“Yeah, I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure that Jackson would find you thinking that I am a flight attendant pretty hilarious, actually.” I wanted to reach out and smooth a lock of his black hair as it flopped over his forehead when he shook his head.

“You really think so? ‘Cause I haven’t seen him find very much of anything that funny when it comes to his girls,” Drake replied.

“Jackson can be protective, but he also has a good sense of humor. Trust me. He takes great enjoyment in teasing me all the time.” I smiled at Drake, thinking that it was nice to be able to talk to him without sounding like a complete idiot.

Drake’s deep chuckle in response sent shivers down my spine. “Are you and your dad set for somewhere to stay while you’re here? If not, you guys can head to my parents’ house with me for the night.”

“Aren’t your parents hosting a party this weekend and that’s why you had to fly out?” I asked, confused as to why he was being so nice all of the sudden. His mood swings were bound to give me whiplash.

He nodded, his eyes twinkling with humor. “Yes, but there’s plenty of room at their place. I’m sure you and your dad could bunk down in the pool house. It might be easier since I’m not sure what time I will be ready to leave tomorrow, and I’d feel better if I could tell Jackson that you were covered for the night. Your dad’s here to chaperone, so it’s not like he’ll think anything is going on between us.”

“Why would Jackson think that we’d need a chaperone to stay at your parents’ house for one night? He’s protective, but he’s not that bad,” I answered.

“Hey, I just don’t want there to be any confusion on his part. He’s my frat brother, and I feel like we’re becoming good friends. I don’t want to step on his toes at all here.” Drake crossed his arms over his chest, and it felt like he was putting up a wall between us even as we were talking.

“Well, I am sure he would appreciate it, but he knows I’m a big girl and can take care of myself. It’s not like he keeps me on a leash or anything.”

Drake snorted in response, his smirk turning into a full-out smile. God, he was even more gorgeous when he smiled at me. “You’d know better than I would about that, wouldn’t you? From what I’ve heard, a leash doesn’t sound too far-fetched. A shame he found you first.”

What the hell had he just said? Something about me, a leash, and Jackson? I must have lost track of this conversation somewhere. I could feel the blush burning its way up my neck and into my cheeks as I started to get royally pissed off. “Whoa, hold up a second there. What in the hell type of relationship do you think I have with Jackson anyway? ‘Cause I gotta tell you, the closest he and I have gotten to a leash would be walking his mom’s dog.”

“He takes you to his mom’s house?” Drake asked. Apparently, he couldn’t feel the laser beams my eyes were shooting at him. He didn’t seem to be quaking in fear since his damn lips were still smirking at me. Even angry, I wanted to lean over and bite his bottom lip. Damn it!

“Yeah, why wouldn’t he? It’s not like I even need an invitation from him since I’ve known his mom even longer than I’ve known him. And asking me a dumb-ass question isn’t answering mine!”

“Language,” Drake growled at me. Now he was correcting my language? In the middle of an argument? When he doesn’t even really know me? You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!

“Stop right there! I get that you’re hot. I am sure lots of girls will put up with your crap because they want to be with you. But that’s not me. First of all, you have no right to tell me how I can and cannot speak. Second of all, the only reason I am swearing in the first place is because you are being an A-S-S. There. Is it better for you that I spelled it instead of just saying it?” I held my hand up as he started to answer me. “No, I am not done yet. I don’t know what you think you know about me, but the only thing you do need to know is that I will not put up with you judging me. You got that?”

Drake’s head went back as he howled with laughter. I started to storm off to look for my dad so we could head out, but Drake’s hand gripped mine as I swung away from him. He held on tight as he pulled me toward him.

“Alexa, babe. Didn’t mean to set you off. I jumped to a conclusion when we met. One that was clearly as wrong as thinking you were the flight attendant when I got on the plane today. I don’t often find myself in this position, but will you please accept my apology? Again?” His finger rubbed the skin on my palm as he looked into my eyes. “I’d really like it if you would come with me to my parents’ house. I want the chance to explain.”