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“Please tell me you aren’t this dense? Dating is to get to know someone, not already have all the answers. I’m not telling you shit about her anymore. I can’t trust that you wouldn’t put on a mask and pretend to be someone else to impress her. Scarlett isn’t dumb. She’d figure it out and would be offended and hurt. I refuse to be a part of this.”
“Then how come she hasn’t figured out her best friend has feelings for her?” His smug smirk widens as he swipes a callused thumb across his lips.
My heart speeds up, smacking into my chest. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
“I’m not dumb either. It’s all over your face how you feel about her. I’m just curious why you haven’t acted on it?”
“It’s none of your business. Unless it involves the construction of the TAG Center, I don’t think we have anything else to say to each other.” I stand and brush off the backs of my thighs. This guy is pissing me off.
“I trust you won’t mention anything to her about us speaking. Wouldn’t want me to accidentally tell her that her puppy dog of a friend is hopelessly and tragically in love with her. That might kick you out of the best friends’ club. Or maybe I should? If we continue to date, I’d hate to have her choose.”
Clenching my fists, I keep my laughter to a minimum. “Good luck with that, Kellen. I’ve got fourteen years of friendship with her. She wouldn’t drop me that easily.” If only he knew the depth of our friendship.
God, he’s an asshole.I hope she sees right through him. I hold my tongue and don’t say any more. He will surely dig his own grave without me getting involved. Scarlett deserves the best, and she’s smart. She’s ditched every other lowlife. It’s only a matter of time before she witnesses the load of shit he touts. And I’ll be there for her like I always am and will be.
But fear sneaks in and drags its poisonous claws through my flesh.What if she didn’t choose me over him?
I swallow the dread and tip my imaginary hat. “Good day to you, sir. Be sure not to choke on your chicken. I haven’t renewed my Heimlich certification. My bad.”
Stalking past him, I head back inside, flexing my fists at my sides, watching as Savy quirks an eyebrow up at my obviously annoyed expression.
We gather our things, pay, and walk out to our vehicles. Our backs pressed against the side of my truck, I wait for her to speak.
“Want to tell me what happened?”
My jaw ticks. “He’s an asshole, that’s what happened. And I don’t feel it is my place to say anything to Scarlett about him. She was happy their date went well and being the one to tell her he’s really a tool doesn’t sit well with me.”
“As her friend, wouldn’t it be better coming from you?”
Fuck, she makes a great point.
Closing my eyes, I tuck my head to my chest and tap my fingers against the hot metal at my back. Savy chucks me in the shoulder when I don’t respond.
A sigh punches from my lungs. “I gave him insight into Scarlett. Things she liked to do, places to take her, which is fine, but then he pretended to be someone else to gain brownie points. Tried to get more info out of me here.”
“Seriously?” her voice pitches higher.
“Yep.” I bite my lip.
Savy winces. “Wow. All looks and no brains. But Scarlett’s a smart woman. She’ll figure it out.” She gives my arm a squeeze and I thump my head back against the truck door.
“I hope so, because every fiber in me wants to tell her now before it goes any further, but I don’t feel it’s my place, even as her best friend. I told her I didn’t trust him several times, but unless she sees it herself, she’s going to see me as being a jerk or obstinate.”
“Well, you are strong-willed most of the time.” She chuckles and pulls me in for a hug before opening the door to her Mustang. “I know you’re tired of hearing this, but all I want is you happy. Whatever that looks like. She deserves it too. And I’m still one hundred and fifty percent on the Greyson/Scarlett train and will be secretly planning you guys’ wedding.”
I close her door for her, leaning into her open window and tweaking her pert nose. “Keep dreaming there, sis, but I appreciate your support.”
I’ll keep dreaming too.
* * *
My journal writingproves tough to get through tonight. The thought of Kellen and Scarlett put me in a sour mood, and I had to order pizza for Theo as a means of apology for my snarky attitude.
Forcing myself to pick up the pen, I chew on the end, contemplating what to write to turn this day around. I suck in a big breath and crack open my notebook to the last page.
1.I’m grateful Lynn and Isaac took over Forever Mae’s. It wouldn’t have been right for anyone else to own it. Plus, whatever Lynn adds to the fries is fucking fantastic. I wonder if she’d give me the recipe. See, food makes everything better.
2. I’m grateful for Savy. I’ve never had a sister, and she’s the closest I’ll ever get. Her meddling might drive me insane, but she makes me smile. And she likes serial killer shows, so I don’t feel like I need to see a therapist. Unless we’re both batshit crazy…
3. This is going to be stretching it a little, but I’m grateful for Kellen. Hear me out. He’s an asshat. He’s a terrible fit for Scar and if she can’t see that, well, then I’ll have no choice but to tell her he’s a fraud. However, watching him on the rock-climbing wall makes me feel better about myself. Has no one told the man tucking his T-shirts into his jeans is a quick indicator of a mid-life crisis? (humor to mask the pain sort of helps.)
4. As always, I’m grateful for Scarlett. She steals all the air from the room even when she doesn’t try. Merely existing beside her is sometimes enough. Maybe I can hold on to that and be thankful she’s stuck around for this long.
5. And Theo. I’m grateful every day for that kid. From his easygoing nature to his occasional back-talking, I’ll take it because without him, I’d be lost.
Mood lifted, I shut the notebook and walk to my closet near the door. Pulling down a box from the top shelf, I open it, slide the notebook in with the rest and snag a fresh one for tomorrow. The full box tucked back onto the shelf, I close the door and settle on the couch, joining Theo for a quick show before his bedtime.
Wrapping my arm around him, I squeeze him tight and fluff his thick, dark hair. If I can’t have Scarlett, at least I have the best part of her.
