The fact that he’s so nice about it makes it worse. “Because I’m messing everything up for the team?”
“What? No.” Anger flickers in his voice. “Because I don’t want you getting hurt.”
God. I’ll say this. Max always says the worst things at the worst moments. If he knew what Kellan and I were doing...
“Believe what you will,” he goes on, “but I care about you, Kellan. I know it’s sudden. It’s too soon. It’s crazy, right?” A disbelieving sound that may be a laugh. “But feelings don’t make sense. They don’t.”
Reaching for his other hand, I wrap my fingers around it and squeeze. No words. Just that. Touch. I’m starting to expect it from him. A dangerous thing. “You’re right. They don’t make sense. But I don’t want you worrying about me, Max. The game will turn out fine.” Because by then, Kellan will have returned from Mexico, and I’ll return to my life where I belong. But, God, is it wrong of me to want to make room for Max? Do I not deserve that because of what I’m doing?
We take a few minutes to peruse the menu. It’s traditional Italian. Max must have remembered when I told him how fettucine alfredo was my favorite food.
The server returns with our drinks and bread. We put in our orders—me fettucine alfredo, him lasagna—and spend the next ten minutes conversing quietly, our heads bent. It’s cozy in the booth, and with Max’s muscular arm around me, I feel cherished, at peace.
That’s when my phone starts buzzing. It sits on the table, face up. Max glances over, then pauses with a frown. “Why does your phone say Kellan?”
Oh, shit. I snatch the phone off the table and paste on my easiest smile. Nothing to see here. “Oh, just a guy from one of my classes. We’re working on a group project together.” The phone continues to ring, drawing the attention of those in the restaurant. “I have to take this. Do you mind?”
Max studies me with an unreadable expression. Can he tell I’m lying? The group project story is likely, and Kellan isn’t that uncommon of a name. Though, to be fair, I’ve never come across one other Kellan myself.
“Sure thing.” Yet skepticism tinges his voice as he slides out of the booth to let me out.
Before I slip away, he nabs my hand. “I’m really happy to be here with you, Kellan. I hope you know that.”
My heart sinks. I hate lying to him. “Me too.”
The bathroom is a single, family stall, which is nice since I won’t have to worry about anyone eavesdropping. As soon as I deadbolt the lock, I answer. “Kellan?”
“Hey. Just wanted to check up on you, see how everything’s going.”
Really? “It’s fine.” Unless fine is the equivalent to falling for a guy you’re betraying. “Is it important? I’m kind of busy right now.”
“Of course. Wouldn’t want to keep you from your video games.”
I bite the inside of my cheek in annoyance. He would assume that of me. Normally, he wouldn’t be wrong. “I’m not at home. I’m… on a date.” That’s what this is, isn’t it?
“A date?” He laughs. “You’re kidding, right?”
At my silence, he shuts up.
“Who?” he demands. “It’s not one of my teammates, is it?”
No way in hell am I answering that question. “What is so important that you need to call me for? Can’t you just wait until Friday?”
“Yeah. About that. There’s a possibility I might not be back in time for the game.”
“What?” The word is a horrified whisper. I almost never lose my level-headedness, but Kellan—shit. He knows me too well and he’s too good at being who he is, and he frequently grates on me. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“I wish I was, little brother, but there’s been a change in plans. There’s something I have to do. My flight gets in a few hours before, but if it’s delayed, there’s nothing I can do about that.”
I growl out, “What do you mean there’s something you have to do? What is thissomething? When are you coming back? I can’t keep pretending like this, Kellan.”
“Listen, I can’t talk right now. I just wanted to give you a heads up.”
He can’t talk? He’s the one who calledme. “Kellan—”
“Oh, and don’t tell Sebastian. He’ll kill me.”
He hangs up.
