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“That was such a low blow,” Miles says.
“Yeah, we were frickin’ worried about you!” Joel grumps.
I reach forward and flick Joel on the side of the head and then Miles. “Serves. You. Right.”
“Fine,” Miles says, holding up his hands. “We’ll apologize.”
“Yeah,” Joel says softly.
“To him or to me?” Both of their faces fall. “Whether you like him or us together, what you did last night hurt me. And even if he doesn’t, I sure as hell hope I matter to you.”
Joel steps over and puts his hands on my arms. “I’m sorry, Rae Rae. I never want to hurt you. And I’ll apologize to him too.” He gives me big puppy dog eyes.
I roll my eyes and pull him into my arms. “Thank you.”
When I pull away from Joel, I turn and look at Miles expectantly.
“I’m sorry.” His deep voice is soft. “I’m sorry I was an asshole last night and didn’t listen this morning. You’re kinda awesome, Rae McKinley, and I don’t ever want to see you settle.ButI admit, he seems to treat you well, so I will apologize to him.”
I give him a little nod. “Good. I love you guys, but I need this crap to stop.”
“It will,” Aaron says assuredly.
“Excellent. Well, I’m off to drink hot cocoa with the girls. Have fun.”
I shoot them a wink, then turn and sway out Joel’s back door, feeling strong.
“Hey, babe.” Davey intertwines his fingers through mine and kisses my cheek as we walk across the lobby toward the lunchroom. “Any chance you wanna come sit with me today?”
I stop and turn to face him. “Actually, I’m hoping you’ll sit with me.”
His eyes widen. “Rae…”
“Look, I know, okay? But the boys want to talk to you.”
He nods. “Great, another verbal beatdown.”
I take his hands in mine. “No. They want to apologize.”
He sighs. “I don’t really want to talk to them.”
“I know they were assholes, but they want to fix it. I know they started it, but please… don’t be the one to make me choose between you and them.”
At that, he sighs. He leans down and softly kisses me. “I don’t want to force you to choose. All right.”
I smile up at him. “Thank you.”
We walk hand-in-hand to the lunchroom, stopping when we reach the table. Aaron stands up immediately and walks over to us.
“Hey.” He extends his hand to Davey, who cautiously shakes it. “I’m sorry about the other night. We give each other shit, but we took that too far. You’ve shown up for her and that’s all that matters to me. I can admit when I’ve been a dick. I’m sorry for that, and we’d like for you to sit with us and be comfortable hanging out with us.”
Davey nods, though his jaw is still set. “Thank you,” he says tightly.
Aaron sighs. “Listen, she’s my best friend. I don’t want to fuck up your relationship and sure as hell not my friendship with her. I’ll sit here and let you give me shit all lunch. All week. I want to make this right.”
Davey cracks a smile. “Now that I might take you up on.”
We turn back to the table and Miles and Joel also stand up and apologize, though shorter and more succinctly. The apology from Aaron meant the most to me. Davey and I sit down across from Aaron and Marisol. As everyone focuses on their lunches, Aaron meets my eyes across the table.
Thank you,I mouth.
He winks at me and turns back to Marisol.
Good, maybe we can all finally move on.
