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He tips his head down. “Thank you.”
His fingers go back to tapping against the beat, and the rest of the car ride is limited to the sound of the radio. It’s quiet yet comfortable, like we’ve thrown out and taken too much for one night.
* * *
Nancy ishappy to see me when we walk in.
Kyle, not so much.
I’m shocked he’s allowed me to step foot into his parents’ home. The shit-eating grin on his face confirms his invite is for research purposes only. He wants to study Gage and me together.
Nancy’s warm arms wrap around me in a tight hug. The last time I saw her was when she brought in Kyle’s younger sister with a broken leg from a cheerleading stunt gone wrong.
Her attention goes to Gage, his hug tighter, sadder, filled with more relief. She moved into the second-mom role after his mother’s death, and I’m sure it hurt her just as much as it did Amos when he left town.
Did they still talk after he left?
“Lauren, honey, it’s been so long,” Nancy finally says after her hugging spree. She pokes Gage in the chest. “I’m not happy with you, young man. You haven’t visited me once since you’ve been home.”
Gage wraps his arm around her shoulders. “Sorry. It’s been a busy month, but I promise I’ll make it up to you. You can make me roasts anytime you like.”
I’m the only one who notices the forced excitement in his voice. It’s not that he’s unhappy being here, but our truck conversation had stirred something hard inside him that won’t be let out anytime tonight. I feel guilty that it will interfere with Nancy’s time.
’Tis why I need to keep my mouth shut.
“Your father must be thrilled to have you back,” she goes on, looping her arm through his. “Dinner is ready.”
Kyle comes to my side before I move out of the foyer, arrogance splashed on his face, and I know this conversation is going to be a fun one.
“Satan,” he clips.
“Asshole,” I mutter.
“I see we’re still fond of each other.” He moves in closer, his voice falling to a whisper. “Don’t fuck him over, you hear me? This is a new Gage, a darker man, and I won’t let you hurt him again. I’ll be runningyouout of town next time.”
A long sigh leaves me. “Gage and I are only friends. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
He scratches his cheek. “Wrong. Gage will never see you as just a friend. He cares about you more than his own life. He’ll never choose anyone over you, and he will sure as fuck never move on from you for some goddamn weird reason. You were his life then, and you’re still his life, no matter how much he denies or fights it.” He shakes his head. “I only hope to God the feeling is mutual.”
My stomach twists like a coil. “We’ve grown up. You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Figure out what you want with him. If you plan to only befriends, you’re doing nothing but hurting the dude. If there’s a chance you can make shit right again, then I’ll be Team Reconcile. He needs love, not heartbreak.” He glances over to Gage in the kitchen, talking to his mom. “I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s something deep.”
We’re huddled in the corner, and I’m surprised no one has called us out for looking sketchy. It helps that everyone’s eyes are on Gage. Kyle’s two younger sisters and brother are staring at him as if he owned the world, and Nancy keeps insisting he taste-test different desserts. Kyle’s dad is nowhere to be found, which doesn’t surprise me, given he’s the mayor of Blue Beech.
“You don’t know why he moved back to town?” I ask, watching over my shoulder, just in case Gage wants to come through and eavesdrop.
“No idea. Been trying to drag it out of him for weeks.”
“Was it the wife?”
“Wife?” He scrunches his brows. “He was married?”
“You didn’t know that?”
“Nope. Never mentioned a wife to me.” He shakes his head in pain. “I promised myself I’d give him time to tell me what was going on before I went looking around for it. He can’t lose trust in someone else.”
“Good luck. Whatever it is, it’s not leaving his mouth.”
