
"So this is how the other side live..." I breathe as I glance around the room.
"It's refreshing you know." Drew says, catching my attention. I look over to see him standing by the television looking at me.
"What is?"
"Your reaction to everything. All the people I bring here don't even bat an eye, like it's normal to live in a house that's big enough for five families or to have a private home theater. I forgot what it's like to be amazed and thankful."
"Glad I can remind you." Drew chuckles softly and I smile in response before breaking eye contact.
"What do you want to watch?"
I shrug. I don't think he'd like to watch Friends. "You choose."
"Let's go through some names and see what we both like?" He suggests.
I silently eat my food while Drew searches for something the both of us would like to watch.
Finally we decide to watch 90's cartoons.
For a while neither of us say anything. Drew is wrapped up in an episode of Hey Arnold and I'm wrapped up in him. As hard as I tried not to notice things about him this whole time, it's hard not to notice them now. Things I like. Like the way he tightens his jaw when taking a sip of his drink. Or the way his biceps looks against the white fabric of his shirt. Or the light stubble on his face. Or the way he smell, like vanilla and something else entirely him.
Together we watch the first few episodes of the hit 90's cartoon, laughing at all the old scenes we laughed at as kids, and commenting on things we notice now that we're older.
"Helga is every teenage girls spirit animal." I tell Drew, unable to keep from laughing as I watch Helga say her dramatic monologue about how in love she is with Arnold.
"I can't believe we never questioned why Harold only had one tooth." Drew laughs along with me.
We continued until the end credits roll. Soft brown eyes are the last thing I remember before everything goes black.