“Oh, uh, six?”
“Perfect.” I kissed her slowly, my gut tightening with nervesabout later. After tonight, I wanted to be with her for real. No list, no summer, justus.“I’ll see you later?”
“Yes. Yes, you will. Just, thanks for everything Dean.” She threw her arms around me, the smell of sweat and lake water and the tent engulfing me. It just reminded me how amazing the entire time was, but her tone made it sound like a goodbye. I wouldn’t let that happen.
“Could you have Lo bring my phone out too?”
“Sure thing.” She scrunched her nose, lingering at the doorframe. It was like she didn’t want to leave this either.Good sign.“Okay, well, bye.”
I winked.
She shut the door, and it didn’t take long for Lo to come out with my phone. Her expression reminded me so much of our mom I laughed. “God, you look stubborn.”
“Well, I’m going to either be super right about everything or super pissed, so yeah, I basically am mom trying to raise you.” She crossed her arms and arched a brow. “So, which is it? I want to know if I’m going to be mad all night or smug.”
I snorted. “Probably smug.”
Her brow returned to a normal arch as she smiled. “Okay, great. Love to hear it. Please, tell me whatever it is you want, dear brother.”
“I want to be with Mack for real.”
“I fucking knew it, you idiot.” She punched my arm, three times. “I called it. I knew it. I saw it. I willed it. I win. I fucking win.”
“You are insane. Does Luca know this version of you?”
“Shut your mouth!” She pointed at me, hitting my chest this time. “I called it. Goddamn, okay, this is good. No wait. It’s bad. No, good. This is great.”
“I regret telling you this.” I crossed arms, amused as hell. “Do you need a minute to…I don’t know, get yourself together?”
“Oh my god, you’re the worst.” She shook her head, eyes closed, before she grinned wide. “You two are perfect for each other. She’s obviously in love with you, has been for years so this—”
“She’s in love with me?”
“Dean. Don’t…” She winced. “Yes, but I don’t want to ruin this between you. She’s always had a thing for you, and I always knew. Never thought anything would happen because she’s a relationship, loyal person where you’re… not? With friends and family, sure. But not relationships.”
“That’s changed, Lorelei.”
“I know. Iknow.I’m saying this poorly but… I’m happy for you. She’s the best and will bring your life so much joy. If you need my permission, you have it, but you can’t hurt her. That’s the line I’m drawing. You’re my twin, my brother, and my longest friend, but I will stab you if you make her cry.”
“You’ll never have to do that, okay? I lo—” I paused. If I were to say those words, if that was what I felt, Mack deserved to hear them first. “I want this with her. Not just the semester or year, like, long term. I want to travel to watch her play soccer.”
“Good. Because soccer is going to come first for her, like football for you.”
“We’ll figure it out, but I’m going to tell her tonight. I’m going to ask for this to be real, but I had to talk to you first.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sure, but let’s not pretend I didn’t know about this all fucking summer. I appreciate the gesture.”
“You are a spitfire pain in the ass.”
She wiggled her brows. “I’m aware.”
“Thanks, Lo. I love you, and I’m finally getting my head out of my ass.” I held a fist, and she hit it.
“Love you too. This makes me happy. Just think! We candouble date with Luca all the time now, oh my god. This is gonna—”
“I’m leaving. Don’t push it.” I laughed, powering on my phone as I jogged down the stairs. It vibrated consistently until I got to my car, notifications blowing up to the point my stomach soured.
What the fuck?
