Sean gets this look in his eye and I point a finger at him. “Don’t interfere. Reed’s obviously not interested in keeping in contact with me, and that’s absolutely fine. I don’t need you getting involved on my behalf.”
He holds his hands up. “I wasn’t going to. I just...” He shrugs. “He’s not happy, and I think he could use a friend who isn’t also his ex-boyfriend.”
“I thought you two were past all that?”
“We are, but we still have that past. And he’s clearly not entirely comfortable talking to me about it.”
I look at him, incredulous. “And you think he would be with me? I hardly know him. And he must have other friends besides you,” I add before he has a chance to say anything.
“It’s complicated. He and Karl work together, so they share a lot of the same friends.”
I wince. “They’ve taken sides?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t think so, but it’s got to be awkward.”
“Yeah.” I trace the condensation on my glass, mulling over what he’s said.
When Sean nudges me with his foot, I glance up.
“You’re one of the best people I know, Jer.” His eyes tell me he means every word, that he’s being serious, so I listen instead of shrugging him off. “Reed needs someone in his corner. If it can’t be me, then maybe it could be you?”
“Don’t look at me like that.” Unlike Vic, I can say no to Sean, even when he flashes those big blue eyes at me. “Whether heneeds a friend or not, Reed’s an adult. If he’s not interested in staying in touch with me, I’m not about to force him.” And the radio silence speaks volumes.
“Yeah, I know.” He runs a hand through his hair. “And I agree, but Reed’s not like us.”
“What does that mean?”
“Well, if I had to guess, I’d put money on him not wanting to bother you. That’s why he’s not messaged you or anything.”
I snort, because that can’t be true. “I literally told him to keep in touch, that my door wasalwaysopen to him.”
“But that was after you’d been drinking all night. He probably thinks it was either a spur-of-the-moment thing or alcohol talking.”
“I wasn’tthatdrunk.”
“I know, but his confidence took a hell of a knock after Karl, and I don’t think he trusts his judgement much at the minute.” Sean taps his fingers on the edge of the bar before meeting my eyes. “I know how that feels.”
Fuck.
His smile is small, but genuine. “But I had you to help put me back together after my bad break-up. I’m not sure Reed has anyone in his corner. And I don’t want to force you into anything either, but you seem to like him, so I’m just asking if you’ll give it another try, and then I promise I’ll let it go.”
I hate to think ofanyonebeing in pain, but the thought of Reed hurting and having no one to lean on tugs at a place deep inside me I can’t ignore. A fact I’m pretty sure Sean knows.
I sigh, deep and heavy, and his eyes light up.
“You fucker,” I grumble, because even if his intentions are good, he’s still guilted me into this. “Fine. I’ll message him later.”
“Thank you.” He clutches my arm and gives it a squeeze.
“But...” It’s my turn to point a finger inhisface. “If he’s not interested in reconnecting, then you’ll drop it?”
“Promise.”
It’s not latewhen I get home—we only stayed for a couple of drinks. My phone is burning a hole in my pocket now that Sean’s put the idea in my head. I want to reach out to Reed to see if he’s okay.
Even if he brushes me off, I need to try.
But when I open the door, I’m greeted with happy woofs and pissed-off meows, so Reed will have to wait.
