The Spiral Down (The Fall Up #2)(65)

The first genuine smile in over a week teased at my lips, but it fell just as fast. There was a reason Henry and Levee were so close, and that similarity was almost more than I could take.

“I’ll be happy to indulge you. No suppressing necessary,” Scott flirted, sauntering into the kitchen, his abs flexed so tight it was a wonder he was able to speak. “Nice to meet you, Levee.” He extended a hand over the bar.

Levee took his hand and turned to the side to expose her stomach, politely—and pointedly—saying, “Nice ink. My husband would love it.”

Scott barked a laugh, catching the hint loud and clear. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“I would expect nothing less from the consummate straight man,” she replied.

I pressed brew on the coffee pot and then leaned my hip against the counter, crossing my legs at the ankle. “So, let’s get back to Henry.”

Her eyes flashed to Scott in question.

“Oh, don’t hold back on my account,” he said. “I know all about Henry’s premature departure. Evan hasn’t stopped crying all week.” He nabbed an apple off the counter and polished it on his flexed pec.

I swung a fist out to the side and landed it hard on his shoulder. “Asshole.”

“What? It’s true. Besides you know beautiful women are my kryptonite. I’d spill all of your deep, dark secrets for one this gorgeous.” He winked at Levee while crunching into the apple.

Her eyes lit as she leaned over the bar and asked, “Is he in love with Henry?”

“Don’t answer that!” I shouted.

He mocked insult. “Man, I would never answer something so personal.” Then he turned to Levee, nodding as he shot her a shit-eating grin.

“Oh, for f*ck’s sake. Can you go home now?” I growled at him.

“Sure can.” He turned back to Levee and shook his head while mouthing, “No.”

“Go,” I ordered.

He threw his hands up in surrender. “Okay, okay. I’m going. Nice to meet you, Levee.”

“You too, Scott the straight man,” she laughed.

I rolled my eyes and not-so-patiently waited for him to get dressed and actually leave. After one last round of goodbyes, Levee and I were alone again.

“So…Henry?” I prompted.

“Ah, yes. Henry.” She intertwined her fingers and rested her linked hands on the bar between us but said nothing else.

After several seconds of staring at each other, I was the one who finally broke the silence. “You’re killing me here.”

Placing a hand over her heart, she feigned innocence. “Oh, I’m sorry. I thought you weren’t interested.”

I shot her a don’t-be-ridiculous expression that had her smile spreading so wide I feared for her lips.

“Okay, okay… You freak him out.”

I hitched a thumb at my chest. “I freak him out? Me? The one he ran out on approximately ten seconds after we had sex for the first time? The one he has avoided at all costs since I f*cking pulled up my pants? Yeah. Sorry. Didn’t mean to freak him out so badly.”

“Well, I didn’t say it was a rational fear. I’m just stating the facts.”

Groaning, I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You know what? On second thought—I can’t do this. Maybe it’s for the best he took off the way he did. Save us the trouble down the road.”

“He’s scared. This is not the time to quit on him.”

I laughed, and it held God’s-honest humor. “Actually, I’m pretty sure that is the exact moment to quit. I don’t have it in me to play games. You want to talk scared? I’m f*cking terrified of your best friend. And you want to know why?”

“Evan…”

“Because I was scared he would do exactly what he did. Work his way into my life, consume me, and then leave my ashes blowing in the wind as he traveled to the next guy.”

“Evan, he didn’t leave. He’s crazy about you. He just doesn’t know how to come back.”

I pointed at the front door. “There’s a door right f*cking there. All he has to do is walk through it.”

“It’s not that easy for him,” she said defensively.

And that’s when I lost it. “Yes, it is that easy! I would take him back zero questions asked. Jesus, Levee. I miss him. His laugh. His randomness. The way he can captivate me from across a room. The rush I felt when we were together. It was the closest thing to flying I’ve ever experienced with my feet on the ground. I would do anything to have him back. How f*cking sad is that? He damn near breaks me, and I can’t even slam the f*cking door in his face.”

She smiled. “That’s not sad at all. That’s why I’m sitting here. Let me give you some info on Henry and then you can decide what you want to do with it. Okay? Just hear me out.”

I leaned forward, propping myself on my fists on the counter. “And who’s going to hear me out? Sure as f*ck not Henry. He ran out of here like his ass was on fire because he found out I was bisexual.” I laughed, but it held no humor. “I wasn’t straight enough for the man I was falling in love with. Do you have any idea how much that hurt?”

Her smile fell flat. “I do now.”

I instantly felt guilty. She didn’t deserve my wrath. She was only trying to help, but the longer we talked, the more jaded I became. I wanted him back more than anything, but I couldn’t magically be who he wanted me to be. That’s not how relationships worked. People seek out a mate who can offer comfort and unconditional acceptance. But the way Henry had made me feel that night as he’d lost his shit because of my sexuality had been anything but. There was nothing wrong with who I was. So f*cking what I wasn’t straight. So f*cking what I wasn’t gay. If he didn’t accept that, I was better off alone.