Free Finding Us by Megan Smith, Sommer Stein, Sarah Jones, Toski Covey Page A

back up and rip off a piece, “I don’t want to sound like I’m prying or anything but how often are you and Tanner here? I got the impression that it was only used for a shore house.” I rip off another piece and secure the other side.
    Rhea picks up a hair brush and starts brushing the knots from her hair. “We used to be here all the time but not so much in the last few years. We haven’t really taken all our things home with us because we’re hoping things will go back to normal eventually.” She stops brushing her hair and looks down at the brush in her hands. “This house holds a lot of memories for all of us.”
    A flush creeps across my cheeks, embarrassed that I look like I’m trying to dig up dirt on Knox. “I don’t want to seem like I’m prying but I feel like I’ve been missing something since we got here. If there are so many memories how come the house is so empty? There aren’t any pictures anywhere, no personal stuff lying around. The house feels so cold.”
    Rhea looks back down to her hands, “When she left, all of the memories that were spread throughout the house did too, even the ones of his parents.”
    My stomach drops, “Who is she?”
    Rhea’s eyes are so sad and glassy with unshed tears, “You’ll have to ask Knox. It’s not my story to tell.”
    Summer clears her throat loudly. I almost forgot she was in the room with us. “Let’s get your hair up, Jas, and then I’ll help Rhea real quick and we’ll be on our way.” Summer says, steering the conversation in a different direction.
    Rhea and I both nod in agreement with Summer. While she’s working on my hair my mind starts to wonder who this girl could be. I’m really curious who she is. Could it be his mom, I doubt it. A sister? Could be. A girlfriend is the only thing I would think that would really affect Knox. I think if it was a family member then both Rex and Knox would take it really hard.
    Summer places both hands on my shoulders and whispers in my ear. “I see that mind of yours turning. I’m not sure what happened but I’ll get it out of Rex. Now place a smile on that beautiful face of yours and let’s have some fun.”
    I grin at Summer; leave it to my best friend to make me feel better. She is on my side and one way or another, together we will figure out what’s going on.
     
    As Summer is finishing up with Rhea’s hair, Tanner pops in but his eyes go wide at the site of his girlfriend. I glance over at Rhea and gave her a ‘told you so’ smile.
    Tanner stalks right over to Rhea and kisses her until they are both breathless. “Cabs will be here in like twenty minutes.”
    “K, Sugar Lips,” Rhea coos as she wipes her lipstick from Tanner’s mouth.
    “You guys are so cute.” Summer says as she applies some lip gloss to her lips.
    Rhea winks in Tanner’s direction. Then she quickly glances at Summer, “Thanks.”
    I stuff my clutch with my ID, lip gloss, money and my cell phone. Just as I zipper it shut one of the guys yell up that the cabs are here.
    I’m first to walk down the steps. I hear someone curse, I look up, and I’m met with Jeremy’s heated eyes. My cheeks burn red but I manage to smile and keep walking. Cade opens the front door and catches me coming down the stairs and he lets out a low whistle.
    “Damn girl.” Cade licks his lips and I can’t help but laugh. The more I’m around Cade the more he grows on me. He’s completely harmless and wouldn’t lay a finger on me but he likes to mess around with me.
    When I get to the bottom of the stairs I step aside, slightly nervous as I wait on Knox’s approval but I don’t see him anywhere. The girls come down and are both yanked into their man’s hands. This is the biggest PDA I’ve seen from Summer and Rex since I guess they decided to see where things led.
    I ask Jeremy and Cade who are still eyeing me up and down. Pretty soon they are going to be drooling. “So who’s going with who?” I say, motioning towards the front