The Next Line ( The Lineage Series #2)

Chapter 7

Lena snorts. "Yeah, because Preston's a wet blanket and Joshuan looks at you like you're his next fight."

I roll my eyes. "Stop."

"I'm serious," Ginny says. "Tell me I'm wrong."

I stay quiet.

Because I can't.

"So... what's the plan?"

Lena leans in. "You sticking with Preston? Or are we finally living our best 'fall for your brother's best friend' fantasy?"

I laugh, but it's a nervous laugh.

Because deep down?

I don't know the answer.

Preston feels safe.

Comfortable.

Predictable.

But Joshuan?

He's fire.

Dangerous.

And the way he's been looking at me lately?

Yeah.

I'm not imagining it anymore.

And that's what scares me.

Because if I take that step...

There's no going back.

Lena and Ginny are still laughing when we leave the café.

"Text us the second you dump him!" Ginny calls out as we hug goodbye.

"Don't listen to her," Lena adds with a wink. "Unless you're going straight to Joshuan's house after this."

I roll my eyes, but my face is burning.

"I'm not dumping anyone today, and I'm definitely not doing... that."

They both snicker, and I wave them off as I slide into my car, trying to shake the conversation.

Because they're not wrong.

They're so not wrong.

But the last thing I need is them feeding this thing I've been trying to deny since I was old enough to realize Joshuan wasn't just Jamie's best friend anymore.

Except...

As soon as I pull into the driveway at home, the universe laughs right back in my face.

Because guess whose car is parked next door?

And guess who's leaning against the hood, sipping a water bottle like he didn't just walk straight out of a daydream?

Joshuan.

Of course.

Of course he's standing there.

Tank top.
Sweatpants hanging low on his hips.
Tattoos on full display.
And that damn chain glinting in the sunlight like he knows exactly how reckless it makes me feel.

I sit in the car for a second, pretending to scroll on my phone like an idiot.

Like he hasn't already spotted me.

Because of course he has.

I finally get out, pretending like this is no big deal, like my heart isn't hammering in my chest.

And right on cue—

"Look who's back," Joshuan calls out, his voice smooth and low, like this is his favorite part of the day.

I give him a small smile. "Hey."

He pushes off the car and takes a few steps toward the sidewalk, stopping just close enough that I have to tilt my head to meet his eyes.

"How's the now future ballerina of Juilliard doing?"

There's that word again.

Juilliard.

And hearing it from him somehow feels better than hearing it from anyone else.

I shrug. "Still sinking in."

"Don't let him get to you," he says, like it's nothing. Like he didn't just casually throw my entire relationship into the conversation.

I blink. "You know do yo-?"

He smirks. "I know everything, princesa."

I roll my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest to hide the fact that I'm blushing.

"You're annoying."

"And you're terrible at pretending you're not thinking about me."

My jaw drops. "Excuse me?"

He just grins and shrugs like it's not the boldest thing he's ever said to me.

"Is Jamie home?" he asks next, like we didn't just cross a line we can't uncross.

"No."

"Good."

And with that, he walks back to his car like we didn't just have a conversation that might ruin everything.

Or maybe...

Start something.

Because my heart's still racing.

And I'm still standing there in the middle of my house.