I saw William nod. Obviously I didn’t need to be his best friend to understand that someone like James Hunter didn’t give a damn about me once Brian was out of the equation.
“I realized how much I didn’t really love him just by breaking up with him. I’m talking about Brian. It didn’t make sense to keep it going despite the fact that we grew up together.”
“Maybe starting over is the best thing you can do.” Will shrugged.
Sure, but it wasn’t easy for a girl who’d never been alone.
“How about you? Rough night, huh?” I changed the subject, pointing at the room on the other side.
“James makes me lose control.”
William’s endearing honesty made me smile.
“I saw.”
“I care about him, but I never understand what kind of intentions he has.”
“Tell me about it, Will. I thought we had something.”
I saw William frown incredulously.
“Special? With James? No offense, Ari, but . . .”
“I know, I got my hopes up. He told me word for word that he didn’t give a shit about me. But then with what happened—”
“It’s not your fault, he does that with all the girls. I don’t think he’ll ever get attached to anyone.”
“Definitely not as attached as he is to you and Jackson,” I specified coldly.
“He’s awful boyfriend material, but I couldn’t ask for a better best friend.”
But his expression soon darkened.
“He loves you like a brother, Will, what are you worried about?”
I sensed his hesitation.
“I don’t know. Since June got here—”
“Will, James would never betray you. He has his faults, but he’s loyal. All of us know that,” I reassured him.
William stopped fidgeting with the feathers on a scarf that hung from a coat hanger and furtively inspected me.
“And how do you know that?”
You know that I knew.“Maybe he never told you, but I kept an eye on him for two years before he took even one look at me.”
“Oh.”
Will massaged the nape of his neck in his usual awkward way.
“So he knew that you—”
But I didn’t have to say any more. He nodded, knowing perfectly well that I was talking about his feelings for me.
I wondered if Will knew that James expected him to forget me before he could even kiss me.
“But with June, I don’t know. He’s different.”
