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“Still stings, huh?”
Alex didn’t respond. He only crushed his empty can in his hand.
His father sighed. “I get it, son. I’ve been there, but you can’t let that rule your life. I’ve wasted too many years keeping myself locked away. I have an opportunity for something real. I only hope you won’t miss yours.”
Heaviness took over Alex’s body. It wouldn’t work. Zoe was right. He would only hurt her. She deserved someone who genuinely cared about her. All he wanted was a date—or two. It wouldn’t be enough for her.
Alex raised an eyebrow. Would a date be enough for him? “I’ll call you when we make our first major stop.”
“I’ll pick up unless I’m on a date.” His father chuckled.
“Dad, be careful. Please. I don’t want to see—”
“I know, but I can take care of myself. You take care. Have fun. Be great.”
His father hung up. Alex stuffed his phone back in his pocket, just as a familiar Chevrolet Sonic pulled into the parking lot. Zoe. What was she doing here?
He tossed his soda can into a nearby garbage can. He then walked over, noticing Jackson and Bailey retrieving their bags. Alex nodded at Zoe. She gave a slight smile.
“You guys need help?” he asked his band mates.
Bailey shook her head, adjusting her purse on her shoulder. “I think I got it.”
Jackson eyeballed him, moving his gaze between Alex and Zoe. “Thanks. I got the rest.” He followed his fiancé to the bus. Zoe closed her trunk.
Alex sighed. “Seeing them off?”
She nodded. “Excited for the tour?”
Small talk. That’s what they’d been reduced to. Alex hated it. It made his stomach burn. “Yeah, I am. How’s school?”
“Going well. I have a full week of homework already. Some assignments are due next week.” Zoe focused her eyes on the bus behind him. “Will there be enough room for everyone?”
“We’ve made it work before,” he said. Silence passed between them and he watched Zoe wring her hands together.
She bit at her bottom lip. “About... the last time we talked.”
He’d rather forget it. “Don’t worry about it. You were right.”
She dropped her head for a moment, but then her eyes met his. “I’m sorry. It’s just—”
“No need to apologize.”
“Let me finish, please.”
He nodded, folding his arms over his chest.
“You seem like an amazing guy. I just think we want different things.”
Alex watched her eyes gloss over. Her lips parted and all he wanted to do was kiss her. This wasn’t supposed to happen. In the past, he would cut his losses and move on. Not with Zoe.
The more she talked, the mild pain in his chest increased. His fingers ached to touch her. He’d been so close the night at his cousin’s home, inhaling Zoe’s sweet floral perfume. Her curls had been soft, tickling his nose as he pressed his forehead against the back of her head.
His eyes focused on her. Zoe licked her lips, frequently touching her hair and brushing her curls behind her shoulders.
“I don’t think so,” Alex said.
“Don’t think what?”
