Crushed (Torn #7)(51)

She blinked once, twice then finally made a small nod. “Mm’kay. Give me ten minutes to get ready.”

Twenty minutes later, we were out of the door and on our way to the barbeque.

The short walk was fraught with silence. I could feel her deep thoughts and probably her guilt more so. Knowing how awful she felt, I reached for her hand and gave it a light squeeze before letting it go. I didn’t have to relay in words that I would always be there for her, no matter what.

Arriving at the guys’ place with Trista was somehow bittersweet. I had so many memories with Brody here, and now I must pretend that none of that mattered any longer. It was my decision, and I intended to stick to it.

I missed him with every beat of my heart, though. He was imbedded so deeply into my DNA it was hard to live, breathe, and think without him in mind. However, I had made up my mind about him, us, and I had to persevere, or I wouldn’t know what life was without him.

Once we got to the boys’ pad, Brody and Cooper were there to greet us. Surprisingly enough, there weren’t many people there. The get together only consisted of seven people, which was an unusual head count for their parties.

Everyone hung out on the patio where the grill was full of burgers, hotdogs, and steaks. Unlike most folks, I liked my steak well done with little charred marks on both sides. Once ready, everyone gathered around the table as we munched on salad, corn on the cob, and corn bread as sides to the meats.

Of course, I sat opposite of where Brody was sitting, silently sipping on his corona. Though we didn’t speak to one another, apart from the small nod we had earlier on my arrival, I could feel his eyes on me most of the time. It was like he was trying to catch my attention, but I hadn’t given in and glanced over to where he was located yet.

I was pretty much happy munching on my food, feeling invincible, because everyone except Brody, of course, was asking Trista about her trip and Lindsey’s wedding in Greece. These people were Lindsey’s friends, as well, so it was pretty normal for them to be curious. Trista, who was relieved to be out of the house, seemed whimsical upon describing our friend walking down the aisle for the second time.

My happy, invincible time munching, however, came to a halt when Russo, a guy who was part of the school’s soccer team, directed his attention on me.

“Are you dating anyone? Anyone I know?” He was obviously teasing, possibly baiting me to say someone’s name in particular, but I wasn’t buying it.

“Here and there…” I nonchalantly responded with a shrug. “No one in particular, really.”

Much to my dismay, Trista decided to chime in with her two cents. “She’s secretive about her boys, though I imagine she has tons ‘cause her phone won’t ever stop beeping with invites.”

Well, thank you, Trista. What a dear friend you are.

“She’s probably like Carter’s main squeeze, or are you? You never update me on anything.”

If there was a time that I wanted her to gladly shut the f*uk up, this was it. But my glaring and darting, evil eyes didn’t divert her attention. Therefore, stuck with the question everyone at the table was awaiting my answer on with an awkward silence, I knew I had to say something.

“Maybe I’ll tell you later when there’s not an audience around.” I wasn’t necessarily playing coy, but what the hell? I didn’t want people here to know my business during dinner. It wasn’t my style. Then I had the genius idea of diverting the question back to her, the lady of the minute. “And you know, while we’re on that subject, maybe you’d like to update me on your love life.”

“He’s pissed,” she said. “He won’t even pick up my calls.”

Damn, it was that bad?

“Did you apologize at least? I mean, I know you’re prideful when it comes to stuff like that, but I think he deserves to hear you’re sorry.”

“I did. Of course, I did. I mean, come on, I didn’t do it on purpose. It was just a stupid kiss. I didn’t even like it.”

Russo whistled and the rest laughed at her too oblivious take on things.

“It sure doesn’t look like just a kiss when it comes to men. If a girlfriend of mine did that, I’d f*uking flip, too.”

Knowing Taylor, I was sure the man felt betrayed, and he was too consumed by that feeling to see anything else. Poor Tay-Tay.

“If something happens between you two, please know that you’re a stupid woman to let something so beautiful and so loyal get out of your hands.”

Taylor was insane for her. How could she be here, enjoying a damn barbeque when she should have used this time to grovel her way back into that hot man’s steely arms? Her priorities were all out of order. Then again, I supposed we all had our own battles to fight, so maybe she would come around to her senses.

“He’s just mad at me right now … He’ll come around.”

“Let’s hope he does because it sure doesn’t look like you’re going to make an ounce of an effort to try to breach this problem between you two. You know I love you, but … You need to get your ass in gear and get that hunky boyfriend of yours back,” I softly chided her, hoping she would wake up and do something about it instead of sulking. It was her fault they’d had this fight in the first place; therefore, she had to take the initiative to make amends first. “You do know, if you can’t fight for him, someone will, right? Men like that always have women around them, swarming for the right moment to snatch him from you.”