Tapping my thumb on my jeans, I ask, “Why didn’t you tell me any of this?”
With a single shrug, he focuses back on the road. “Again, not my story to tell. I didn’t want her past to taint what would happen in her future.” He bunches his nose. “Don’t tell her I’m telling you this.”
“You’re not really telling me anything,” I point out.
He scowls as he comes to a stop at a red light then flicks his gaze to the rearview mirror where Avery follows close behind inher car. “Why are you so interested in this? You could just ask her yourself. She’s going to be hanging out a lot with us.”
I quickly turn my attention out the window. “No reason.”
He is silent for a few moments, and then his voice rumbles, “Absolutely not.”
“Huh?” I say, even though I know exactly what’s coming next. Dustin’s too smart for his own good. I should have known he’d make the connection.
“You’re not going to date my sister.” His voice is so firm that my stomach sinks.
Slowly, I turn back to face him. His face is set, and he spares me several glances as we hop onto the highway. “Who said I wanted to date her?”
“You’re completely interested. You never ask about stuff like this.”
I try to shrug indifferently, but I know I’ve failed when my voice cracks, “Just trying to get to know her.”
“Yeah, right. You’re getting the scope of things. You’re totally interested, and I’m telling you absolutely not.”
I flex my jaw, and anger starts to curl and lick at my gut. “Why the fuck not?”
“Dude, I just told you about her bad breakup. And I don’t want my friend and family life to mix. If things get messy, I’ll have to choose.” He shakes his head. “No. No dating my sister. Don’t even try it.”
Continuing to flex my jaw, I stare out the front window. Now what the hell am I going to do? He’s my best friend. And she’s the girl I can’t stop thinking about.
Can I ignore Dustin? Can I pursue Avery without him knowing and hope that he eventually comes around to the idea? Or do I walk away from Avery completely and try to stuff my attraction to her down so deep that I become someone I nolonger recognize? God, that sounds horrible. Why would I do that to myself?
No, I won’t do that. Not when Avery and I could maybe—possibly—be the best thing that’s ever happened to both of us. Just because I’m selective about the women in my life doesn’t mean I’m not a romantic.
Option one it is. I’ll pursue Avery without Dustin knowing, and when the time is right, if Avery and I actually become something, I’ll tell him.
Sure, he’ll be mad for a little while, but he’ll get over it.
CHAPTER 7
AVERY MOORE
The smellfrom the grill is amazing. It fills the entire backyard of my childhood home with a barbeque aroma that makes my stomach grumble with anticipation. My dad is making his famous BBQ ribs, a bit messy to eat but always worth it to scrape the sauce off your cheeks and lick them from your fingers.
He won an award for the BBQ sauce at our county fair when I was ten and has never let us forget about it. Every time he whips out the recipe, he reminds us of that fated day. And every time he reminds us, we all groan even though we’re as proud today as we were the day he got that trophy he displays above the fireplace mantel.
In lawn chairs, I sit next to my mom, a glass of tea in each of our hands as we watch the guys play football in the yard. My neighbors are over, a wonderful gay couple that we’ve grown close to over the years, making the football party five grown-ass men fighting over a ball.
My eyes can’t help but track Reid’s every freaking move. The grin hasn’t left his face since he got here, and what shocked me most is that my parents treated him like he was their own child. My father slapped his back, and my mother gave him a biggerhug than she gave me. She even pecked his cheeks, leaving a red mark from her lipstick. I stood there, dumbfounded.
How often did he come home with Dustin while I was away for two years? Even more so, why had my parents never mentioned his name when I would make my regular Sunday calls to catch up?
My mother reaches over and pats my hand that’s resting on the lawn chair’s armrest. She looks just like me, except for the graying blonde hair. I get my dark hair and bigger figure from my father. “Have I mentioned how happy I am that you’re back?”
I don’t tear my eyes away from whatever weird football game they’re playing as I answer her, “Only a million times.”
“Well, a million and one then. It’s been so dull here without my baby girl.”
Glancing over at her, I chuckle under my breath. “I’m not that thrilling.”
