More Than I Could (88)

Jerk.





“Stop looking at your phone,” I say. “Give me attention.”

Gavin looks up. “You realize we aren’t dating, right?”

“Obviously. I’d never date you.”

He snorts.

“I wouldn’t. You’re best friend vibes, not hot guy I wanna fuck vibes.”

He shakes his head like he can’t believe I’m saying this and returns to his phone.

“I’m not paying for your food if you don’t give me company,” I say.

“You are needy. Damn.”

“And you’re a terrible best friend. Damn.”

He sighs and exits whatever app he’s on. Then he sets his phone on the table. He folds his hands on the tabletop and smiles politely. “There. You just cost me a hookup on social, but there. Happy now?”

“Thank you.”

“What would you like to talk about?”

“First,” I say, swirling my straw around my Sprite, “I want to know why you let me fall for your brother.”

“Oh no. I warned you.”

I gasp. “You most certainly did not.”

“Well, knowing you, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. You have this propensity of doing what you want regardless of what others think.”

I scoff.

“You do,” he insists.

“Like what?”

“Like … falling for my brother.” He grins. “You really fell for him, huh?”

I roll my eyes.

“So,” he says, sinking back in his chair, “what is this brunch thing, anyway? You aren’t using me to make him jealous or something, right? He’ll kill me, and that’ll be on you. Can you live with that?”

“I’m not making him jealous. You are literally the only person I know here, and I wasn’t about to sit in Chase’s house while he goes and does whatever today. It’s … awkward.”

Tabitha comes by and places our food in front of us. She makes quick chitchat with Gavin before scampering off to another table.

“Why are you guys fighting?” he asks, chomping on the end of a fry.

“Honestly? I don’t know.”

He looks at me like I’m joking.

“I don’t know,” I say again. “He told me last night that he didn’t think I was a good fit for his life—”

“What?”

“So I should go home or whatever.” My chest pulls so tight that I wince. “So screw him.”

“I don’t think screwing him is fixing your problems.”

“Ha.”

He takes a drink and watches me over the cup.

My energy begins to wane, and reality begins to settle in. Chase didn’t stop me from leaving this morning. He didn’t try to apologize. He didn’t even try to talk to me.

I frown. “I have a ticket back to Texas this evening.”

Gavin slowly places his glass back on the table.

“Could you take me to the rental car place this afternoon so I can get to the airport? I’ll pay you,” I say.

“Megs.”

I shove a fry in my mouth so I can’t respond.

He grimaces, moving his head around his neck. “Don’t do this.”

“I didn’t do anything,” I say after I swallow.

He picks up his phone again. His fingers fly over the keys.

“Will you take me?” I ask. “If not, I can try to find a taxi, but I don’t know that they come all the way out to Chase’s.”

He doesn’t look up from his device.

“Hello? Gavin?”

He looks up and sighs. He’s torn, but he gives in. “Yeah. I’ll take you.”

“Thanks.”

“But let’s order dessert.”

I make a face. “What?”

“Dessert.” He eyes his phone for a moment and then sets it down again. “We’re ordering dessert. If this is your last meal at The Wet Whistle, then we’re getting cake.”

“Then you’re paying.”

He grins. “Fine.”

“Fine.”

I don’t know what I expected or what I thought might happen. No, that’s a lie. I wanted Chase to … chase me. I wanted him to think I was someone he couldn’t just discard.

Instead, I’m leaving. Kinda like I always knew I would.





Chapter Thirty-Four





Chase




“I thought you were going to Luke’s?” Mom asks, taking the last coffee mug from their trip out of her car.

“I am. Or I was. But he just called and said he has to swing by work for a little while, so I’ll wait for him to come home. Otherwise, I’ll get out there and do all the work.”

Mom laughs. “You aren’t wrong.”

Kennedy comes out the front door and jogs across the lawn. “Hey, Dad! Wait.”

“What’s wrong with her?” I ask Mom.

“No clue.”

“What’s up?” I ask as she gets closer.

She comes to a stop next to me. “Hey, can you run me home real quick? I forgot my phone charger, and because your parents refuse to use Apple products like the rest of the world …”