I hang up.Fuck.Will she know I called?
Trying again right now would make me look like a douche, so I shoot her a text instead, saying I tried to call her back and that I miss her too.
Before I can overthink it, I press Send.That should do it.
Chloe doesn’t usually work Sundays, so she probablyischasing waves on her surfboard.What was it called again?Benedict?Reginald?
Boom.Gut-kick.
There’s also a text on my phone from Leo—a meme about a cat and a foreman.As funny as it is, it sends me right back to Kat.I rub the knot in my chest.I hope she’s doing all right at the shelter and getting a ton of belly scratches.
I tap out a reply to Leo, letting him know I’m back in town.It was already on my list of things to do today.My chat with Chloe about my stupid, awkward shit around Leo replays in my head, and I add a note saying it’d be great to get together soon.
He replies right away, saying he’s thrilled I’m back, and that he and his wife are hosting a BBQ today for a few friends.They’d love for me to pop over.
I catch my bottom lip between my teeth.I haven’t seen Leo face-to-face for a couple of months because of my dumb guilt, but I miss the absolute heck out of him, and for some reason, he seems to feel the same about me.
Before replying, though, I shoot Gray a text, just in case he wants to meet up.Mom and Dad told me last night they’re almost ready for the movers, and the whole thing is making me feel as empty as the space around me.I kind of want to share some of that with my brother.
Gray replies after a few minutes, apologizing: he’s at the races, which has been locked in for weeks.He sends a photo, all suited up like a male model with his arm wrapped around some stunning blonde I don’t know and probably never will.Gray’s a textbook serial dater who doesn’t do relationships.I’ve never been against having a gorgeous woman in my bed, no strings attached, but looking at Gray’s life now, I don't think I’d trade places with him.
That said, he looks as happy as I’ve ever seen him, and that makes a big brother feel damn proud.
I thumb back to Leo’s last message.
ME
Thanks, man, I’d love to swing by.
He replies soon after.
LEO
Sweet!
The weight sitting on my chest lifts, and I get up and grab my keys.
Not wanting to show up empty-handed, I swing by the gourmet supermarket and grab some extra-spicy Italian sausages and a big cilantro chimichurri salad.
Parties where I don’t know many people are my idea of hell, so I arrive at Leo’s with a twinge of dread.I’d give anything to have Chloe by my side right now, her fingers laced through mine, reminding me that it’s okay to relax and let myself have a good time.
The front door is open, and a pop song drifts through the empty house from the backyard.
Through the glass doors, I spot Leo beside the accessible BBQ, a pair of tongs in hand, his head thrown back with laughter.
The guttural sound draws a smile to my face, and I step outside.Thank God, there’s only a handful of people here.One of them I recognize as Leo’s sister, and his son, Isaac, is in the yard with a friend, soaked from the water balloons they’re hurling at each other.
“Here he is, the lazy lump who just spent a month by the beach,” Leo calls out, his smirk aimed at me.“The proof’s in the hair.”
I tuck a wayward curl behind my ear and step over to him, leaning in for a one-armed hug.
“How are you, brother?”I ask.Fuck, I can’t stop beaming at him.Until now, I hadn’t realized just how much I’ve missed this guy.
“I’m good, I’m good.Thanks for coming.How was the drive back?”
“Long.”
Leo’s wife comes up behind me with a beer and a sweet-smelling hug.I exchange the drink for the food I brought, and Leo introduces me to everyone, keeping one eye on the BBQ.
