Time Will Tell (Maybe #3)(10)

Zach eyes him as he leaves, waiting for him to exit before he speaks. “He wants you. Bad.”

“He was about to ask me out,” I admit.

Zach smirks. “Like he has a chance.”

I make him a cookies and cream cone. “And why would you say that? He’s good looking and nice enough.”

He shrugs and puts his hands in his pockets. “Not your type.”

I roll my eyes. “I don’t have a type.”

I don’t have much experience with men. I may not be a virgin, but I haven’t had that much sex, either.

“So, what brings you here? I’m surprised you’re even out of bed.”

I hand him the ice cream cone and put my hand out for the money.

Zach grins and hands me a twenty. “I actually need a favour.”

“Of course you do,” I mutter. “What do you need?”

“I got some club shit going on tonight, so I was wondering if maybe you could keep Xander company?” he asks.

I hand him his change and think about how to answer this. Zach knows I would have no plans tonight, but I don’t want to be alone with Xander. Not only do I turn into a bumbling idiot, but after last night and this morning, it’s going to be extremely awkward.

“Can’t he hang out with that chick from last night?” I ask. He did sleep with her, after all. Surely, he would be more comfortable around her.

Zach chuckles. “She was an easy lay. He’s not going to see her again.”

It’s a small town, but I don’t bother to point that out. I still run into Cain, the guy I lost my virginity to at seventeen. Yeah, not so good times.

“I saw him coming in this morning,” I say. “He didn’t even know I lived next door.”

Zack licks his ice cream, then answers. “I know, he asked me why I didn’t tell him.”

“Why didn’t you?” I ask, curious.

He shrugs. “I saw him staring at you last night. I didn’t want him to make you feel awkward. I know how you get. You freeze up, then try to think of an excuse to turn the guy down without hurting him, but end up saying yes last minute anyway.”

Do I do that?

I think back to Richard only moments ago. Would I have given in and said yes just to avoid hurting his feelings?

Maybe.

Shit, I am a pushover.

“And what if I was interested?” I ask, staring Zach straight in the eye.

“In Xander?” he asks with his mouth dropping open.

“If you repeat this conversation, I will kill you in your sleep,” I growl, leaning over the counter.

Zach rubs the back of his neck with his free hand. “Fuck, Trill. He’s just passing through, and you aren’t a casual kind of girl.”

I’m really not. But I’ve also never wanted someone the way I want Xander. I sigh and lean on my elbows. “It doesn’t matter. Fine, I’ll hang out with Xander tonight.”

“Wait a minute, you wanted Xander? And then I set him up with that…” he trails off, scowling.

“It’s fine,” I say. “I just thought he was good-looking. No big deal.” I try to play it off.

“Why didn’t you say something, Trill? Shit, I’ve brought so many of my brothers around you and you didn’t even bat an eyelash. How was I supposed to know who would catch your interest?”

I stand up straight. “Doesn’t matter.”

Zach is still staring at me, wide-eyed. “In the years I’ve known you, you’ve never, ever, even f*ckin’ once admitted to liking someone even a little bit. It does matter.”

I decide to be blunt. “Like you said, he’s just passing through and he’s already found someone to keep him busy while he’s here, so please, just forget we ever had this conversation.”

“Fine,” he mumbles. “Now I feel like shit.”

“Well, don’t,” I reply. “I’m obviously not his type anyway, and that’s okay.”

I’m his Richard, if that makes sense.

“What the f*ck do you mean, you’re his Richard? Are you crazy?” Zach snaps at me.

Shit, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.

My boss decides to walk in at that moment. She smiles at Zach and tells me I can clock out. Zach follows me to my car, muttering under his breath the whole way. I unlock the door and open it.

“See you at home.”

“Trill—”

I turn to him. “Please don’t embarrass me with this.”

“Fine,” he says, holding the door open for me to slide in. Before he shuts it, he leans down and says quietly, “You deserve the best, you know that, right?”

I puff out a breath. “See you later, Zach.”

He closes the door and I drive home.





Chapter Five


Xander


“If you’re busy tonight, that’s cool. I didn’t expect you to drop your life when I came here,” I tell Zach, who is playing a video game.

“I have some shit at the clubhouse I need to be there for, but Trillian said she would come over and take you out somewhere,” he replies, staring at the screen.

I clear my throat. I had wanted to ask more about her all day, but was waiting for an opening. “So the two of you never hooked up?” I ask.