You're to Blame(31)

“He never did,” she confesses. “I don’t think it ever crossed his mind as something he should do.”

Her protection of him both intrigues me and makes me wonder why she feels the need to defend him when he’s not here.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re upset with Jacob. Not all the time, but you make small comments,” I say.

“How do I explain this?” She taps her finger along her tight jaw. “People change, and that’s okay, but sometimes Jacob zigs when I zag. When I see changes in him, I don’t always know how to take them.”

“Like what kind?”

“He’s in his own world. He’s off creating these memories, and sometimes I get this idea that I’m holding him back.”

“You can’t hold anyone back who doesn’t want to be held back.”

“That’s sort of what I mean. I don’t think he wants to be held back. He stopped doing all the things that made us, us, and then you do these sweet things like opening my car door.” Her eyes blink slowly and water. “And it seems so foolish, but it makes me wonder.”

“Wonder what?” I grip the steering wheel, hoping it keeps me from reaching out and linking my fingers with hers.

“If maybe...” She fidgets with her hair, pulling it up and dropping it back down onto her shoulders.

At the red light, I glance over at her. Out of all my mistakes, this is the biggest one I could’ve made. Her eyes meet mine, and I suddenly want to be a person worthy of Charlotte.

“Maybe it could be better.” I finish her thought, putting her out of her misery. She’s struggling, and I understand why.

“Maybe it could be better,” she whispers.

Maybe it’s time I start being honest.





Chapter Nine





Charlotte


“Where are you taking me?” The streets blur while the cool glass chills my cheek. “You said you’d cure my hangover with breakfast, not a field trip.”

Duke rolls his ring around his finger. His attention darts from the front windshield to me, as if looking at either for too long causes him pain.

“I don’t want this morning to end.” His moment of honesty is wrapped in a morning of firsts. Him showing up to the apartment with the adorable bag packed full of hangover remedies had been a surprise. Duke and I crossing over into rocky territory isn’t. We are constantly teetering on the edge of something.

“Neither do I.” I bounce my knee to the beat of the engine’s rumble.

“Maybe it doesn’t have to, then?”

“Lead the way.” I smile, eager for what will happen next.

It’s noon when we get back to my apartment. Rachel still sits on the couch, cuddled under a blanket, watching the marathon of some reality show.

“Hey, you’re back,” she calls out. I drop the bags on the table beside her, and she jerks her head around at the noise. “And you’re not alone, either.”

“We bought ice cream,” Duke states, fidgeting behind me. He’s uncomfortable, and I’m tempted to point out that, although mean at times, Rachel won’t bite him.

“Yummy! What kind?” Rachel rummages through and finds the pint I picked especially for her. She looks at Duke and me with dreamy, excited eyes. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“You can thank Duke. He’s the one who bought it.” I tap him on the stomach.

“Let’s keep him around,” Rachel announces as he scoops up the bags and takes them into the kitchen.

Let’s keep him around. What if he does go somewhere? I’ve never thought about it, but at some point, this easy friendship may not be so easy anymore. I’m not sure I like the idea of him going away.

Duke steps into the living room with a giant smile on his face, two small ice cream containers in his hand, and spoons in the other. He’s happy, and a part of me hopes it’s not just the Cherry Garcia making him that way.

“We’re going to hang out in my room.”

Duke heads that way, but Rachel’s cold hand on my wrist stops me.

“So...” She flutters her eyebrows. “How was breakfast?”

“Delicious.” My mouth waters at the memory of my pancakes.

“Oh, everything in life would be delicious if you’re sitting across from Duke Anderson.” She stuffs ice cream into her mouth, licking every last trace off the spoon.

“Shut up.” I smack her arm. “He might hear you.”

“He knows how hot he is, you know that, right? I mean, the guy has mirrors in his house. If I were you, I’d go into my bedroom, lock the door, and smear ice cream all over his good bits and lick it off.” She jabs her spoon at me. “Now, go. Don’t keep that hot piece of ass waiting.” She shoves on my thigh, pushing me towards the hallway.

Duke gives me a strange look when I step into my room, laughing to myself.

“Sorry about that.” I glance over my shoulder and back to him, trying to keep a straight face. “Rachel just wanted to talk for a second.”

“And so, you thought you’d leave my hot piece of ass waiting in your bedroom?”

Shit. I’m sweating, like actually sweating.

“You heard that?” I fan my face with my hand.