Page 38 of Where Roads Lead

“Oh,” I said, hoping the conversation would die off after that.

“She’s cute.”

Clearly, my luck had never been that great.

“Is she?” I asked, busying myself with staring into my beer.

“You saw her,” he said.

“I didn’t notice.”

He laughed. “You’re full of shit, man.”

“Whatever,” I said, a bit rougher than I’d meant to.

“And she’s funny, too,” he added. “A little quirky, but I think I like it.”

Funny? What could she have possibly said to him in the two-minute encounter I’m assuming they had that led him to that conclusion?

“Yeah, she’s something, all right.” I grimaced, praying to any deity there was that we could go back to watching the game in silence.

“So, should I go for it?”

I felt my jaw clench.

“Go for what?” I said, grip tightening around the beer.

“Should I ask her out?”

I turned, trying to analyze his expression.

Did he really like her? Did I care that he liked her?

No, no way. Why the hell would I care who was dating who?

But still, she was all wrong for him. That much was obvious from the handful of run-ins I’d had with her.

I couldn’t name a specific reason. It was just how I felt about it.

“I don’t know,” I said, feeling on edge about it all. “She’s not going to be here for long. I wouldn’t bother.”

“I don’t really see how that’s an issue.” He shrugged. “I’m not looking for a soulmate or anything.”

“Then why bother?”

He shot me a look as if to say, ‘Seriously?’ which sort of pissed me off. Because, yeah, seriously, I wanted to know why he was going after her without knowing anything about her. So, I arched a brow in response, waiting for his explanation.

He rolled his eyes.

“Just because you’re fine without any semblance of human contact,” he laughed, “doesn’t mean we all are.”

I guess he was right. I didn’t really crave anyone’s company. I liked being alone. It didn’t make me feel lonely; it made me feel peace.

“Besides,” he continued, “it would be nice to go out with someone who doesn’t have memories of me peeing my pants in the third grade.”

I snorted. “Yeah, you’re never living that one down.”

“Hey, Mrs. Davies wouldn’t let me go to the bathroom!”