I try to hold onto the patience I have dangling by a breaking thread. “They both play baseball—not hockey—you know that. And about two percent of most conversations centers around sports. It’s my brother and his best friend, this is important to me.” I chew my inner cheek, silently adding;they are important to me.
“Whatever.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket. “Apparently I have a meeting tonight now … ”
He’s lying, the hitch of his voice gives him away.
I slam my hands down on the bathroom vanity. “Yeah … well, you also have a girlfriend. Did you forget that?”
He lets out a breath and pulls me against his body in a robotic hug. “You’ve been so stressed out lately, are you okay? Do we need to get you into therapy? These outbursts are worse than the ones you had in college.”
Outbursts? Seriously? He’s turning this back on me?
Has he always been like this?
“Oh, fuck you!” I snap at him, pushing him away from me.
He gives me a victorious smile, like I fell into a trap he set. “See, you just proved my point. You’ve been swearinga lot, you really need to stop spending so much time with Selena. I think she’s a bad influence on you.”
“Fine, if you’re going to be a jerk, don’t come. Stay home, go work until midnight again. Do whatever you want!” I move away from him in frustration, clenching my teeth.
“Pumpkin, don’t be like this,” he says, trying to soften the blow. I immediately cringe and Paul tries to save face. “I was trying out a new nickname … sorry.”
Paul isn’t a nickname guy, he’s never once called me baby or babe. Suddenly calling me Pumpkin as a nickname after years of dating feels off.
What if that’s what he calls—no, don’t go there.
Don’t think about the perfume.
Why does everything feel so wrong these days?
I look at my watch, ignoring him.Ignoring the nagging feeling in my chest.
I don’t want to get into everything right before seeing my brother for the first time in months.
“Whatever, come to dinner or don’t. I’m leaving in five minutes regardless.”
Paul seems to be processing something in his brain for a moment before he says, “Of course I’m coming, Pumpkin!” He smiles. “It’ll catch on, don't worry!” He places a light kiss on my forehead, one that feels underwhelming.
Disingenuous.
Five: Noah
Guilty as Sin? - Taylor Swift
“Is Paul coming with her?” I ask Connor as I put my wallet into my pants pocket, trying to act casual despite the fact I’ll be seeing Audrey tonight for the first time in years.
“Apparently.” Connor sounds annoyed as he gels back his dark hair.
A part of me wants to pry, but I know that will be like opening Pandora's box. He’s been off since he called her the other day, and I know Connor likes to internalize—especially when it comes to Audrey.
We’ve always had that in common.
Audrey might be my best friend's little sister, but I don’t think she ever realized I considered her my best friend too.
She was never subtle about her crush, but I think I somehow managed to be.
I love Connor, but so many of my favorite memories include her. She always tagged along with us and tried to “show off” in front of us. It’s like she didn’t realize thatshe could show up in a paper bag, sit on a rock for twelve hours, and I still would’ve adored her.
Numerous people told me they thought the two of us would be a good fit, but I didn’t want to lose Audrey as a friend.
