“I won’t.”
“She just gets these ideas, and there’s nothing you can do but go along. You know?”
“I do.” She was like that growing up.
“But it’s like I was telling you—like with Christy.”
“Christy?” I’m not following. But I’m not sure he knows or remembers what he was talking about.
“Dude. I thought we were brothers. Brothers listen to each other.”
“I’m trying, but I’ve had a bit to drink, so tell me again, okay?”
He grins and shrugs. “When you love someone, none of that matters. You love them even if they want to watch rom-coms instead ofStar Trek. You’ll do anything just to spend time with them.”
I stare at the building like I can somehow see Aidyn through the brick walls. Is he inside being miserable? While I’m outside being miserable? God, I’m an idiot. I pull Isaac into a hug. Just a quick one. “Thanks, man.”
“That’s what brothers are for.” His grin falters for a second. “You do get it, right? Even if Aidyn wants to talk and bake stuff instead of sucking your?—”
I slap my hand over his mouth. “I get it. But no more talking about it, okay?” He nods, and I remove my hand. “Although I do have one question.” This is probably a mistake. “How did you know? I mean, about me liking Christy?”
He smiles. “Jane told me.”
My heart tries to jump out of my chest. There’s no way Jane noticed. I love my sister, but she’s a little self-focused. So I ask the next question. “Who told Jane?”
He shrugs as if it’s nothing. “Emily.”
By the timeI convince Isaac to go back inside and perhaps find his bride, the table Chisty was at is empty. What did I expect? That he’d be sitting there, staring into his drink and thinking about me? I wallow for another second or two and then shake out my hands. My focus was on finding Aidyn and accepting whatever time we had together. And that hasn’t changed.
The room thins out as people leave. A slow song plays, and couples are dancing. I check the dancefloor. Not likely. Maybe he’s getting a drink. But when I turn, I get an armful of Lanie.
“Bye, Uncle Garrett. I’m sad I won’t get to have breakfast with you.”
“You won’t?” My stomach drops. Is Aidyn that upset? Wait… “Are you and your dad leaving?”
She laughs and playfully smacks my arm. “No, silly. I’m staying the night with Zoey.”
“Oh. Right. Have fun.”
“I told Da it was okay if you wanted to sleep in my room.”
“Wait, what?—?”
“Don’t harass the man, Lanie.” As Aidyn comes up behind her, he stuffs his hands in his pockets and shrugs, a crooked smile on his mouth. “I canceled your hotel room, Garrett. It’s ridiculous for you to stay in a hotel when you could stay with family.”
“I…agree.”
“Oh, I think Zoey’s getting ready to leave. Bye, Uncle Garrett. Night, Da.” She hugs us both and runs off.
“I probably should have asked you first.”
I laugh. “You probably should have.” Emotion thickens my words. “It’s sweet.”
He scowls. “It’s practical.”
“Uh-huh.” I want to pull him into my arms. Kiss the blush on his cheeks.
“You can’t back out now,” he says in his usual gruff voice. “Lanie will hate me. But if you want to sleep in her room, that’s an option.” His guard is down. Exposing the vulnerability in his eyes. And the hope.
