The Exception(58)
As I pulled in and docked the boat, I heard someone calling my name.
“Drew!” Liam shouted from a couple boats over.
Turning around, I saw him, Avery, Oliver, and Delilah waving at me.
“Hey.” I nodded as I walked over to him and Oliver and we shook hands.
“What are you doing here, bro?” Liam asked.
“I decided to go out on the boat for a while. Hi, Avery, Delilah.” I gave them each a hug.
“Hi, Drew. It’s good to see you.”
Looking over my shoulder, Liam spoke, “Where’s Jillian?”
The look on my face must have said it all because, instantly, the smile that was on Liam’s face quickly dissipated.
“She didn’t come.”
“Hey, Avery and Delilah want to go shopping, so why don’t you, me, and Oliver go hit up a bar for a couple of drinks and maybe some burgers,” Liam spoke.
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Oliver grinned.
Did I really want company right now? No, because they knew something was wrong and I’d be forced to talk about Jillian with them. Hell, maybe talking about her with someone would make me feel a little better.
“Sure. Sounds good.”
****
The three of us took a seat at a table out on the patio of a place called Surf. As soon as our waitress brought over our drinks, the questions started rolling in.
“So what happened?” Liam asked.
“With?” I took a sip of my scotch.
“Jillian?” His brow arched.
I took in a sharp breath. “She doesn’t feel the same way about me as I do her.”
“Are you sure about that?” Oliver asked.
“Bullshit!” Liam exclaimed as he sipped on his drink. “I’ve seen the two of you together and I know the look.”
“The look?”
“The one that says ‘I’m so into him.’” Liam grinned.
“What?” Oliver asked as he cocked his head at his brother. “Are you some kind of woman expert now?”
“I always have been, dear brother. It’s the same look Delilah always has with you and it’s the look that Avery gets when she’s with me.” He winked.
Oliver rolled his eyes. “Drew, did she tell you that she didn’t feel the same way?”
“She told me I was her friend and nothing more.” I finished off my scotch.
Just as I said that, the waitress walked over and set down our food.
“Hey, let me ask you something,” Liam said to her.
“Sure.” She smiled brightly at him.
“There’s a look women get when they’re really into a guy, right?”
“I suppose so,” she answered. “I mean, I don’t know for me, but I’ve seen a look on my girlfriends’ faces when they’re really into someone.”
“Describe that look.” Liam smiled.
“Liam!” Oliver voiced.
“Quiet, Oliver.” Liam waved his hand. “Go on.” He smiled at the waitress.
“I don’t know. It’s like a twinkle in their eye or just an overall sweetness that sweeps over their face. It’s hard to describe. Kind of like a glow.”
“Exactly!” Liam pointed his finger at her. “Thank you for your help. I will make sure to compensate you with a generous tip.” He winked.
She gave us each a smile and casually walked away after we ordered another round of drinks.
“See. I saw that glow or twinkle with Jillian.”
Oliver rolled his eyes and I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Go ahead and don’t believe, Oliver, but it’s true. And you, my bro friend,” he pointed at me, “need to claim what is yours.”
“And how do I do that? She doesn’t want a relationship. She’s very adamant about that.”
Liam waved his hand in front of his face. “So was Avery and look at us now.”
“Excuse me,” Oliver spoke. “If I remember correctly, she was the one who went after you in California.”
“Details. Details, Oliver. The point is she realized how much she loved me. So, here’s the plan, Drew. Get in touch with her and tell her that you gave it some serious thought and friends is what is best for the both of you. Make the agreement on her terms. Women love a good fight and when they realize we men aren’t fighting for them anymore, that’s when it hits them.”
“Is that so?” Oliver cocked his head.
“Well, not in your case. But you were pretty f*cked up.”
Again, I let out a chuckle.
“Listen, Drew,” Oliver spoke. “If you love Jillian that much, then you have to go after her.”
“No. No. No.” Liam shook his head. “This is totally different. Delilah loved you and you pushed her away. Jillian knows she loves Drew but is too afraid to admit it because she’s trying to find herself. She’s scared that if she confesses her feelings, she’ll be deterred from her journey.”
“So you’re a shrink now?” Oliver asked.
“I should be, right?” Liam winked. “Anyway, Drew, back to what I was saying. You need to call her bluff. Be friends and then, when the time is right, make her jealous. Go out with someone and make sure Jillian sees you with her. If anything, seeing the man you care about with someone else always sparks a little bit of jealousy. Maybe then, she’ll realize what she let go.”