I kept my gaze away from his. Why did he bother asking? We’d done this dance way too often since we’d met. He knew the answer, even if he didn’t have the details.
I glanced in his direction and Trevor had the frown of concern he wore after nearly every one of my failed dates. He took those rejections almost as personal as me.
“Same thing as always. I’m not his type; he can do better; it’s not me it’s him. Take your pick.”
“Henry said that?”
Trevor sounded shocked, like it wasn’t the broken record of my life playing out in real time. To avoid his question, I stared at the poster of Paris I’d gotten in college. I always wanted to visit and maybe find a job there. It was a dream I’d probably never realize, but I needed something to hold onto that I could control.
“Not those words, but he made up some stupid lie so he could end things without saying he wasn’t interested in me.”
“Hold on,” Trevor moved so I couldn’t avoid him without it being totally rude. “What exactly did he say?”
I knew Trev asked from a place of love, but it still picked at a wound. Why did he need me to say it out loud? “Any chance you can hold off with the interrogation until I get back from brunch with Alex?”
Trevor hesitated and his brows drew together. I knew he wanted to press for more, but he’d always been good about giving me space when I needed some. Finally, he nodded and sat on the end of my bed. “Fine. But we’re talking about this when you get back.”
It wouldn’t hurt any less telling him, but I was grateful for his constant support. Maybe with a little time and talking to Alex I’d make more sense of what had happened. “Thanks.”
Under his continued scrutiny, I tossed my dirty clothes in my laundry basket, put my toiletry kit on the dresser, and checked my hair in the mirror. Not that it mattered. Alex and I weren’t going on a date. He didn’t care what I looked like. Still, we’d be in public and I cared.
Over my left shoulder, I could see Trevor watched me. He stared as if by focusing hard enough he could read my thoughts and see what had happened.
“It didn’t work out, Trev. Don’t look so concerned. He’s not the first guy to dump me, I won’t crumble and fall to pieces.”
“I don’t get it.” Trevor said. I ignored the comment because I sure as fuck didn’t understand it either. “Are you sure this isn’t a mistake? He was really looking forward to the trip.”
This was why “don’t shit where you eat,” was great advice. Trevor was torn and didn’t know which side to take. At least I didn’t imagine Henry’s interest. “He seemed interested at first, but after we got back from our run and he saw me naked, he decided we weren’t going to work.”
“No way.” He jumped to his feet like I’d insulted him. “You’re totally his type.”
Great. Now even being totally someone’s type isn’t enough to get a second date. “Evidently I’m not. After he got what hesaidwas a call from work, he switched off. Probably an old boyfriend, or current one for all I know. Either way, he made up this lamest story about not being honest with me about who he was or what his family did, and he couldn’t tell me right now, but I should trust him. And because I just love coming off as desperate, I said fine, I’d wait for him to tell me the truth.”
Trevor’s eyes blazed with disbelief. “He said that?”
I felt a bit better knowing even Trevor couldn’t believe how ridiculous it sounded. At the time I thought Henry’s shock after telling me he was hiding something was relief I’d agreed to wait for him to tell me the truth. In hindsight, it was disbelief his lame ass excuse hadn’t worked. God, I was so fucking dumb. “I know, right?
“I don’t know what to say.”
Trevor looked stuck between his best friend and family. “Can we please just let this go? It’s no big deal.”
“What? Of course it’s a big deal. He?—”
“He’s your cousin,” I said loud enough that he had to hear me.
Trevor’s hands landed on my shoulders, and he spun me around. His fierce gaze pinned me down. “He’s not going to come between us, Nicko. I haven’t seen Henry in years before this week. You and I are family and that won’t ever change.”
My throat tightened until it was too difficult to speak. Trevor’s arms swept around me before I could speak and embraced me in a hug that seemed to last an eternity. Despite my effort to hold back, tears rolled down my cheeks as I finally allowed myself to break down.
Trevor held me as I cried, his strong arms comforting me. I couldn’t believe how stupid I’d been getting my hopes up againafter just a couple of days. After a few seconds, I pulled away from Trevor and wiped my face.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice hoarse.
Trevor gave me a small smile. “You don’t have to thank me. That’s what family’s for.”
I held up my hand and he clasped it before we did the bro shoulder bump. Sucking in a deep breath, I exhaled loudly and let go. “I need to go wash my face. Alex will go ballistic if he finds out I was crying over someone.”
I turned before Trevor could respond and went to the bathroom and shut the door. The problem was Henrywasa nice guy. I couldn’t console myself by saying I was better off without him, or it was his loss. I mean, Henry didn’t wait until after we’d slept together to tell me it wouldn’t work. He’d been respectful and if I wasn’t so hurt, I’d say even kind.
