“Because we’re friends?” I say, following him.
“Yep!”
“So, she thinks it’s a bad idea?”
“I guess, but it’s not really up to her, right?” he says, stopping again as he locks his eyes with mine. “We’re grown-ups.”
“Yeah, but do you agree with her? Is that why you’ve been—”
“Kaden,” he says, shaking his head. “Lou and I had a fight or argument or something—and I hate when we fight. That’s why I’ve been off lately, okay? It’s got nothing to do with you, or us, or whatever.”
“Okay,” I say, biting my lip. “But if you wanna stop, you tell me, right?”
“Of course.” He shrugs.
“I mean it, Seth. Don’t keep this up for my sake, or whatever.”
“Like I’m not getting something out of it?” He snorts.
“Sure. But,” I answer, shifting on my feet. “Do you think we should stop?”
He meets my eyes for a beat before he sighs. “No. Look, I’ll get my shit together soon. I’ll talk to Lou and then it’ll be fine. Now, do you wanna stand here and talk some more, or do you wanna get off?”
41
Seth
“I’msosorry!”Lousays. We’re on FaceTime. It’s been almost a week since we talked. We’ve never gone so long without speaking.
“Lou, it’s—”
“No, listen, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it—well, yeah, I did but it wasn’t supposed to come out like that. It’s just that…” She sighs. “Seth, you’re the best person I know, and I hate that you don’t even see how great you are, and that you think you have to make yourself smaller, or change because of what some idiots—”
“Lou.”
“Okay, but honestly? You’re the best. If you were straight, I would’ve married you for real, a long time ago.”
“Are you saying you’re in love with me?” I frown.
“No, you creep! Ew! You’re like my brother.”
“But you just said you wanted to marry me, and that, sister, is incest. Which I’m sure is still illegal and—”
“Girl,” she laughs. “I would lock that ass down in a heartbeat if it wasn’t.”
“I’m confused, am I your brother or your lover?”
“You’re my best friend.”
“Who’s also an idiot?” I smile at her.
“Sometimes, but seriously? Don’t listen to me, I have no idea what I’m talking about. This is between you and Kaden, and I mean, who knows? Maybe—”
“No,” I shake my head. “Don’t give me hopes.”
“Well, we don’t—”
“Yes, we do. He’s not into me, not like that. I mean, it’s not like he hasn’t had years to fall for me before, and he hasn’t so…”
