Gabe stared at me, eyes wide, before he blushed. “I don’t want him hurting you.”
“I understand your intentions, bro, but leave him alone. I can take care of myself.”
“He bothering you, Sunshine?” Big Ben asked, nursing a large glass of Guinness.
I shook my head. “Just my brother.”
“Ah, carry on. Let me know if he needs thrown out.”
I winked at him, Gabe watching the exchange with fear and amusement. “They take care of me here. It’s… a second home. You had hockey as your family at school. I have Daniella, obviously, and you’re around. But this place feels like home.”
Gabe’s shoulders slowly relaxed as he stared at me. “You might be right.”
“I am.”
“I like this version of you. It’s… different, but you’re braver. Growing into yourself.” He smiled big now. “Never would’ve thought Elle back home would befriend guys at a bar. Not my sweet dorky writing sister.”
“Surprises come in many forms.” My gaze briefly moved to Cal before returning to Gabe. “I love you and am so glad you’re my brother, but you got to experience college without family. That meant making mistakes and learning and being dumb. I want that too.”
“I understand.” He patted my hand, pulling me across the bar into a hug. “I’m proud of you, and I’ll work on not being an asshole.”
“You’re not an asshole per se, just extra annoying.”
“I’ll work on that too.” He released me and frowned at the bruise on my arm. “This from Friday?”
“Yup. Cal punched the guy right in the face, so don’t worry.”
“Good for him.” He glanced back at him again. “I’ll see you later, alright? Dani’s gonna freak when she hears about it, so maybe tell her before she reads about it online?”
I winced. “Fair point. I should’ve told you both. Next time.”
Gabe did not like my joke, but I laughed.
“You’re fucking irritating. I’m leaving.”
“Byeee!” I waved and couldn’t stop smiling. I was lucky to have Gabe as a brother. I loved him, and most of the time, we got along well. I considered him one of my closest friends. But this was an adjustment, and I couldn’t take another person in my life wanting to decide things for me. Or thinking I made poor choices just becausetheywouldn’t choose the same ones.
“Elle, hey.” Cal appeared at the end of the bar, his tone gentle. He leaned onto his forearms, a distant look in his eyes. “I brought snacks if you need them.”
He set a bag down.
Still bringing me food.Where they out of guilt? A truce snack? My entire body hummed from him being near me, like it knew he was my person.
But he wasn’t. Not really.
I couldn’t meet his eyes. Not without my face giving away how much I cared for him. The urge to throw my arms around him and not let go dominated my mind. I needed to act chill, cool, unhurt so he didn’t feel guilty. My plan sucked though.
“I’m good, but thanks.” I flashed a smile, hoping it worked, and washed glasses that I was pretty sure were already clean. He stepped closer, his cologne and laundry smell almost too much.Scrub, rinse repeat.I focused on the glasses.
Friends. He can sleep with who he wants. I love him, but he doesn’t want that.
A light touch came to my lower back. “It’s been hours since lunch. You’re probably starving. Are you sure?”
“I’ll eat later, Cal.” Shit. My voice came out sharper than I intended.
“Okay.” He let go and stepped back, lingering a beat before leaving the bar.Phew.I came out all right in that exchange. Gave nothing away. My pulse skyrocketed, but I hid my neck from view. Only two hours left until closing time.
It went by slower than I liked. The Sunday crowd was steady but never enough to keep me busy every minute, which meant more time to think about Cal. It was clear we needed to talk. If anything, I wanted to ask about his parents. Him sharing how they died last night, then the tattoos…we could discuss as friends. I’d make it clear that was what we were. After I finished my side work for the night, I quickly darted off to the restroom and shut the door. The mirror was foggy, and the bathroom smelled, but I took a second to breathe.
