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Chris’s hackles rose in defense. “So, I missed the signs. It happens.”
“Not if you’re actually taking an interest in another person, but let’s move on.”
“No, wait, did you just call me selfish?” Chris asked.
“Oblivious, actually, but let’s forget that for a moment. Anything else you want to share? Something that’s got you down?”
He hesitated, but figured if Ray already knew that Chris was failing as a boyfriend, he probably had caught the rest of their little dramas.
“Kelly said she’s going to start dating.”
Ray nodded. “I know. I’ve been waiting for her to move on for years.”
“Does it hurt?”
He seemed confused. “I don’t really feel pain here. I mean, consciously, I know that
means she’s going to fall in love again, but all I feel is…content. What about you? You can’t rely on Kelly to be your stand-in any longer.”
“She’s not my stand-in! We’re just friends and sometimes, I prefer her company to anyone else’s.”
“You ever thought about the deeper reason why that is?”
A clown stood alongside them, blowing up long, sausage-style balloons and tying them together. Chris shrank away. If this was a dream that included clowns, he waited for it to turn into a nightmare. For the white-faced creature to attack him.
The high-pitched shriek of the latex rubbing against each other was like nails on a chalkboard. The clown handed Chris a colorful array in the shape of a heart and blew a kiss before skipping off.
Chris showed the heart to Ray, who held up his hands. “I don’t know what the hell it means. We’re in your brain, not mine. Now, how about you stop avoiding my question and give me a straight answer?”
“A deeper reason for why I prefer Kelly’s company? Because I am comfortable with her?” Ray rolled his eyes and Chris stiffened. “Look, I’ve already decided to give Kelly some distance and I’m going to ask someone out. I’ve got it handled and you don’t have to worry about us.”
Ray frowned. “I’ll always worry about you guys. You’re my people. I just want you to know that I’m watching, and you need to figure out what you want before it’s too late. Remember, tomorrow isn’t promised.” Ray stood up with the lapels of his jacket clutched in his hands, showing off the bullet wounds as he spun around with flourish. “I’m proof of that.”
Chris woke up with a start, staring up at his white ceiling as his chest heaved.
What in the hell was that? He’d had dreams of Ray before, but never like that. It was vivid and weird.
Remember, tomorrow isn’t promised.
Chris covered his eyes with his arm, trying to calm his racing heart.
There was no way he was getting back to sleep now.
Chapter 9
It was Friday night and Kelly sat next to Hank at the bar in Bow Ties Italian Restaurant. She’d suggested the dim, calm atmosphere rather than the bustle of Shotguns. The area had several booths lined up against the walls of the restaurant, with a few round tables in the middle. In another dining area closest to the kitchen, rectangle tables and booths filled the well-lit area designated for families. In the dark barroom, couples sat on the same side of the table, snuggled up and gazing at each other over wine and garlic bread.
Kelly had opted to sit at the bar because Hank was less likely to try to get cozy on the uncomfortable bar stools.
Another reason she’d chosen Bow Ties was because she was less likely to bump into Chris here, a plus since she was so agitated with him. The bar area was thinning out now that it was getting closer to nine o’clock, as people headed to more lively activities.
Kelly glanced at her phone again, but there was still no answer from Chris. Besides a few “Sorry, just really busy” texts, it had been radio silence. He always had his phone on him, so he had to be avoiding her. The bastard. She was going to kick his ass until he told her what the hell his problem was.
Maybe he sensed my lustful thoughts and is scared I’ll jump him.
Which was ridiculous. She wouldn’t jump Chris and ruin what they had. She had self-control. She was a freaking adult, unlike some people!
“Everything all right?” Hank asked.
