The silence stretches, not uncomfortable, more suffocating with his curious gaze on me. Harrison stares at me like he’s trying to work out a puzzle.
“What?” I snap, when it becomes too much.
He sighs and scrubs a hand down his face. His head tilts, as his gaze bores into me. “It’s just weird, that you were out with Evan last night, and he never thought to mention it during our run this morning.”
Despite doing nothing wrong, and the evening being innocent, I swallow.
Why wouldn’t Evan say anything? It was harmless… unless it wasn’t?
Butterflies take flight in my stomach, but I quickly tamp them down. Now is not the time to read into anything.
“I don’t know. Maybe he wanted to forget my terrible singing.” I joke, aiming for indifference. “I mean, it was pretty bad. Honestly, I sing because I like to – not because I can.”
“Maybe,” he grumbles, still staring at me, still searching my face. For what, I’m not sure. He rises from the couch. “Anyway, I should get going.” He moves to the kitchen, tossing his empty cup in the trash. “What’re your plans for today?”
“Lana might come over. Other than that, some reading and self-care.”
His brows jump to his hairline, face screwing up in disgust. I frown in confusion, then I realize how it sounded. “I, I–” I stammer over my words, cheeks heating. “I mean like taking a bath, a face mask, a Mani Pedi. Relaxing stuff.”
Harrison shakes his head, huffing a laugh. “Sounds nice.” He smiles tightly. “You coming to lunch tomorrow?”
“Lunch?” I ask, confused.
He nods. “The Maxwells invited us to the Hamptons. A lunch for Thalia,” he clarifies, sensing my bewilderment.
“I didn’t know anything about that,” I murmur, frowning.
“Hmm,” he says. “Again, weird that Evan didn’t mention it, considering you were with him last night.” I don’t miss the sarcasm in his voice.
“Yeah,” I admit absently. Because why wouldn’t Evan mention it? Or… “Maybe he didn’t know.” I offer.
Harrison laughs, shaking his head. “He mentioned it to me this morning…” he trails off, leaving words unsaid.
Something is off. My brother is acting strange. Harrison is never usually this way with me – awkward, at a loss for words. My stomach turns. I wonder… Does he know? Has he picked up on my feelings for Evan? Can he see them written all over my face?
I laugh to myself.
Surely not. If he had, he would’ve said something before now.
Honestly, I’m not sure how he hasn’t figured it out, after all these years. I’ve never exactly hidden my feelings toward Evan. Not from him or anyone else. Sure, my brother probably wouldn’t be thrilled about me falling for his best friend, but he’d eventually get over it. Not that there’s anything going on with Evan and me, but if there were...
Irritation slithers through me, and I really want to know what my brother is trying to insinuate. I lower my feet to the floor, crossing my arms over my chest, my eyes narrowing on him.
“If you have something to say Harrison, then just say it.” I can’t help the bite in my tone.
He sighs, pulling the door open. “I’m not sure how I feel about you and Evan spending time together.”
I snort. “Harrison, we were at a bar for a couple of hours. I sang. He scowled. I sang again. We went home.” It’s the truth, despite me wishing it were more.
Annoyance flickers in his gray eyes. “Still, he didn’t tell me. And that, little sister, is unacceptable.”
I groan, rolling my eyes. “Jesus Christ, you’d think I’d slept with him, the way you’re going on. I–” he cuts me off before I can say more.
“Don’t say that,” he growls. “I never want to hear you, Evan, and slept in the same sentence again.” His chest heaves as he pins me with a serious look.
A laugh bursts from my mouth before I can stop it. I shake my head, shocked. Where the hell is this even coming from?
“I hate to tell you thisbrother,” I spit the word. “But I’m nearly twenty years old. I can make my own decisions and be with whoever I want.” I try to sound confident, but my voice falters slightly.
