“Jonesy, wait!” I heard Charlie call after me as I headed upstairs for my shoes.
My fire suit sat in a crumpled ball on the floor, along with my compression clothes. I was currently wearing a pair of Charlie’s swim trunks and shirt.
“I’ll get these back to you.”
“Are you breaking up with me?” he asked when I met his sad eyes. When I didn’t answer, he reached for my hand. “Jonesy, please, I’m sorry. I told you this was complicated. That it wouldn’t be easy.”
I dropped my gaze. “I have to go.”
I needed my friends. I needed to get away from Charlie and the thoughts of him with this Beverly girl. It made me sick to my stomach to think of having to watch him with her.
“Jones, please don’t leave me,” he whispered. “I know you’re upset, but I care for you. We can work this out.”
“I can’t do this right now, Charlie,” I told him and rushed from the room without looking back.
Chapter Fifteen
Jones
I stared up at the ceiling of Ollie’s bedroom as he combed his fingers through my hair. Travis was currently at work, so it was just us. I didn’t mind. I knew Ollie wouldn’t break my heart. He was my best friend, and after he listened to what I told him about Charlie, and I sobbed like a child, he simply held me until I stopped. Maybe I should try to date him instead. Only that would be awkward. I didn’t think of Ollie like that. He was more like a brother to me. I didn’t have feelings for him like I did for Charlie, and sure, Ollie was handsome, but he wasn’t who I truly wanted.
“I’m sorry, Jones,” Ollie murmured. “I know you really like him.” He continued to drag his fingers through my curls. “It’s hard not to. He’s nice. Cute. Funny.”
I turned to look up at him. “Ollie, can I ask you a question?”
“I’m bisexual, Jones, just don’t tell anyone.” He winked at me as a smile curled over his lips. “What? Don’t look so shocked. I kissed Noah Underwood once.”
I gasped. “You did? Why didn’t you tell me!?”
“Because he claimed it was an accident.” Ollie blushed, but I saw the hurt in his green eyes.
I blew a raspberry. “Did he trip and fall on your mouth or something? He’s a jerk, Ollie. You deserve someone who’s going to treat you like a king. You’re too nice for Noah.”
“I know.” He sighed softly. “I’m really sorry about Charlie. What if we ended up like two old dudes all alone, Jones? I mean, Travis is probably going to marry Maya, because she just won’t leave him alone, and she’s pretty enough. They would make some nice-looking kids. They’ll settle down, we’ll be the queer uncles. Hey, maybe we can get married.”
My stomach curled. “Ollie.” I didn’t want to hurt his feelings after what Charlie had told me. “That would be a little weird.”
“Yeah, you’re right, thatwouldbe weird.” He ducked his chin so I couldn’t see his face. “Forget I said that, all right?”
I smiled at him. “Said what?”
Ollie chuckled softly. “That’s why you’re my best friend, Jones.” He grinned at me as he continued to thread his fingers through my curls.
“Whoa, am I interrupting something?” Travis teased when he walked into the room.
I rolled my eyes. “No.” But I caught the blush that flamed Ollie’s cheeks and instantly missed his hand when he dropped it from my hair. “We’re just talking. Where’s Maya?”
“Oh, no you don’t. You’re not changing the subject.” Travis dropped onto the bed next to us, trying to wrap his brother in a headlock. “Why aren’t you with Charlie?” He wiggled his brows at me, but when I didn’t answer, he released Ollie to nudge my shoulder. “I thought everythingwas great between the two of you. He brought you flowers, Jones. That’s serious.”
I shrugged. “We had a fight.” I wasn’t about to tell him about Beverly or how Charlie was supposed to marry her. I knew Ollie might when I was gone, but I couldn’t bear the thought of talking about it again. It hurt too much.
“I’m sorry.” Travis sounded sincere. “We could go out. Hang at the arcade or something fun like that. Maybe have a bonfire on the beach tonight.”
I chewed on my lip as I thought about it. “That might be fun.”
“Or we could go see your boyfriend,” Ollie suggested, even though I knew that must be eating him up inside. I dragged my gaze up to his. “Just casually drop by his house and see if he wants to come with us.”
I felt a smile start to spread over my face. “No, I don’t think we should.” I sat up. I wanted to make Charlie suffer a little more, even though it was killing me. “You would do that for me, even though you think he’s being a bit of a jerk?”
