“Hey, it’s cool. I know what it’s like to have a crush on someone.” His eyes widen. “Oh my God. I need to stop drinking. And talking.”
I knew about Isaac’s crush on me. He and Jane were freshmen in high school, and I’d already graduated. He hadn’t hidden it well.
But that isn’t what’s caught my attention.
“I don’t have a crush on Aidyn Christy.”
He holds his hands up. “Got it. Not a crush.” His words and movements are exaggerated by alcohol. “You’ve been in love with the guy for like ever.”
“What? No— Keep your voice down.”
“Oh, sorry,” he says in a loud whisper and puts his finger in front of his lips. “Shh. It’s a secret.”
“No…” Is that worse? Or having him think it’s not a secret?
The song ends and the music stops. The quiet rings through the building. The microphone squawks, and the DJ—one of Zye’s friends—taps on it. “Excuse me. If anyone has any requests, let me know.”
Isaac’s eyes shine with excitement. “You should?—”
I put my hand over his mouth before he can whisper the words. It’s not easy to drag him outside, but I somehow manage it.
The night air clings to me, but it’s better than Isaac trying to be quiet and announcing my secrets to the entire town.
“I appreciate your help. I do. But nothing is happening between Christy and me.”
Isaac scrunches his face and slaps my chest. “Duh. Christy is straight.”
Part of me wants to tell Isaac he’s wrong. Tell the town they’re wrong.Oh God.Does everyone in town think I have a crush on Aidyn? I can’t think about that right now.
“But, dude, he’s still your friend.” He pokes my chest with his finger. “Don’t deny it. I saw the two of you earlier. And that’s not as good as him being in love with you because…you know…sex.” He whispers the last word, even though we’re the only ones out here, and giggles like a teenager. Although I’ve never heard Isaac giggle, even as a teen. He laughs so hard he almost falls down.
I grab his arms. “Steady now.”
I shake my head, but I can’t help grinning. How could anyone not smile at a drunk and giggling Isaac? The man is usually so serious. Nerdy—he has an autographed picture of Leonard Nimoy on his wall—but focused on the future. On getting everything right. The man deserves to let loose now and then. He’ll probably be twice as serious once his son is born.
“I’m steading—standing.” He waves his hand. “Whatever. Want to know a secret? But don’t tell Jane.”
Do I? Not really. If he remembers any of this tomorrow, he’ll be too embarrassed to ever talk to me again. But hopefully he won’t remember any of it. “No secrets tonight, Isaac. Tell me tomorrow.”
“I’ll chicken out tomorrow.”
I laugh. “Then you definitely shouldn’t tell me.”
“I’m…” He leans in closer, and I can smell rum on his breath. No wonder he’s drunk. “I’m going to be a father.”
A laugh bursts out of me. If you didn’t know, one look at the bride would tell you. “Bud, that’s not a secret.”
“I know. I’m going to have a son. A son.” He waves his hands in a what-now gesture.
“That’s not a secret either.” I should stop him before he says something he’ll regret. But this is more fun than wallowing in misery over Aidyn.
He scrunches his face, one hand on his head as he thinks. “It’s not?” Then his face clears, and he holds up a finger. “His name is…Simon.” His smile widens and happiness pours off him. He’s going to make a great dad.
But the baby’s namewasa secret.
“I don’t think Jane?—”
He grabs my arms. “Don’t tell her I told you. Okay?”
