But how honest?
I sighed. Might as was well try. “I’m sorry for what I said.”
His gaze flicked to me, the game screen still reflected in his eyes. “Which part?”
“Mm, I guess I’m sorry for how I said it.” I still thought he and Janice weren’t suited for each other. “I could’ve been more considerate. As you may have guessed, I have a hard time managing relationship stress.”
“Even when it’s not your relationship?”
I shrugged, then buried my chin in the turkey breast, my heart spinning fast. This stuff affected our friendship. I couldn’t fully explain it. “I’m not an expert. My parents are psychologists, so I tend to overanalyze situations. It’s not an excuse, it’s just how my brain works.”
The keyboard clacked, and the fans slowed. He was shutting down.
I tightened my grip on the turkey. “I didn’t overreact with the guys in my robotics team, though.”
His chair squeaked as he turned toward me.
It wasn’t a fun story. I rubbed my face into the soft, cloth feathers, then stood, my gaze trained on the bird.
It was so innocent. It wouldn’t judge me for what happened. “They started with weird comments about my outfits. Then, they invaded my personal space, and finally, they cyber bullied me, making and sending obscene things constantly.”
“That’s sick,” he said.
“Yes.” I fluffed the fake feathers. “And when I blocked and reported them, they started making threats.”
“Holy shit.” He recoiled.
“That’s when I got a lawyer. We sued the shit out of them and the school for barely even giving them a slap on the wrist.”
“I hope you got a fuckin’ great settlement,” he said, pushing off the counter to stand. “Or some semblance of justice.”
“I did.” I stood straighter and adjusted my glasses. “My brother was my only support system. He’d walk me to every class, assist in my builds, and scare off anyone who dared to challenge us. I’m still adjusting to life without him. Well, less of him. Life after all that.”
He nodded, his brows furrowed in compassion. “That makes sense. Your brother is probably still getting used to life after all that too. Could be why he’s so protective about Kat. And you. Sometimes, we hold onto things, because we’ve known them for so long…” He let out a sad chuckle and braced himself on the counter.
Our faces were close like this. But it was comfortable, in a tingly, oh gosh, were we making up, kind of sense. I leaned in just a little bit until the brim of my hat accidentally brushed his forehead. “I’m still getting used to life with you, too,” I said.
He raised his eyebrows and backed up.
I flushed and tugged my hat. Not like he waswithme. We weren’t together.
“With other people in general,” I clarified, pushing up my glasses. “When you were talking about trust and happiness and what we were to each other, I may have short-circuited.”
“I’m sorry for bringing it up, I guess. It’s definitely a sensitive subject.” He rubbed his goatee, his fair lashes feathered over his cheeks.
I nodded, swallowing around a lump of anxiety. What the hell was happening? Were we friends again? My heart raced as I placed the True Tech bag on the counter. “Anyway, here is a present, something Janice privately assured me she had interest in.”
He slumped over. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“No, but it’s a gesture. Of friendship.”
That was what we both wanted.
“Thanks. I’ve got to get going or I’ll be late, especially if I need to get this wrapped.” He smiled, then peeked inside the bag and laughed. “I love the gesture, but she doesn’t have an ePhone 15.”
“What? Why would she ask for the case, then?”
“Maybe for the game? Catch you later, sweetheart.” He handed me the bag and squeezed my shoulder, then sped around to close the shop.
