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“You included,” she whispers.
I smile at her sadly. “You know the story.”
“I’m sorry, babe. The childhood best friends who grow up to date is a trope for a reason.”
“I could’ve handled him finding love with someone else. It was the way he forgot I existed so completely that really broke my heart,” I whisper.
“And you’ve never talked about it?”
I shake my head. “No. I hadn’t seen him until his father’s funeral, and that wasn’t the time or place.”
“Do you want to sit down and clear the air?” Ellis whispers.
Opening the door again to risk being hurt makes me nauseous. “No. I—.” The tall, dark-haired man on the opposite side of the street makes my heart leap in my throat. “Want to show you the hardware store, now.” I spin her around and rush her the few feet back to Sherman’s. The blood rushes in my ears as we step inside, and the bell rings. Dazed, I breathe heavily as my heart constricts painfully in my chest. I’m not ready to see Newton Raglin.
“What the hell was that?”
“New was coming down the street.”
“This town is tiny, Daph. You can’t hide from him forever.”
“No, but I’ll do it for as long as possible.” Ellis frowns. “I can’t handle much else right now, El.” My voice wavers. Her face softens as she nods.
“Okay.”
“Welcome to Shermans. Can we help you find anything?” We look up to find a young brunette boy with freckles splattered over his baby face standing at the register.
“Um, No, we’re just looking.” I smile and pull Ellis over to the far end of the store. The doorbell jingles and I glance through the shelving to glimpse the man I’m running from stride in. “Shit,” I whisper as I kneel, winching when my knees slap the hard concrete. “Get down.” I tug Ellis’s arm.
“What the hell?”
“Shh.” I hold a finger up to my mouth.
“Hey Alan, do you have my order ready?” His rich baritone washes over me, taking me back to the days when it was the most comforting thing in the world. I’d lived to hear him praise me in that smooth voice that eased my anxiety and boosted my confidence. Two years older, he’d always been someone I looked up to. Thanks to our mother’s close friendship, we’d been two peas in a pod since the cradle. They’d been devastated when we’d fallen out with each other. The muscles in my stomach tense, and I grow light-headed as I try not to breathe too loudly.
“You didn’t tell me how fine he was, girl,” Ellis whispers. I lick my lips. I’d have to be blind not to notice how well he’d aged. At thirty-five, he looked like a Greek god with his tan skin, dark hair, and muscular frame. Tattoos peek beneath the plain white t-shirt, leaving nothing to the imagination.
“What the hell is he eating?”
“I don’t know, but he must be drinking milk ’cause it’s doing his body good.”
“You are not helping.” I roll my eyes.
“Sure I am.” She flashes me a wicked grin.
“Whatever you’re thinking, stop.” I point my finger at her.
“This is the most lively I’ve seen you in months.”
“Yeah, because I’m about to have a stroke.” I shake my head. “It’s not a good thing.”
“I’m not sure I agree.”
“Ellis. Do not—.”
“Thanks Alan. I’ll see you soon I’m sure.” I watch, frozen, as he turns to stride out the way he came. His square jaw and chiseled cheekbones remained sharp in my memories for all these years. But his electric blue eyes lack the joy they once held. Sorrow surrounds him like an invisible barrier. Part of me hated him for getting so wrapped up in the vapid cheerleader who turned him into a virtual stranger, but I never wanted him to know this type of pain or betrayal. His head turns in our direction, and I bend back like Neo in the Matrix, ignoring the protest of my back, reminding me I’m thirty-three, not eighteen.
Ellis snickers and the bell rings above the door announcing his exit. “You are so screwed.”
