I need to talk to Theo.
Who cares what time it is over there? Consider it payback for the time he woke me up on my only day off. It was six in the damn morning, and he had me worrying something was wrong with my sister. Now, there is, and it’s his fault.
After I explicitly told him to stay away. I trusted him. I vouched for him. I knew I could trust him to work with my sister, but I never would have trusted him with her heart. He knew that. That’s why he dropped it after I told him to stay away.
But he didn’t stay away, did he?
When he answers the phone, it sounds like he’s expecting my call. “Hey.” That’s all he says.
Fine. I don’t want to hear what he has to say, anyway.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I hiss.
Evie is a few rooms away. As much as I want to raise my voice, that’s another thing that won’t help. He deserves someone to chew him out, to yell and make a fuss, but I can’t be the one to do it without hurting my sister.
She’s already so damn hurt.
“I don’t know,” he says. “That’s a great question. I’ll let you know once I figure it out. Sound good?”
“No. That does not sound good. What you’re not going to do is roll over and act like you’re innocent in this. You don’t get to be sad.”
He groans. “What do you mean?”
“You broke my sister’s heart! Never mind that she’s way too young for you. You don’t even know the state she’s in right now.”
“I brokeherheart?”
“Yes! Why is that news to you?”
“Everett. She’s the one who broke up with me. She left me with a note—nothing but a damn note.”
“Oh.”
Shedidsay she was the one to leave, but I didn’t quite believe her. It would be just like my sweet baby sister to take the fall for some asshole.
That asshole is my best friend, in this case.
Evie didn’t give details, and I didn’t press, but in my mind… it was always him. Breakups are hell for both parties, I guess, but I’ve never been as upset as Evie is when I’m the one to do the dumping.
There must be more going on, but asking Theo about it doesn’t feel right. Evie will tell me more if she wants to.
“That doesn’t change things,” I say, putting my defenses right back up. Someone has to defend Evie, and it’s been me for as long as I can remember.
“I know. I still fucked up our friendship. I get it.”
“Yeah…” I squint at a wall. “You did. She has other things to focus on right now, all right? She got accepted to the California Culinary Arts Institute.”
“What?” He gasps. “That’s a damn good school.”
“I fucking know. Damn right, it’s a good school—and she’s going there. She doesn’t need any distractions. You know all about that, don’t you?”
For a moment, all I hear is the crashing waves.
“Everett. I know you won’t believe it, but I’m sorry for hurting her, and for keeping secrets from you.”
“You’re right. I don’t believe it.”
“You’re still an important friend to me, and she… well, I hope you’re celebrating her acceptance. This is huge. I didn’t even know she applied.”
