“Do you remember when you came to look at that one school with me?” Dax asks. “The one I didn’t go to, but my parents couldn’t come with me because Duncan had something more important?”
The memory of that day is so vivid. Duncan has always come first with their parents, and I hate it. Dax has always been living in his older brother’s shadow—whether with his family or the NHL. It’s like he’s never been good enough.
“How could I forget?”
“You made us a road-trip playlist, bought us the worst kinds of snacks, and made it the best day. I still love peach rings because of that trip.”
“And we took the most ridiculous pictures around campus. I think they would have barred you from the school on that alone.”
Dax smiles at me. “That’s why I want to do this with you.”
This is why Dax has always been my best friend. With Duncan, I felt like I had to act a certain way. Tone my real self down for him. It’s not until I left him that I realized just how much I was doing to make him love me.
Dax? Dax loves me without question. In the best friendkind of way. We’ve always been our real selves with each other.
Singing bad songs at the top of our lungs. Rescuing each other when we need it. Helping with lists.
Dax might think I’m crazy for doing this, but he will be there right alongside me every step of the way.
That’s what I need in a partner—if I ever decide to leave the single life behind. Duncan has scarred me for life. How the hell am I ever going to trust another man, other than Dax?
“Okay, I need to get out before everything on me freezes off.”
“You’re such a baby.” I laugh.
“Well, I want to protect the important parts. Close your eyes while I get out.”
“Okay.”
I make a show of covering my eyes with my hand so I can’t see him. When the sloshing of water hits my ears followed by Dax cursing, I can’t help but peek between my fingers.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
Dax has one leg on the metal ladder, trying to climb it. With his bare ass on full display.
“Shit. I’m fine. Just slipped.”
“Do you need help?”
“No!” he shouts. “I mean, I’m good. Totally fine.”
“You sure?”
“Are you looking?” he fires back.
“No.” I smack my hand back over my eyes. Holy shit. How come I have never noticed how nice of an ass my best friend has?
There were times Duncan and I were broken up over some stupid fight. Dax was always there for me, but alwaysonly as my friend. I guess I never let myself notice him. Because wow.
You could bounce quarters off that ass.
“You better not be,” Dax calls out.
There’s no point in letting him know I’m looking. I’m his best friend. He doesn’t see me as anything other than that.
“No. I promise.”
“Good.”
