“Word on the street is?—“
“Word on the street?” I chuckled. “Jesus, people have too much time on their hands if this is what makes the streets,” I teased, but Raven rolled her eyes.
“Anyhow, word on the street is that someone hasn’t called someone after taking them home after breakfast and then having their car brought to Pine and Grind for after her night shift so she could drive home.”
“Rave.”
“A car that was at your place before that.” Jesus, how did people get anything done having their nose up everyone else’s business?
“She was helping me build Santa’s workshop.”
“And now it’s all set up at the brewery, and people are dropping off toys,” she said, as if I didn’t know what was happening.
“Right.”
“So…” she pushed, playfully jabbing her elbow into my side. “What’s up?” she kept pushing. “Why haven’t you called her?”
“What makes you think I haven’t?” I asked. I hadn’t. Life had been crazier than ever the last two days. The longest two days of my life. Especially without laying eyes on my girl. Somehow, working side by side with her for a couple days had given me a glimpse of what life would be like with her, and I freaking missed it. A lot.
“Fine.” Rave shrugged, and I sighed.
“You know Austin had to leave,” I muttered. “And then Brett got sick, and I had to ask Connie from the diner to see if she could help. I had a couple people call off, so I had to fill in?—“
“And?” she cut me off, looking at me like everything I mentioned wasn’t a big deal.
“And…” I didn’t know what to say.
“Fine, don’t talk to me.” She started to stand. She might not have actually been pouting, but Raven always had a way of getting me to talk. I took her hand, and she sat back down with an all-too-sweet smile.
Damn it, I should have known she was bluffing.
“I like her. I more than like Candy, Raven,” I shared, and for a moment, I wished I had a camera. My sister was stunned at my confession.
“You’re… in love?” she whispered, and I knew by the tone that she was about two point five milliseconds from imploding.
“I am. I love her,” I admitted proudly. I loved Candace Kane more than I knew was possible.
“Oh my god!!!” she shrieked, like I knew she would, hugging me and laughing. I hugged her back. But when she pulled away, her smile slightly dimmed, and I felt like an asshole for it. “You’re torn about something. You look like this isn’t a good thing. Love is always a good thing.”
“It’s complicated,” I muttered, knowing just how stupid I sounded. Jesus, I was so annoyed with myself I wanted to kick my own ass.
“Love doesn’t have to be complicated.” She sounded way to wise for her age.
“She deserves more than seconds of conversation,” I blurted out. “I want to give her more time. All my time. When we went to the diner… fuck me, I thought that was it. Somehow, from right then and there, life would fucking take a break on me and finally let me have the time to give her.”
“Oh, Onyx.” Rave’s voice was soft. “That’s not how life works.” She took the words from my mouth.
“What?”
“Do you love her, really love her?”
“Yes.” I didn’t even have to think about the answer. I’d known that night four months ago.
“Then you need to get out of your own way, big brother.”
“Excuse me?”
“She’s not wrong.” My dad’s deep voice made both of us jump.
