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I wanted to yell into the silence that followed. After what was likely seconds and not the minutes that it felt like, Hazel responded. “Not exactly. He still keeps pushing me away.”
“You know I love you Hazel,” Jess started and paused. Tact wasn’t her strong suit, so I knew she was toning down what she wanted to say. “He just isn’t interested, boo.”
“You’re right,” Hazel sniffled louder, her ensuing muffled sob cut through the phone and my heart. I hated that I kept hurting her. This was exactly why I tried to keep my distance. Why had I insisted she come stay with me?
“We don’t want to be,” Niki said, “but I think Jess is right. You haven’t been on a date in forever. You signed up for that app and still haven’t gone out with anyone after that first one.”
“You’re right, I haven’t, but I wonder how truthful they’re being about what they want and who they are. After I went on that date and the guy didn’t want another because he didn’t look at the whole body profile pic I kind of lost my confidence.” Rage curled in my belly, shooting out through my limbs. I’d have Amelia hack her account and find out who this douchebag was and find ways to hurt him.
“I get that. Why do you think I’m still single, Zelly?” The nickname surprised me.
“And Jareth… ” Hazel’s voice trailed off. I hoped to fucking God she hadn’t been about to say she feared the same was true of me.
“Is attracted to you. I have no doubt about that, but that’s not enough for him to make a move. It’s a ‘him’ problem, not a ‘you’ problem,” Jess advised. She was 100% correct, as much as I hated to admit Jess was right about anything.
“You’ve waited long enough for him,” Niki, who I was beginning to hate, commented.
“But things have been good the last few weeks. I feel like we’re connecting. Maybe with more time.” That was my girl, not willing to back down or give up on me. I hated the satisfaction settling in my chest. I didn’t want her pining over me, but I also didn’t want her with anyone else.
“Because you, sweetie, are irresistible and any guy would be lucky to have you. Hard truth though. When you go back to your own place, do you think these tiny steps forward will continue?” I officially hated this person.
“I… Well… ” For once silence followed Hazel’s stuttered words. “No, I guess not. Okay, Lacey, set me up on a date with your friend. Do it now before I change my mind.”
I couldn’t stop the roar that left my mouth. The phone went dead. “I’ll fucking kill him.”
“Do you need us to hide a body?” A smirk crossed Jack’s face. “You know I’m only here for a few days and the ground is starting to freeze. We’ll need to work fast.”
Luke chuckled. “Seriously, what’s going on?”
I didn’t respond right away. The anger surging through me was enough to make an inactive volcano active. “Hazel’s going on a date.”
“Do we hate the guy? Is he an asshole?” Luke asked.
Trey elbowed him. “That’s not why he’s pissed, moron.”
Killian, the fucker, just sat there and laughed. “Karma’s a bitch dickhead.”
Archer crossed his arms over his chest. “Maybe now you’ll get your head out of your ass and do something about her.”
“I didn’t know you two were a thing.” Luke shook his head.
“We’re not,” I said through clenched teeth.
“And you won’t ever be if you don’t make a move now.” I wanted to tell Archer to shut up, but what if he was right?
“I can’t.” Acid coated my tongue as I said those two words. “She’s too good for me.”
“Face it, Hazel’s too good for most guys. But do you want her to end up with some asshole that can’t give her what she wants and needs or you?”
“She wants forever. I can’t give her that.” I barely recognized the raspy voice coming out of me.
“Then be honest and give her right now. Give yourselves time to see if you can be more.” When did Archer get so good at romantic advice?
“It’ll never happen. She deserves better.”
Jack shook his head and stood up. With his hands resting on top of the table, he gave me a careless shrug. “Then you won’t mind if I give it a try. Hazel’s hot. I just need to get ahead of the douche her friends are setting her up with.”
A sheet of red coated my vision and pounding started up in my ears as my fist swung connecting with Jack’s face. “She’s mine you son of a bitch!”
