“I’m not going,” Drew announced. “I’m too busy.”

“You’re lounging by my pool. How busy can you be?” I shook my head in frustration. Depressed Drew made Eeyore seem positively giddy.

“Well, I am right now, but I have lots of stuff I need to do.” He crossed his arms over his chest and burrowed deeper into the cushion.

“You’ve been working on your tan at my place since we left Vegas a week ago,” I grumbled. “As far as I can tell, your ‘stuff” has consisted of rolling from stomach to back and back to stomach while drinking me out of my best Scotch.”

“I said I’d replace it. You know I’m good for it.” Drew sat up and glared at me. He cleared his throat and I knew exactly what he was about to say, because he’d said it roughly six times a day since he took up residence at my place seven long, miserable days ago.

“Wait. Let me guess. You inherited a ton of money from your recently deceased uncle, which, along with your trust fund, probably makes you the richest among us. Oh, and you’ve also decided you’ve inherited his lifestyle and fully expect to die sad and alone.” My brow rose in challenge. “Did I leave anything out?”

He shrugged. “That about covers it, I guess.” Then he lay back down on the lounger. “I mean, I couldn’t even find a hook-up in Vegas. How pathetic is that?”

“Not as pathetic as you staying drunk for more than a week,” I muttered while I stood and grabbed my towel from the back of my chair.

“What was that? If you have something to say, don’t worry about holding back now.” Drew stood rather unsteadily to look me in the eye. “Just let it all out.”

“Lay off the booze. You’re becoming a drunk.” I wrapped my towel around my shoulders. “If you don’t give your liver a break, you won’t get to die old, sad, and alone. You’ll die young. Is that what you want?”

The color drained from Drew’s face. “No.” His chin dropped and he stared at the patio. “I don’t want to die, but right now, I don’t know how to live.” He blew out a breath.

I sank back down in my chair. “Are you suicidal? Do I need to get help?” I swallowed hard, but this was as close as Drew had ever come to admitting he was depressed.

He dropped onto the end of the lounger. “No. I said I don’t want to die.” He huffed like I was an annoyance. “I don’t know what to do with myself.”

“Like a career? Because having a job and responsibilities is a good start.” I leaned on my knees and studied him more closely than I had before.

Drew shrugged. “I don’t know. There’s nothing I like.”

“You could buy a bar?” I had to dig deep for that one and winced as soon as I spoke the words.

He let out a hollow laugh. “I don’t think being around alcohol is the best idea for me anymore. As you’ve been so kind to point out, I’m quick to climb into a bottle when faced with adversity.”

“Didn’t you go to school for something?” I scratched my head, which felt tender and hot.

“Law.” Drew sighed.

“Oh, well then, go be a lawyer.” I grinned, thinking the problem would be solved.

He shook his head. “I can’t.”

“Why the hell not?” I threw my hands in the air.

“I never took the bar.” He paused and glanced at me weakly before sighing and explaining. “I was finishing my law degree when my father suggested I intern at his firm. After spending a week there, I’d already changed my mind about being a lawyer. Then he actually suggested I should join the firm.”

“That bastard.” I rolled my eyes.

Drew leaned forward. “You don’t understand. I saw my life flashing before my eyes.”

“Whoa.” I stopped him before he could say another word. “Like death? You equate being a lawyer with a near death experience? You’re truly insane.”

“Did I say that, jackass?” He glared at me. “No, I thought of working with my father, slowly morphing into him and copying his life was a death sentence. Got it?”

I tugged at my chin. “Okay, I can see that. I don’t want to be my father either. Still, I knew I had to be something, someone. I had to have a job.”

“Why?” Drew shrugged lazily. “You’re rich. You already have everything you need. Why work?”

“Did no one teach you about money?” I frowned. “If money only goes out and never comes in…”

“Fresh inheritance.” He laced his fingers behind his head and released a sigh of relief.

I groaned. “Yes, but how many more people have to die to support your lifestyle, Drew?”

“What? It’s not like I kill them. They die. I inherit. No big deal.”

“Hard to believe you’re single.” I stood, stretched, and then started toward the patio doors.

“Where are you going?” Drew stared at me, eyes wide.

“I told you. I’m going to support our best friend. Ty has invited us to the hotel. He says he has news. I plan to be there for it.” I laid my hand on the door handle. “Come if you want. Don’t if you don’t. I’ll be fine either way.” I pulled open the door and started to walk inside.

“Fine. How long are we staying?” He wore an exaggerated frown as he stood.

“A couple of days, I guess. I cleared my schedule for the week. I’m overdue for a vacation.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket.

“You were just in Vegas last weekend. Damn. I want your job.” Drew shuffled over to me in his sandals.

“No, you don’t. I work with…”

“Starlets. I know what you do. Let’s drive so you can bore me with stories of your casting couch.” He snickered.

I rubbed my forehead. “Maybe you should stay. You’re absolutely exhausting. I could use a break from you too.”

“That may be the meanest thing you’ve ever said to me.” Drew stumbled into the house behind me. “There were some zingers in middle school, a few ‘your mama’ jokes that may have crossed the line, but deep down, I knew we were still on good terms.” His shoulders drooped. “This time, I’m not so sure.”

I draped the towel over the back of a stool, then leaned heavily on the kitchen island. The marble was cool to the touch, exactly what my fair skin needed. “Honestly, Drew, you’re wearing me out.”

“How so?” He stiffened.

“You’ve been moping around, drunk and miserable for over a week. In the words of Elsa, let it go.” I leaned way over the counter so my bare chest could benefit from the stone against my skin.

“Who the hell is Elsa?” His hands fisted at his sides.

“Disney princess? Blonde hair, blue eyes, the ability to shoot ice out of her fingertips.” I shrugged.

Drew spluttered for a moment before he burst out laughing. “Oh, my God! I can’t believe I worried over what you think. You’re a complete and total loser.”

“I’m not a loser. I’m a big brother,” I grumbled.

“Whatever.” He wiped at his eyes. “Whew. That was a close one.”

“What? Afraid you might have to develop a conscience, or a work ethic?” I gasped dramatically. “The horror!”

“I…”

My brow rose as I watched him struggling with a comeback. I pried myself off the counter and watched him while trying to hide my smirk.

“I have a conscience,” he objected weakly.

I shook my head. “Two minutes ago you were celebrating your uncle’s death, since the influx of cash and assets enabled you to continue on your worthless path.”

“I’m not worthless,” he grumbled. “I have two estates. One has a private lake. Countless acres…”

“Stop.” I held up a hand. “Actually, I was referencing your lifestyle. You do nothing to leave the world better than you found it.”

“Only you would quote Robert Louis Stevenson at a time like this.” Drew rolled his eyes. “And I improve the world all the time. Why, the other day, while we were in Vegas, I left a hundred percent tip.”

“You were flirting with the waitress. I hardly think that counts.” I glanced at the time on the microwave. “I really need to shower and go. I’m leaving in half an hour. If you want to come, be showered, dressed, and packed. I refuse to disappoint Ty.”

“I could change.” Drew sank down on a stool.

“Good. And shower. You smell like a distillery.” I wrinkled my nose.

“No, I mean I could be a different man, a better man, if only I found the right woman.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I bet…”

I shook my head fervently. “Oh, no. We already have one bet going. I can’t manage two at a time.”

“Fine. If you need me, I’ll be in the master bath, showering.” Drew stood and stormed off toward my room.

“Drew.” I watched as he ignored me and continued on his way. “Drew, it’s my bathroom. Use the one in the guest suite so I can get ready!” He neither flinched nor acknowledged my request. I stalked into the ground floor master bath, then leaned on the vanity and struggled to control my temper. I peered at my reflection in the mirror and blew out a breath. I’d had too much sun. As a ginger, I should’ve been more careful. Then my eyes narrowed. Dealing with a ginger, Drew should’ve been careful not to poke this bear. In all these years, he still hadn’t learned. What did he have to worry about where our relationship was concerned? After all, the three of us always swore we’d have a lifelong friendship. At the moment, I still believed this pledge would hold, but only because Drew was either going to be the death of me, or I was going to kill him.