“You’re going to stand back while I talk to boys?”
“Yes.”
“You’re going to be cool if I get a boyfriend?”
“Yes.”
“And, what made you see the light suddenly?”
“You’re my best friend, and I don’t want to lose you. You’re too important to me.”
“You’re important to me, too.” She wraps her arms around my waist, and I squeeze her to my chest.
Too soon, she’s pulling away, and I know I’m fucked. Seeing her with anyone else is going to kill me.
She’s mine. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.
“Meet you at the swing set later?” She asks as she skipsaway.
“I’ll be there.”I’ll always be there.
* * *
Present…
“I knew you couldn’t leave well enough alone,” Lochlan calls to my back. He must’ve been waiting around the corner to catch me sneaking out.
“I’m not going to see her.”
“Liar.”
“What if she needs me?”
“Why the hell would she need you?”
“She could be drunk. Her stalker could be waiting for his opportunity.”
“Are you sure you aren’t the stalker?”
“Fuck off, Loch.” He chuckles to himself. “What if it was Jo?”
“Don’t bring her into this.”
Ever since he met Jo, he was a grizzly about her. He protected her before he was ever ready to admit how in love he was. Now they’re playing house, and I’m still the lone loser pining after the one that got away.
“If Jo had a stalker, you wouldn’t leave her alone for a second.”
He sighs. “I know, but this is different. Liv isn’t yours to protect.”
“She’ll always be mine to protect.”
He nods in understanding because he knows. Men like usdon’t let anything hurt the people we love.
“Jo already texted me. She said they’re all hanging out at Thea’s, drinking margaritas. She’s fine.”
“Great, then she won’t even know I’m there.” I ignore any of his objections as I get on my bike, twisting the throttle before the engine has a chance to warm up, pretending I can’t hear him.
I’ll pay for that later, but I don’t care.
