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“Nothing. Hey, will you help me with that table on the back porch?”
Mitch’s eyes traveled from me to Michelle. She went back to washing the dishes while I grabbed him by the arm and led him outside.
“Is everything okay?” he asked me.
With a nonchalant shrug, I responded, “Yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?”
He looked back toward the door. “Michelle said my name, and you clearly wanted me away from her.”
I let out a titter. “Don’t be silly. But we were talking about you and Beth.”
His brow lifted. “Me and Beth?”
“Yeah, you two dating.”
Mitch held up both hands and said, “Whoa. Wait a second. We’re not dating. Beth has a boyfriend at Texas A and M. We ran into each other at school. We both needed a friend, and that’s all we are.”
I wanted to jump for joy, but I kept my composure. “Friends? Well, it seemed like you two were together.”
A look of anger moved over his face. “What in the hell? All we did was carpool back to Marble Falls. I never once held her hand, hugged her, or referred to her as my girlfriend. Nothing! How can you say that?”
Taken aback by his reaction, I replied, “I didn’t mean anything by it, Mitch. Why are you so upset?”
He pushed both hands through his hair. “I can’t do this anymore.” The defeat in his voice was evident.
“What do you mean?” I asked as I walked up and touched him on the arm.
“I haven’t fucking slept in weeks. I can’t stop thinking about Michelle with that jerk. The idea of them together haunts my every thought. Even when I do manage to fall asleep, I dream about them together. I wake up in a cold sweat, and all I can do is run to try to get the thoughts out of my head.”
I hated that two of the most important people in my life were both suffering. I had promised Wyatt I would stay out of it, but I couldn’t. I was getting involved.
“She hasn’t slept with him. I also know for a fact that she isn’t happy with him and that she has been thinking about you.”
Hope caused a small flicker of light to appear in Mitch’s eyes. “How do you know that?”
With a grin, I answered him, “She told me. She also said she was jealous, seeing you with Beth, and that she still loved you.”
The corners of his mouth rose slightly. “Michelle told you that?”
“Yep.”
“She told you she still loved me?”
“And that she needed to talk to you. So, what are you going to do with this little bit of information?”
Mitch thought for a moment. “I’m not going to pressure her. But there is something I can do now that might melt the tension between us.”
I wanted to let out a cheer. I was so happy. “Then, what are you waiting for, little brother?”
Pulling me into his arms, Mitch hugged me tightly. “I love you, Sky.”
My eyes filled with tears. “I love you, too, Mitch. Please don’t give up.”
He dropped his hold on me and winked. “I about did.”
My heart ached for my brother and my best friend. I knew he had made a terrible mistake, and I wasn’t sure how I would have reacted had I been in Michelle’s shoes. But I did know one thing. Love could conquer anything.
“I’m glad you didn’t. Now, go do what you’ve got to do.”
Mitch headed into the house.
Spinning around, I called out, “Hey, did you know Beth kissed Karen Munster?”
Laughing, he gave me an inquisitive look. “Doesn’t everyone know that?” Then, he turned and headed into the house.
Frowning, I whispered, “Apparently, not me.”
CHAPTER FIFTY
* * *
Michelle
WITH MY NOSE buried in the romance book I had been reading, I slowly made my way up the steps of my front porch. My heart melted as I read a touching scene between the two main characters. Both of them had been so stupid and naive. Yet here they were, fighting for their love. It only made me realize how much I needed to break things off with Zeb and talk to Mitch.
Coming to a stop, I turned and sat down on the steps. I opened up my text messages and found Zeb’s name. Taking a deep breath, I typed out what had been on my heart for the last few weeks.
Me: Zeb, I think we need to talk when I get back to Waco. I’m so sorry, and I certainly don’t want to do this over text, but I think it’s time we have the talk I know we’ve both been avoiding.
He responded almost immediately.
Zeb: I agree. It’s time we move on. Enjoy your spring break, sweetie, and we’ll talk when you get back.
I smiled.
Why does Wyatt not like Zeb?
Zeb had been so sweet and patient with me, almost as if he somehow felt I was working through something but he wasn’t going to just give up. We never moved past anything other than an occasional orgasm caused by each other’s hands.
