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“I don’t want to fight.”
His harsh, hurt expression didn’t waver.
“I don’t either, but I won’t keep lying to Gabby.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I want to make you happy, but I also can’t keep lying to my best friend.”
Her heart started to pound. So heavily, she swore the salesperson behind the counter over twenty feet away could hear it.
“You said you’d wait until the party to tell her about us.”
“And I will. But anything else, I will not lie to her about it. Not even for you.”
She should’ve never asked him to in the first place.
“Here.” Jaxson grabbed a set of plates that looked like baseballs and set them in her hands. “I like these.”
Just like that, he was changing the subject. Maybe it was for the best. She didn’t want to fight with him, nor did she want to keep lying to Gabby. It was simply an impulse that she couldn’t control.
A weak smile appeared as she drew her eyes away from him and to the plates in her hands.
“These are perfect. I think a whole baseball theme is great. Let’s see what else they have.”
Without another word—at least about their relationship—they traveled down all the aisles until they had a cart full of supplies. Plates, napkins, and bowls, all decorated to look like baseballs. They found small popcorn boxes that they decided to fill with buttered popcorn and caramel popcorn. Jaxson found a great banner to hang where it had baseballs and diamond shapes, coordinating every other. They’d have it personalized to say ‘happy birthday Gabby and Dane’ until each one was filled. Mia decided a mixture of red and blue with a few white balloons would be perfect.
Although they weren’t buying the food yet, they decided having ballpark kind of food would be cool. So they made sure to buy the appropriate bowls, plates, and utensils to help with that. They’d be having hamburgers, a hot dog stand, nachos, peanuts, and of course, the popcorn.
This would be the best birthday party ever.
Hopefully.
Mia was starting to doubt telling Gabby on the day of the party about them was a good idea.
When they were finished shopping, they decided instead of keeping everything in one of their apartments, it was best to drop it off at The Corner Bar. Brick had them put everything in his storage room and confirmed the food they wanted would be ready.
They ordered two drinks and took a seat at the bar. She started to fiddle with the bottom of her glass when Jaxson walked away to use the bathroom. So many things were racing through her mind. Lying to Gabby. Hurting Jaxson. The feeling that no matter what she did, she always screwed everything up.
“Long thoughts there. You okay?”
Mia looked up to Brick’s kind, concerned face.
“I’m good. It’s been a long, busy day.”
She could tell right away he didn’t believe her by the doubt in his eyes and the wry grin on his face. Who was she kidding? Not many people could get anything by Brick. He was a very intuitive guy.
“Jaxson’s a good guy. You’re amazing yourself. I don’t see the problem.”
She shrugged because she didn’t know what her problem was. Too much fear sheltered inside for so long, it was seeping out into a relationship she didn’t want to be ruined.
“I’m messed up, Brick. What else can I say?”
He chuckled. “We’re all a bit messed up, Mia. We all have demons we’re fighting.” He leaned closer, resting his forearms on the bar. “The thing is, Jaxson loves you and wants to help you fight those demons. You’re not letting him.”
“Yeah, and look what happened with Gabby when I let her help me.”
“Oh, what happened?” Brick sounded amused like they weren’t having a serious conversation.
