Free Stand Close 3 (Stand Close New Adult Romance Series) by Sabrina Lacey Page A

We’d all gotten caught up in it, but Jack’s right, it’s time to put it behind us so we can all heal from the pain we felt. Rue climbs off the chair and hugs Sean. His arms encircle her as Laney Turner walks up and interrupts.
    “Well, aren’t you two the magic wonders of the elite world!” Descending upon us with two shorter men behind her, Laney beams that famous plastic smile with her greedy, gossip-starved eyes soaking in Rue and Sean’s hug as the two separate. The group looks up at her with gravity.
    “Good to see you again, Laney,” Jack says, bobbing his head up as hello.
    “And you!” She points a dragon-yellow painted nail at their sister. “After I ran into you at Boa, I wanted to interview you, but now I’m thinking if I could interview the three of you, the world would be so grateful.”
    “But you wouldn’t be grateful at all,” Jack smirks, losing his normal flirtatious way he talks with her.
    She notices, but lets it go over her head - eye on the goal. “So, can I pencil you in?”
    Sean leans back and shrugs, also not playing the game anymore. “We’ll think about it. Oh, and…I’m gay.”
    For once in her life, Laney is speechless.
    “We’ll give you a call Laney. Good to see you,” Rue wiggles her fingers in a wave. Laney blinks a couple times and turns around, but then slaps her hands together. “Sean! You must love me!” Dancing off with the two guys in tow, she pulls out her phone.
    “Did you want to make her year?” Jack asks, wryly.
    Sean just grins. “Nah. I’ve been telling everyone .”
    Broken Bells launches into October, one of my favorite songs of theirs, and people cheer all around the yard. The five of us sit and listen for a few songs, enjoying the privilege. At the fourth song, The High Road, Rue twists in her chair to look in the direction of the food trucks. “Have you guys tried the BBQ? I want to stay and listen, but I’m starving!”
    I object loudly, “How can you be hungry with this song on? Come on!” She winks at me, knowing I’m only playing.
    Jenna’s leaned back with her arms casually over her head. “Yep, when you were in talking with Mrs. Stone, I had some nibbles. The Thai is pretty good, but the pupusas were my favorites. I tried them all. ‘Cause that’s how I play it.”
    Rue wrinkles her nose. “Poo poo what?”
    Her friend leans toward her, long dark hair hanging toward the ground between the two chairs. “Pupusas! They’re Salvadorian. Like Pancakes but not. Beans and cheese inside. So good.”
    “Is there avocado?” Rue asks, more interested by the second.
    “There is. And salsa,” Jenna says in a tempting voice. “Mmmm… salsa and avocado.”
    Rue leaps out of the chair. “Okay. You got me!”
    Jenna laughs, leaning back, announcing to her male audience of three, “She’s a sucker for Mexican food. You guys should see her at my family’s parties. Never leaves the damn guacamole bowl until it’s gone. I had to hide it from her once.”
    Laughing, Rue walks away, holding a finger up behind her. “I still can’t believe you did that to me. That was just mean!”
    As Jenna calls without looking back, “Desperate times call for desperate measures. You were needed on the dance floor!” Jack jumps up to follow Rue. I watch him, wondering what he’s doing, and catch Sean looking at me.
    “I’m glad you’re back,” I tell him.
    Sean smiles. “Me, too. It’s good to see you.”
    I make a happy noise and drink my beer, turning to the stage.

Chapter Fourteen

Jack
    C atching up to Rue , she turns her head and surprise flickers across her face, replaced by a quick smile. “Well, hello.”
    “Hey.” I match the pace of her walk. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”
    A hint of worry glints behind her soft brown eyes. “Oh?”
    “Yeah, can you stop walking for a second?”
    She stops, tucking a chunk of hair behind her ear. “Something wrong? Oh, God…”
    “What?” I frown, not liking her