Or worst of all — has he finally found someone to take care of and now he’s letting me down gently?
I know our friendship is unconventional. The closeness we share isn’t something you see most men doing. We’re practically stuck to the hip most weeks.
If he starts dating seriously, that person isn’t going to want me around. They’ll tell him I’m too much and demand our friendship take a break.
Bram will fight it at first. I know him. He won’t want to upset me.
But over time, things will change. He’ll sink deeper into the relationship, leaving me and our connection behind. I can see it as if it’s already happened.
“Edward?”
His voice pulls me away from my thoughts. I turn to look at him, then immediately drop my gaze to my hands. There are tears in my eyes from the hypothetical scenario I created in my head. I don’t want him to notice them.
Unfortunately for me, my bestie is the master of paying attention to things. He puts a finger under my chin, lifting me until our eyes lock.
“What’s wrong?” he asks softly.
I sniff. “Are you… are you breaking up with me?”
“What? Breaking up — what are you talking about?”
“Did you find someone? Did they tell you we can’t be friends anymore because they’re jealous? I knew it would happen one day. I just thought I had more time.” I shake my head as more tears trail down my cheeks.
He pulls me over into his lap. Strong arms band around me as my face presses to his chest.
“I’m not sure where you got such an insane idea, but that’s not what’s happening at all. There is no one else, Eddie. I promise.” I feel him press a kiss to the top of my head. “I work too much to date. And when I’m not at the office, I’m with you. Tell me you understand.”
I nod slowly against him as the reality of his words settles over me.
He’s not dating anyone.
We’re going to stay close like this.
If both of those are true, then why is he acting weird? Is it the sickness stuff instead? Could it be worse?
I whimper. “Are you sick? Will you die soon?”
Firm hands grip my shoulder and dip me back until I’m looking into deep brown eyes that are so dark they’re almost black. The intensity in them makes me shudder.
“I’m not going anywhere. This isn’t about my health or dating or anything like that. Let’s get some food in you, then we can chat more.”
I want to argue with him. To tell him I won’t move a muscle until he just spits out whatever is bothering him.
But then my stomach grumbles loud enough to have his eyes widening. I blush at the expression as I recall the conversation earlier.
He knows I haven’t been eating properly this week. With his schedule busier than normal and me trying to get a little ahead, there’s been no time to have anything more than the basics.
It would be fine if the basics weren’t burgers, fries, and nuggets.
Bram swears I’m shortening my lifespan by eating the ‘garbage’ foods. I remind him that not everyone has access to a private chef or the city’s finest restaurants on speed dial. My budget isn’t too tight, however, that is a level I’m nowhere near crossing.
“Ok,” I relent after a minute of holding the strange position.
He eases me back up to a sitting position, then turns me until my feet hang out the open door. I look up to see his driver smirking down at me. I roll my eyes at him before jumping out of the car.
“Good to see you too, Mr. Edward.”
“Same to you, Buster.”
