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“Fair,” Jack said.
Mateo stopped laughing and leaned forward, deadly serious. “We did not intend for it to happen. It was a scheduling misunderstanding. But then Alyssa told me to stay for the movie they were watching. She was giving us signs, and then…”
“You can stop right there with the details,” Jack said. “I don’t need to hear them. You two didn’t even need to tell me.”
I gave a start. “Really?”
“Really?” Mateo echoed.
“I’m glad we have such a strong friendship that you two felt guilty about it. But it’s not my business.”
“But you and Alyssa…” I started to say.
“…were never a thing,” he finished for me. “I’ve spent the past week thinking about her a lot. Analyzing my feelings. I liked her back when we were kids. My feelings were complicated, but they were strong. Things are different now. We’ve both moved past it.”
Mateo cleared his throat awkwardly. “But the fight you two had today, at the store…”
“Alyssa Ford made things very clear during that fight. She doesn’t need me. She doesn’t want my help, or my protection, or whatever. It hurt, but I needed to hear it. Now I can move on.”
“You said something similar after I slept with her the first time,” I pointed out.
“I meant it at the time,” he admitted, turning the big fire engine wheel as we exited onto the highway. “But what I really needed was to get closure from Alyssa herself. I got that today. End of story.”
I looked over my shoulder at Mateo. He shrugged.
“Besides,” Jack added, “it’s just sex. Why should I care who you two sleep with?”
I licked my lips nervously. My mouth was dry. “What if it wasn’t just sex?”
Now Jack turned to look at me. “What?”
Out with it. Jack’s your friend, and he deserves the full truth.
“I like her, bud,” I said. “I like her a lot. More than I’ve ever liked anyone. It’s crazy to say that after like ten days, but I can’t help how I feel.”
Now Jack looked concerned. “Liam, buddy. She lives in New York. This is basically a vacation for her.”
“I know!” I said. “It doesn’t make sense to think about her as more than just some sexy fun. She’s leaving soon, and then it’ll be over. I’ll probably never see her again. But I can’t control how I feel. There’s something special about her. I can’t stop thinking about her, Jack.”
He glanced over at me. “What was the first thing I told you about her last week? After the fire at her house?”
“I don’t remember.”
“I told you she was bad news,” Jack continued. “You’re right: there’s something special about Alyssa. She crawls into all the gaps in your heart, and mind, and under your skin. It’s maddening, and intoxicating.”
I sighed. “I know.”
“What are you going to do?” he asked me.
“Hell if I know,” I said truthfully. “I figure that’s a problem for next-week Liam. This-week Liam is smitten.”
Jack nodded. “I appreciate your honesty. I hope you can figure it out without getting hurt too bad.”
“Me too,” I admitted.
Mateo coughed softly. “I am also confused about the way I feel for Alyssa Ford.”
“Seriously?” Jack asked. “Oh, for fuck’s sake…”
