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Fight with Cole. I don’t want to do this… but I have to. We agreed to this days ago, and it’s only fair.
I wanted him to answer my question yesterday clearly. Emphatically. With heart:‘You, Olivia. I only want you.’
But people aren’t puppets on a stage, speaking the words I want them to speak.
I know that.
He’s his own person, with his own wants and needs.
And if he’s not on the same page as me when it comes to what’s happening between us, that has to be okay with me.
In my perfect world, we’d have stood there on that sun-drenched pavement, lingering by his truck, kissing like love-crazy idiots. Oblivious to everything around us, just like we were that night eating Oreos by the fire.
Firetrucks might have cruised out onto the apron, sirens wailing, ambulances in hot pursuit. The helicopter out on the pad might have gone up for another trip, but we’d barely notice because were two fools in love.
‘You, Olivia. I only want you.’
That’s what heshouldhave said.
It was delusional, though, to think he’d say that.
It was a big question, and he gave me the common-sense answer. A blank stare. Because when you ask a question that loaded, that’s the response you should get.
If Julienne Reed had been standing there, she’d probably have stepped forward and written a big red “F” on my forehead in red ink.
In that particular relationship trial, I failed.
But I refuse to wallow in my failure.
The day stretches ahead of me. So, after giving Blue one last loving peck on the head goodbye, I step out into the brisk morning air.
In the pavilion, I spot Maggie and Trent sitting across from one another, plates of food in front of them. They’re lovey-dovey, conversing intimately. Good.
I haven’t really talked to Trent since he blew up at me about Beryl.
I scan the dining area for Cole, but don’t see him. So, I fill a mug with coffee and then head Trent and Maggie’s way.
As I lower down to the bench seat by Trent, Maggie pops up. “I’m gonna go do some sun salutations on the back deck and let you two have a talk. Sound good?”
Trent nods.
I thank Maggie, then study my brother. “You seem calmer.”
He runs a hand over his clean-shaven chin. “Yeah, way calmer. Sorry for going off on you like that. Maggie says there’s a word for it. Mother stufftriggersme.”
“Yeah, you and me both. Are you still mad I called her?”
“You could’ve talked to me about it, first.”
“I was afraid you’d stick to your guns. We’ve been through a lot together, so I know how you work, you know? How you handle people. How you react. I figured you’d put off calling her until the very last possible minute, and even then, you might not say the right things to get her out here in time. And I also didn’t want you to have to go through it… calling her, I mean. You’re—you’re pretty much my best friend, Trent.”
“Aw, sis. Come on. You don’t have to say that.”
“No, really. I mean, I havelotsof friends. But you’ve always been my closest one, there for me no matter what. And I want to be there for you, too, and I thought that’s what I was doing. I figured it was going to suck for you to call her, and I wanted to take the hit for you.”
He holds out his fist.
For a fist bump.
