Bad Things (Tristan & Danika #1)(44)

I was feeling…self-destructive was the best way to put it. I was finding it nearly impossible not to do something that would distract me from the fact that I was feeling tender, and wounded. I wanted to do something phenomenally stupid, like call my ex.

Which was why it was such horrible timing that Jared chose that morning to call me. I’d given him my number, in a friendly sort of way, days before. I’d saved his into my cell at the time, so I knew right away who was calling me.

We were outside, and the boys were playing in their tree house. They were playing the usual tree house game, where Ivan attacked the tree house with an invisible army, and Mat and I had to defend. This usually involved me sitting in the cramped little wooden structure, pointing out of the opening, and firing my finger at a worked up Ivan about every three minutes, while Mat did all of the ground work; basically spazzing out in a circle around the tree. Often, I found this highly entertaining, since the boys seemed to have a ridiculous amount of knowledge about warfare, courtesy of cable. Today, though, I was just phoning it in, pointing my finger, and shooting on cue with little enthusiasm. Luckily, it seemed to make no difference to a six and an eight year old.

I stared at my phone for a long moment when it began to ring, and I saw who it was, but I answered, wanting a distraction, even a self-destructive one. I supposed that Jared was a better option than my ex.

“Hello, Jared,” I answered.

“Hey! Danika. Listen, I know you said you weren’t up for a date or anything yet, but I was thinking we could just go to dinner. Just a friendly dinner, nothing fancy. How does that sound?”

It sounded like a date. Did I care? Not just then. I knew it was shitty, since he was Tristan’s brother, but I wanted so badly to just be distracted for an evening. Distracted from Jared’s brother, in particular. I told myself that would be enough to help me stop thinking about Tristan. Some corner of my brain even acknowledged that I also wanted badly to be able to tell Tristan that I had plans if he wanted to do something that night, or even if he didn’t.

So I had a crush on Tristan? So what? It had developed quickly, and I swore that it would fade even faster.

Jared was still talking, his tone cajoling, as he tried to make it sound like he wasn’t asking me out on a date.

“Sure. Yeah, I’d love to, but it will have to be a late dinner,” I interrupted.

“Great. Perfect.” He sounded pleased but surprised. “What time should I pick you up?”

I chewed on my lip as I thought about it. “Nine o’clock should be good, but I’d rather meet up somewhere.”

“That works. Is there a place you’d prefer for dinner?”

“Chipotle.”

“Um…that sounds very informal.”

“It’s not a date, right? Nothing fancy, you said.”

He laughed, and it reminded me so much of Tristan that I wanted to cry.

“Fine, fine. That works. Aren’t you close to the Beltz Mall? How about we meet up at the Chipotle over there?”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”

I was just hanging up when I caught sight of the sliding glass door opening, a rough looking Tristan stepping outside.

He was the picture of remorse as he approached me, giving me an endearing smile that made my heart twist. “I slept in. I didn’t mean to. I promised you breakfast. How can I make it up to you?”

I shook my head, waving that off and trying not to feel horrible about going out with his brother. All of my reactions were off when it came to Tristan. I should not have felt so broken up about the fact that he had slept with some random girl last night, and I should not feel guilty about spending time with his brother. But, strictly friends or not, I felt both.

“I am fully capable of making breakfast,” I told him.

“I know, but I still wish I hadn’t slept in. I like doing nice things for you. I like spoiling you. I like doing anything at all for you, as long as it makes you smile.”

I looked down, pretending to study my phone, blinking back ridiculous tears.

“What would you like to do tonight?” he asked, moving as close as he could get to me through the opening in the tree house. “I’m getting my car back today, so we can go anywhere. I’ll let you pick this time, and I’ll drive. We’ll go wherever you like and I’ll treat.”

I swallowed. “I have plans, actually. Maybe another night.” It hadn’t felt nearly as good as I’d thought it would to turn him down.

“Oh?” he inquired, still smiling. “Another girls’ night so soon?”

“No, not that. That’s not for a few days. I’m just going out…with a friend.”

“A friend? Just one? She can come with us, or I could tag along with you.”

“It’s…not like that. It’s just a dinner thing, with a friend. Just the two of us.”

His smile died, his brows drawing together, though his expression was still just curious. “Who’s this friend?”

I shrugged.

“Is this a girl friend or a guy friend?” he asked, just as though he had the right.

I cleared my throat. “It’s a guy, though it’s not a big deal. Like I said, we’re just going out to dinner.”

He nodded, rubbing his jaw and looking at his feet. “It’s not your ex, is it?” he asked quietly, his voice low.