Crazy Stupid Love (Crazy Love #1)(61)

“It’s your date, why do I have to get it?” I whine, hating how pathetic I sound.

“Please, Kimber, I’m not ready,” she pleads through the closed door.

“Fine.” I huff, pushing up off the bed.

I adjust my black leggings and pull down my long gray sweater before taking one quick look at myself in the mirror. Considering I’ve been holed up in here all afternoon studying, I don’t look half bad. Well, other than the fact that my hair is tied up in the messiest bun ever and you can clearly see traces of dark circles under my eyes from my inability to sleep.

Letting out a deep sigh, I shake away the thoughts of Decklan that immediately creep into my mind. It’s been nearly a week since I last saw him. I wish I could say it’s gotten easier but if I’m being truthful, it’s actually gotten much worse.

“I’m coming,” I yell when the rapid knocking starts again after just a few seconds.

Crossing the space of the room, I rip open the door, only half looking at who’s on the other side considering Harlee is expecting Bryan. It takes a few seconds for my brain to register that’s not who it is, and I immediately do a double take.

“Gavin?” I question, taking a step backward into the room as he pushes his way inside. “Harlee is busy,” I say, assuming that’s why he’s here.

“This isn’t about Harlee.” He closes the door before spinning towards me, his blue eyes filled with concern. “It’s about Decklan.”

The mere mention of his name sends my heart galloping inside my chest and causes the sickest feeling to knot in the pit of my stomach.

“Decklan?” I barely get his name out, the last part catching in my throat.

“Look, I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t think it was the only way,” he says, apology lining his features.

“What is it?” I blurt, wishing he would just spit it out already. “Is Decklan okay?” Fear cripples my insides.

“He’s fine, physically anyways.” He sighs, running a hand through his short brown hair. “Emotionally, well let’s just say I’ve never seen him so low. He’s barely left his apartment in a week, he’s completely dropped all of his responsibilities at the bar, and at the rate he’s going he will have eliminated our entire stock of whiskey by week’s end. I know he’s pushing you away, hell he’s pushing everyone away, it’s what he does. But I need you to not let him. If he succeeds in losing you, I’m not sure he’ll recover.”

I open my mouth to respond but before I can get a word out Harlee emerges from the bathroom, the wide smile on her face immediately fading when she sees it's Gavin in our room and not Bryan.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she bites, her harsh voice not hiding the glimmer of excitement that lights behind her eyes.

“I’m here for Kimber.” His voice remains clipped as he does his best not to look at her, only throwing her a brief glance before turning his attention back to me.

“As I was saying, I need your help,” he continues.

“What’s going on?” Harlee immediately interjects, crossing the small space towards me.

“This doesn’t have anything to do with you.” He finally meets her gaze, his forehead creasing in frustration.

“The hell it doesn’t,” she snaps. “Kimber is my friend. If there’s something going on, I have the right to know.”

“It’s fine,” I interject, pulling Gavin’s attention back to me, gesturing for him to continue.

“Look, I can’t explain everything.” He lets out a loud exhale. “There’s something you don’t know about Decklan, something he’s chosen to keep from you. In order to understand what you’re dealing with, I feel like you need to know the whole story.”

“Okay...” I draw out, waiting for him to continue.

“Can I explain on the way?” he asks, surprising me.

“On the way to where?” I question, not trying to hide my confusion.

“To the cemetery.” He steps towards the door, tearing it open.

“The cemetery?” I stutter.

“Where Decklan’s brother is buried. Now can we go?” he asks impatiently from the open doorway.

I don’t try to hide my surprise over his statement. I didn’t know Decklan had a brother that died, though now that I think about it, it makes sense. The comments Trey made, the way Decklan would shut down when I tried to find out more about his family, the rift that was so clearly preventing him from having any kind of real relationship with his mom.

I can’t deny that a part of me feels very hurt that he didn’t feel like he could share something like this with me. Then again, in a way I kind of understand why he didn’t.

“I’m coming, too.” Harlee breaks into my thoughts, grabbing her jacket from the hook next to the door. “It’s not up for discussion.” She stops Gavin before he can object.

“What about your date?” I question, stepping into my boots before sliding my own jacket on.

“Date?” I can tell by the expression on Gavin’s face he doesn’t mean to say it out loud.

It’s clear Harlee can see that as well. She looks at him for a long moment before finally turning her attention back to me.