I nod. “Yeah.”
Dane looks at Dylan again. I turn around to look at Dylan, and he’s staring at Dane, so I quickly turn around to avoid his gaze.
Dane scoffs in a sarcastic, mocking way, probably because Dylan isn’t catching the hint. “I’m sorry about last night.”
I nod. “Okay.”
“My sister…” The muscle in his jaw ticks. “From the time I met you, she told me that you were off-limits. And I…” He glares at Dylan. “So… this one is Dylan?”
I turn around. Dylan is stone-faced. I nod, returning my gaze to Dane. “This is Dylan, yes.”
It’s awkward for a moment. Dane is inside my house. I’m standing in the doorway, and Dylan’s standing on my welcome mat.
Dane looks down at my body. “Are you wearing his clothes?”
I nod. “Yeah. Uh–– I showered at his place this morning.”
Dane says sarcastically, “So this is the best friend that Alix told me about.”
I nod. “Yeah, this time it’s actually him.”
“She’s insisting you’re only friends.”
I nod. “We are.”
Dane smiles when I hear footsteps.
I turn around and Dylan is walking down the stairs.
“Dylan?” I call out, looking over the railing. He ignores me and keeps walking to his truck. “Dylan!”
“I can’t do this right now, Ce.”
He gets in his truck and starts the engine. My heart races as Dylan rolls down his window. He’s on the phone right now, nodding.
“Where are you going?” I ask.
He ends the call and says, “I have somewhere I need to be.”
I stare at him, feeling my gut twist. That sounds like a lie. He can’t even meet my eyes right now. He starts reversing, and I feel like I could cry.
He drives off, and I’m left at the top of the stairs, staring at him. Watching him drive away makes tears stream down my face. The walls are caving in, and I’m not even inside a room.
“Does he usually spook that easily?” Dane asks from behind me.
“Why are you here, Dane?” I say, trying to hide my tears. I’m embarrassed to be crying over a boy who clearly doesn’t care about me.
“To ask you on a date,” Dane says.
I laugh, wiping my tears. “You can’t be serious, Dane. Look, I appreciate the gesture, and I can’t tell you how many years I wished you had said those exact words to me.” I close my eyesfor a moment. “But time has passed. I’m in college now. I’m not the same girl that I was in high school.”
He rolls his eyes. “So, you won’t even give me a chance?”
I shake my head, unable to look at his blue eyes any longer. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Dane.”
He nods, sucking in his cheeks. “Is it because of him?”
I shake my head. “It’s because of me. Dylan has nothing to do with this.”
