Free Hot & Nerdy by Shannyn Schroeder

dialed while the coffee brewed.
    â€œHey, what’s up? You in Texas?”
    â€œYes, I’m here and it’s beautiful. Are you going to make it?”
    Layla’s heart sank. Felicity was counting on her to have a good time. “I don’t think so. Phin said it’ll take a couple of days to fix my car. Best case, it’ll be done on Wednesday. By the time I drive there, it would be time to turn around and head back to school.”
    The thought of returning to school created an odd sensation in her gut. Kind of like anxiety amplified. Not school. She’d never had that reaction to school. School was comfortable and safe. She always knew what to expect and what to do.
    But returning after break was the beginning of the end. Only weeks until graduation and starting over.
    â€œNo. That’s awful. What am I supposed to do?”
    â€œWhat do you mean? Have fun. You’re capable of doing this, Felicity. Whenever you’re presented with an opportunity, don’t do what you would normally do. Stop and think ‘What would Charlie and Layla want me to do?’ Then do that.” She ignored Felicity’s groan. “Speaking of Charlie, have you heard from her?”
    â€œShe texted that she was having dinner with Ethan last night, but she hasn’t responded to my texts today to tell me what happened.”
    â€œWait a minute. You’re on spring break and instead of going out and enjoying yourself, you’re sitting there texting Charlie and calling me? Leave the hotel room.”
    â€œI left earlier.”
    Layla thought for a minute. “For breakfast, right?”
    Felicity’s lack of answer was confirmation.
    â€œPut on your swimsuit, pack a bag, and leave. Promise me that you won’t go back to your room for at least the next six hours.”
    â€œWhat am I supposed to do for six hours?”
    â€œSwim, sunbathe, drink, pick up a gorgeous guy, eat, drink some more, make friends.”
    â€œThat’s a lot of stuff I’m not good at.”
    â€œPromise.”
    â€œI’ll try.”
    â€œDo or do not. There is no try.”
    Felicity laughed. “Don’t you think it’s time to let go of the Star Wars quotes?”
    â€œBlasphemer.” Layla poured a cup of coffee and sipped, relishing the first jolt of the day. “Go have fun. I plan to.”
    â€œI’m sure you do.” Felicity’s voice held a hint of jealousy. “How did you meet this guy?”
    â€œI met him at a bar. We played pool, and, when my bag went missing, he helped me find it and offered me a place to stay. Plus, he’s the mechanic who’s working on my car.” Layla thought about the many ways she’d lucked out by walking into that bar on Saturday. “He’s so much fun, Felicity. We spent the day yesterday playing pool at a bunch of different places. And we made money doing it.”
    â€œIsn’t that illegal?”
    â€œA friendly game of pool?”
    â€œIt’s not friendly if there’s money involved.”
    â€œIt’s fine. And the sex, oh God, the sex is fabulous. He’s rough and gentle and fast and slow and makes my head spin.”
    â€œYeah, I got that part when I called the other night.”
    Just thinking about having sex with Phin made her horny all over again. “But it’s more. He’s a good guy. He’s strong, and there’s a hint of mystery around him. He’s a gypsy, Felicity. A gypsy. Can you even imagine what living like that would be like? No responsibility other than to your family, traveling around, no regular job. Most of them are con artists, I think, but it’s such a different life.”
    Until trying to explain it to her friend, Layla hadn’t really thought about why she’d been so drawn to Phin and his life. She shouldn’t have been, since he seemed to be doing his best to leave that part of himself behind, at least if she went by