And back to my least favorite topic—me.
Sighing, I look away from him and pretend to be fascinated with the historic architecture of downtown. “Six months ago.”
He’s silent for so long that I turn to look at him. That must’ve been what he was waiting for because he smiles down at me and asks, “Why’d you choose Willow Bend? Not that it’s not a great city, but it’s kind of random. Not really the place that most people choose to move to.”
I huff a laugh. “I didn’t choose it. My best friends did when I wasn’t in any shape to choose where to live. All I knew was I needed out of my hometown, and I didn’t care where I ended up, as long as it was far away.”
Hal’s eyes fill with sadness before he seems to shake it off. “You get to see your best friends much?”
“Yep, Charlie and Coop moved down here with me. We all lived together for a bit before I moved out.”
Charlie and Coop’s parents weren’t thrilled that I moved out. Clara, Carson, Cameron, and Christopher Finch were more like parents to me than my own, and they saw me fall apart after everything happened. While they were worried about me being on my own, they respected my choice and never tried to force me to do something I didn’t want.
Unlike my own parents.
I make sure to check in with Clara weekly so the four of them don’t worry too much.
Hal lets out a deep growl. I whip around to look at him in shock, but he looks perfectly normal. He’s just eating his ice-cream cone and looking around us like nothing happened.
He waits a beat before he pins me with his strangely serious gaze. “So, Coop. You known him long?”
My lips tip up in a small smile thinking about the three of us. “Yep, since I was three years old and Charlie adopted me as her surrogate sister. Coop’s her older brother.”
Grinding his teeth, Hal blows out a slow breath, as though he’s trying to calm himself down. “You ever go out with him?”
I look up at him in shock before making a gagging sound. “Eww. Gross, no! He’s like my older brother. Why would you even say that?”
Not to mention the whole Wren and him thing. Even if I did have a crush on him, it’d never happen after everything. Luckily, I feel nothing toward Coop other than familial affection.
Hal chuckles at the horrified look on my face. “It’s a reasonable question, wild girl. I’m sure you’ve always had guys lining up around the block.”
Snorting while taking a bite of the ice cream, I cough as some of the sweet treat makes its way up my nose. My cheeks burn as I, once again, prove I’m anything but ladylike.
Maybe if you ever acted like a lady instead of a boy, a decent man like Hal would want you.
I grit my teeth as I shove her voice out of my head. I know I’m not good enough for anyone who doesn’t want to use me to be interested in me, but I don’t need to be reminded of it. Not now when my stupid little heart flutters every time Hal smiles or places his hand on my lower back.
Sighing, I brush a few strands of hair off my forehead. “Yeah, not quite, Hal. We’re not all heartbreakers like you and your friends.”
I can guarantee those five men have broken many, many hearts over the years. If I’m not careful, I’ll be one of them. With how fragile my heart is right now, I can’t afford to let that happen.
“Somehow, I don’t believe that.” Hal lets the subject go as he finishes his ice-cream cone. Pushing up his hoodie sleeves, he tucks his hands into his pockets. I can’t help but let my gaze rove over his swirling ink, wondering about the stories behind all of it.
Hal notices. “You like tattoos?”
On him? Absolutely.
But you’d be hard-pressed to find something I don’t like on him. That man could wear a burlap sack and still be one of the most attractive guys I’ve ever seen.
Realizing I’ve taken too long to respond, I rush to say, “Yeah. Depending on the tattoo, they can be cool.”
Hal’s eyes light up at my response. “You ever wanna get one? I promise they don’t hurt too much.”
I snort. “I already have one.”
Hal turns to me with wide eyes before he grins at me and waggles his eyebrows. “Oh, really? Where? Can I see? Lemme guess, your lower back? Oooh, maybe your inner thigh?”
I choke on a laugh. “No, Hal. It’s right here.” I place my hand over my heart, resting on the line-art tattoo. I got it the first weekend we moved here, part act of rebellion and part trying to find myself.
