“I wouldn’t even know how to start explaining.”
I sit back in my chair, ignoring the sudden gust of cold wind that blows past us. “I’ve got time.”
He’s quiet for so long, I think he won’t say anything at all. But I wait.
Finally, he says, “It has to do with Melody.”
“Your friend, Melody?” We don’t run in the same circles, but I’ve met her at family functions in the past, along with his other friend, Karsten. At first, I thought Joe and Melody were a couple, but when I stupidly said something one time, Janie was quick to correct me that the two are just friends. “What’s going on?”
“Fucking feelings.” He takes a sip of his coffee, winces, and dumps a packet of sugar into it.
“Hers? Yours? Both?”
He lets out a scornful laugh. “Every-fucking-one’s feelings.”
I pause, my mind working. “Wait. Everyone? Is there someone else involved?”
“Karsten.”
“Ohhhh.” All three of them. “Sounds, uh, complicated.” I’m speaking from experience.
I don’t know what else to say. Apparently, neither does he. The silence isn’t awkward, but it stretches for a few minutes.
Joe finally breaks the silence. “We love her so fucking much, you know?”
“I can guess, yeah.” Especially when I remember seeing the three of them together at Crawford family events. They had an ease about them.
“But we value her as a friend the same amount.” He frowns, looking torn. “Anyway, we’ll figure it out. Or we won’t. It’s fine.”
It’s obviously not fine, but all I say is, “If you want to talk about it, now or later, I’m here, okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks.” His gaze goes out to the street beyond, and the passersby, before he returns his focus to me. “Thanks again for listening. But you probably didn’t invite me out to talk about my relationship struggles.”
“Not exactly, but again, I’m happy to listen, okay?”
“Okay.” He gives me a rueful smile. “So what’s up—what did you want to talk about?”
“I just wanted to let you know, I think your sister and I are getting back together.” I brace myself for a negative reaction.
He looks up sharply. “Does she know about this? Or is this more of you showing up to everything and reminding her that you broke her heart?”
“Look, I know I screwed up. I’m trying to make it up to her. And like you, Karsten, and Melody, there might be a third guy involved.”
“Her boss,” Joe guesses.
“Yeah. Is that cool with you? The three of us?”
“Yeah, because I’m not a controlling dick. Janie can make her own decisions. Who my sister is with…and how many, I guess…not my business. All I want to know is you’ll treat her well and love her like she deserves. I just want her to be happy.”
I nod and clink my mug against his. “That’s my goal in life. Janie’s happiness.”
CHRISTOPHER
Maybe we pushed too hard and spooked Janie. She said she’s coming tonight, but she’s late.
If she were officially our girl, we could spank her for this infraction. My palm itches with the need to dole out some stinging consequences to our little doll.
Tag peers out the window next to me. “Our girl is late.”
