The Summer Deal (Wildstone #5)(89)

“And what kind of a relationship do you want to have?”

“A real one.”

Kinsey’s expression said she was afraid to hope that was true. But it was. In spite of everything, maybe because of everything, Brynn did want a relationship with her. Badly.

“You’re sure?” Kinsey asked.

“Very.”

Kinsey gave a single nod. “Okay, but in the spirit of not protecting you, I’m not the only one who messed up today. You also did, with Eli, big time.”

“He lied to me.”

“No. He didn’t tell you something. Because I asked him not to, and I’m very sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“He didn’t have to do what you asked. He chose to keep up your lie.”

Kinsey didn’t look impressed. “Okay, pot, meet kettle.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“You lied to your moms for years about being bullied because you didn’t want to hurt their feelings.”

Dammit. True story. Which meant she was a hypocritical asshole.

“Eli’s a good guy, Brynn. One of the best guys I know. And all he’s guilty of is giving me time to figure out how to tell you the truth, which, for the record, he hated every moment of.”

He was the best guy she knew too, and the only guy she’d ever wanted to keep.

Forever.

Kinsey was quiet a moment, concentrating on the road. “You know his biggest fear is not being chosen. You know he was a throwaway, like me. That’s why we connected all those years ago at summer camp. His mom was done with being a mom. His dad had moved on with a new wife and new kids, and Eli was left in the dust. If it hadn’t been for me and Max, he’d be without family at all.”

Brynn’s heart hurt, worse than during her last panic attack. “I know. I screwed up.”

“Yeah, you did. You took those fears of his and turned them into a reality for him. You made it very clear to both of us back there at the pancake house that you were done, and why? Because things went a little pear-shaped. Well, guess what, sis? When things go bad, you don’t just walk away. You fight it out. But that’s not what you did. You told us we were your biggest mistake. Now, me? I couldn’t give a shit. I’m a lot of people’s biggest mistake. But Eli. Jesus. How could you think that wouldn’t hurt him?”

Brynn had no idea. She hadn’t been thinking. She’d been hurt and angry and embarrassed, and she’d reacted.

Badly.

“A long time ago, he decided the hell with getting hurt and stopped letting people in. Until you.” Kinsey looked over at her. “He let you in, Brynn.”

And she’d walked away from him. He hadn’t been a mistake. Not even close. And it’d never been her intent to hurt him, ever. He was the only guy who’d ever really entrusted her with everything, and what had she done? She’d thrown it away like it hadn’t meant anything to her. “Where is he?”

“I don’t know. He told me that he’d find his own way back and to leave him alone for a bit.”

Brynn stared at her. “Why would he leave without you?”

“Because he saw me with Deck.”

“Deck?”

“Remember when I called him earlier and then hung up on him? Long story, but he felt sorry enough for me to come. And to take me back.”

Brynn shook her head, full of too many questions. “You let Eli leave? And Deck actually came for you? Did you grovel? Is there video?”

“Yes, yes, yes, and thank God no. And I let Eli leave because he wanted to be alone. Plus, I wasn’t the one who broke his heart. Deck came for me because, although it defies believability, he loves me. And I admitted I loved him. And then I asked him to wait at the pancake house for me while I came to get you.” She smiled. “Did you know loving someone is better than pancakes?”

“Yes,” Brynn whispered. It was. And she’d blown it. She pulled out her phone and called Eli.

He didn’t pick up, and she felt her chest pinch tight with worry. She looked at Kinsey. “I’m happy for you. Really happy. But I need to get to Eli.”

“Agreed. But he’s not picking up my phone calls either. You should have put him on your Find Your People app.”

Brynn watched the high desert landscape go by, feeling worse and worse by the mile. “What do you think my chances are of fixing this with him? Honestly.”

“Honestly? Probably zero.”

“Not helping.”

“You asked.”

Brynn was still looking out the window. She saw something. Someone. She squinted at the guy walking down the highway, heading away from them. He was in faded jeans and a loose T-shirt, and Brynn’s heart skipped several beats. “Oh my God, pull over!”

“What? Why?”

“It’s Eli!”

“How can you tell from that distance? You can’t see anything past your own nose.”

She’d have known that sexy butt anywhere. Her heart was in her throat, because this was all her. She had to make this right, and historically, she wasn’t all that great at that.

Kinsey slowed, flipping off the car behind her when it honked at her. “Don’t screw this up.”

Brynn nodded and hopped out before the car even came to a full stop. “Eli!”