“Triplets, actually. Not humans, puppies. She has custody, but I have visitation rights.”
“I’m being serious, Breaker.” I push at his shoulder, causing him to laugh.
“Nah, it was just sex. Neither of us was looking for anything serious, plus there was no connection other than a carnal one.” He wiggles his eyebrows.
“Ew, don’t say carnal.” I fold my arms and sink into my seat while Breaker drives us toward downtown, where Brian made a reservation. “So you’re just out there dating, having a good time, and not telling me about it?”
“Why would I tell you? Just so you can push me and say ew?” he asks in a teasing tone.
“Well, yeah.”
He chuckles. “Thanks, but I think I’ll pass.”
“So tonight, are you going to be all . . . touchy-feely and Date Breaker?”
“If you’re staring me down the whole time, then no. Not sure I can put on the moves when your judgmental glare is directed my way.”
“Judgmental? Nothing about me is judgmental.”
“Ha!” He guffaws. “Lia, you were judging Birdy earlier today when you saw that she likes romantic comedies.”
“Uh, you used to make fun of them until apparently recently, thanks to your sisters-in-law. The question really is, do I even know you at all, Breaker?”
“You tell me.” He grips the steering wheel so he’s only using one hand while the other falls to the armrest, and for a moment, I think about him driving Birdy around. Would he place his hand on her thigh? Would he lace their fingers together? Would he bring their connection to his lips and place a gentle kiss to her perfectly lotioned knuckles? I couldn’t imagine Breaker doing any of this, then again, it’s because I’ve never seen that side of him. Out of all the years we’ve known each other, I’ve never observed him with a woman. “Name my biggest fear.”
“We don’t need to do this,” I say on a sigh.
“Yes, we do.” He pokes my leg. “Come on, what’s my biggest fear? And you’re the only one who knows this.”
“House fire where you can’t get your signedLord of the Ringsmemorabilia out of the house fast enough, and you lose it.”
He winces and pats his heart. “Still gets me just thinking about it. My turn, you ask me a question about you.”
“Why are we doing this?”
“To prove to you that we know each other better than any other person and that will never change. So go ahead, ask me a question.”
“Fine. What is my least favorite childhood memory?”
“The day you got your period. You were at a friend’s house for a sleepover and got it in the middle of the night on the sleeping bag you borrowed from your friend. She made you feel bad because you stained it, and then you had to wait for your mom to pick you up. Courtney is a real bitch who I hope burns in hell.”
That makes me smile. “She didn’t have to torment me about the stain, that’s for sure.”
“Yeah, well, hopefully, karma has repaid her in the form of a corn on the bottom of her foot. That shit is painful.”
“One could only hope.”
“Okay, what is my least favorite childhood memory?” he asks.
That’s easy. I remember the day we talked about it. It was our senior year in college. We went to a frat party but ended up chatting on the porch the whole night. We both had a few drinks, but nothing that would impair our cognitive behavior. He leaned back on his hands and told me all about the day he lost his dad.
“When your dad passed away,” I answer softly. “And how you wish you told him you loved him more than you did. How you regret not saying that to him enough. I remember that like it was yesterday because I clung to that and always told my parents I loved them after that.”
He slowly nods. “And you’re the only person who knows that. I never told my brothers. I never told another soul. So I might not talk about the menial things like the girls I take out or hook up with because it has no value to our friendship. But the important things? Those are the things I tell you about, and that’s what should matter the most.”
“Why are you trying to make me emotional?”
“I’m not trying to make you emotional.” He reaches across the console and grabs my hand. “I’m just trying to tell you that no matter what happens, you will always know me best, and there’s a reason for that. You’re my best friend, Lia. Nothing can come between that. I won’t let it happen. Hence us driving downtown to go on a double date.”
