Derailed by Alyssa Rose Ivy Page A

you had a bit of a wild side to you in high school then?” Gavin laughed.
    “Molly and Kelly both had a wild streak growing up. Seriously, these two always knew how to get into trouble,” Tom happily supplied.
    Kelly playfully hit Tom on the back. “We weren’t that bad. Don’t exaggerate.”
    “How many times were the two of you busted for skinny dipping? Or wait, what about the time you took Mr. Cleaver’s boat for a joyride, or when you were caught drinking on the junior high roof?”
    Gavin burst out laughing. “It doesn’t sound like you were wild as much as you were good at getting caught. Although, I have to know, do you still have a thing for skinny dipping?”
    “Kelly doesn’t, but I can’t vouch for Molly.” Tom went to the fridge to pull out more beers, passing them out.
    “You two also had such a death wish with those tracks. How many times were you caught partying out there?”
    “Are we done discussing our juvenile delinquencies?” I could laugh at most of it, but I wasn’t ready to get into a conversation about the train tracks, not if I didn’t want to end up crying.
    “Don’t you guys need to go check on the steaks?” Kelly saved me, giving me a sympathetic look before shooing the men outside. “Do you want a minute?”
    “No, I’m good.”
    “All right. Shall we?” She opened the patio door for me.
    Dinner was pleasant. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a meal that didn’t consist of random foods thrown together, let alone steak. I ate everything on my plate and then had seconds.
    “Geez, no one’s been feeding you, huh?” Tom joked, as I finished my second plate.
    “No, we aren’t all lucky enough to have men like you in our lives,” I said in a sugary sweet voice.
    Kelly glared at me, and Gavin chuckled.
    “Very funny. Kelly can tell you that I help.”
    “I bet, and the steak was great.”
    “Thank you. I’m sure you realize you’re always welcome here for dinner.”
    “Okay, you need to wait until after the wedding before you talk like you’re middle-aged parents.” I couldn’t keep a straight face.
    “I’m not going to acknowledge that comment.”
    I laughed, getting up to help clear the plates.
    “You don’t have to do that,” Kelly said quickly.
    “I don’t mind. I’ll probably get going soon, though.” I wanted to escape another invitation from Gavin. He seemed like a nice enough guy, and he was definitely attractive, but dating anyone sounded like a terrible idea. It’s not that I didn’t crave physical contact, I definitely did. I just couldn’t stomach the emotional side of things. Maybe Gavin would be more than happy to merely have a fling, but I doubted it. In the little time I had talked to him, he seemed like a man on a mission to find Ms. Right, and if anything, I was Ms. Wrong.
    “All right, but before I forget, want to go shopping for bridesmaid dresses soon?” Kelly asked.
    “Sure, sounds great.” I hoped I sounded more enthusiastic than I felt.
    “Are you sure you need to head home already?” Gavin asked.
    “Unfortunately yes, but it was great seeing all of you.”
    I brought my dishes into the kitchen and took off before Gavin could offer me a ride.

 
    Chapter Seven
    There was a blue Ford truck parked on the street out front when I got home. I walked down the driveway to check it out, wary about who it could be. A quick examination made its owner abundantly clear. The variety of bumper stickers advertising Mathews Fishing Tours and the Grizzlies was a dead giveaway.
    What was Ben doing at my house?
    I assumed he was around back, but decided to go inside first to drop off my bag. I took one step inside and heard the music—Snow Patrol—a song I only had on a mix CD Ben made me senior year.
    I took the stairs slowly, pausing at the door to my room. Ben looked up from his spot on my floor. “Hey, feeling nostalgic, huh?” He held up a few pictures from the box of mementoes I hadn’t returned to my closet