Bring Down the Stars (Beautiful Hearts Duet #1)(34)

“What the hell should I have said?”

“That the guy was an idiot. You should have reassured her that she’s not going to get screwed over again. Or that at the very least, you respect her pain and you don’t want to add to it.”

Connor sagged and studied his beer bottle. “Yeah, that would’ve been exactly what she wanted to hear.”

Silence fell between us. My heart felt like it was being pulled in two directions—to helping Connor try again with Autumn, or to convince him to move on.

So you can take your shot?

“I wouldn’t mind something real with a girl, you know?” Connor said after a moment. “The hookups are fun, but I have a lot more to offer than money. And that stupid car. Jesus, I could’ve been driving a Pinto for all Autumn cared.” He looked at me. “No offense to your beautiful automotive trash heap.”

“None taken,” I said. Because Autumn wouldn’t care.

“When I told her about my sports bar idea, she said something amazing.”

“Yeah?” I asked, my voice low.

“She said she was going to go out into the world to help people, while I was creating a haven for them to come to. A haven.” He gave his head a short shake and put his beer bottle to his mouth. “My parents wouldn’t think like that. Ever.”

My pen scrawled along the blank page.

Haven.

Safety.

I give you my dreams for safekeeping.

“But it’s too late now,” Connor said. He drained his beer. “I fucked it up.”

I studied my best friend, whose inherent happiness was constantly beat down by the Drakes who wanted him to be something he wasn’t. Connor never wanted for anything in his life, but didn’t ask for much either.

He’s asking for her.

“What’s she doing now?” I asked.

“Autumn?” He shrugged. “I dropped her off at her place. Why?”

“Give me your phone.”

Connor fished it out of his jacket pocket and slid it across the table. “You have a plan?”

“Shh. Let me think.”

I opened the thread of messages with Autumn. My thumb hesitated over the key, and then I typed a textbook Connor Drake opener:

Hey. I wanted to tell you I had a great time tonight.

Connor brought his chair around to sit beside me. “You just broke my three-day rule,” he said. “Again.”

Autumn’s text came back. Me too.

Nothing else.

“Not exactly a ringing endorsement,” I said.

“Ha ha.”

My thumbs started flying.

And I completely fucked up.

“Dude,” Connor said.

“Shut up and watch,” I said.

What do you mean? she wrote.

What you told me about your ex caught me off guard. I couldn’t believe any guy would be so blind to what he had in you. But I didn’t treat you with the respect you deserved either. You put something personal and painful in my hands and I dropped it.

It’s okay, she wrote back and I could imagine her soft smile as she leaned her chin on her hand, the phone in the other, reading my words.

No, it’s not. He had two years with you and he threw them away. I had only one dinner, but it was enough to make me want to do better. To talk to you.

I hit send and bit my lip, brows furrowed. I felt Connor’s anticipation hanging over me, but he kept silent.

Thank you for saying so, Autumn wrote. I think I’d like that too.

How about we grab a coffee?

I have to be up early, remember?

I shot Connor a look. He shrugged and tried to grab for his phone. I smacked his hand away.

Decaf coffee.

:) but now?

Right now. Before you sleep and wake up and put me behind you. I don’t want to be there. I want to be in front of you, at least one more time.

“Too much,” Connor murmured. “She’s going to say no.”

“Shhh,” I hissed.

My heart was pounding like it did before a race. It wasn’t my race, but I was already halfway to the finish line and losing was not an option. I ran to win, even if it meant this time I’d lose. Hard.

Finally, the rolling dots of Autumn’s reply appeared. I held my breath.

I think Claire’s Café is still open. I could meet you there?

Warmth flooded my chest and my hand clenched in victory under the table.

Perfect, I typed. See you in a few.

See you then, Connor.

Connor.

His hand clapped my shoulder and the cold bucket of reality splashed over my ‘victory.’

“Holy shit.” He took his phone back and read over the texts. “You have a gift, my friend.”

“Yeah, well, study and learn,” I said stiffly, rising from my chair. I wasn’t dressed for running but my sweats and T-shirt would suffice. I went to the door to put on my shoes. “Read what I wrote to her and use it. And the comment she made about the sports bar being a haven? Tell her you’re still thinking about it. Tell her what it meant to you.”

Connor nodded. “I will. Because I am.”

“Good, because I’m not doing that again.”

“Why not? It worked perfectly.”

“It’s dishonest,” I said. “Autumn’s already been burned hard by dishonesty. If she finds out, she’ll never talk to either of us again.”