“I… Hell. It’s your fault,” he snapped.
“Me?”
“Yeah. You made me think about how I acted with Mom’s boyfriends.”
“It’s not like she’s had a million of them. Six, no, seven, right? And of those, only three were long-term. That’s not counting her coffee dates. I’m mean real dating, like, a relationship that last more than a month.”
“How do you keep track?”
Auggie snorted. “I love how you pretend you don’t know about Mom’s social life.”
Sadly, she was right. He did know. He just didn’t like to think about it. “I’m uncomfortable with Mom dating. And you’re right. I didn’t like Jared, and I’m not keen on her with Top. And I actually like Top.”
“You didn’t like Noel, but you accepted him because he was a dick. You knew Mom would never stick with him. I know you because I’m the same way. I just realize and accept my shortcomings. You try to pretend they’re not there.” She softened her voice. “Xavier, you’ve dated a bunch of women over the years. But you always find a flaw with them. Why do you think that is?”
“Because I’m looking for Ms. Right.” It wasn’t wrong not to want to settle.
“Who you’ll never find. She will never exist for you because you’re afraid if you do find her, something will happen and she’ll leave. Then you’ll be as sad and freaked out as Mom was when Dad died.” She shrugged. “You should already know this.”
“What? That’s not true.”
She quirked a brow, just like he often did, and he stared at her, as if trying to see the truth in the mirror of his twin. “Look, I went to a lot of therapy while you were going to school to be a shrink.”
“Therapist.”
“Whatever. I know my issues. I love excitement and have a flair for—sure, fine, I’ll admit it—drama. But Iknowwhen I’mpicking a trainwreck of a guy. I’m not ready to settle down yet, so I go for flashy and fun. Or at least, I used to.”
He stared. “What? So what’s the deal with your new boyfriend? Is it really Benji?”
She blushed. “Shut up.”
“Ha! I knew it. You’re into the yeti.”
“Don’t call him that.”
“Hell. I never called him that. You did!”
“Well, it’s not like we’re actually dating or anything. Not really.”
“Is that who you were visiting the other day when you stopped by the complex but never stopped in to see me?”
“What?”
He gave her the eye. “Justine saw you. You talked to her, dumbass.”
“Hey, you said no more name calling.”
“As applied to me. Not you.”
“Say what you want, loser. But at least I’m giving the yeti a chance. You want to cut Justine off before she can be someone special. Because you stupidly think if you lose her now, you won’t be as hurt when you lose her later.”
He just stared at his sister, startled she sounded so intelligent about processing emotions.
“Hey, I keep telling you I’m more than a pretty face.”
“Huh.”
Hermione walked by, overheard, and laughed and laughed.
