MAY 6 YEARS AGO
Ididn’t mean to hurt Ash. I just don’t know what I’m doing. Shane’s my best friend. His sister should be off-limits. But I can’t stop thinking about her. She took up shop in my brain when she took up shop in the garage last summer. I’d made peace with keeping my distance until JT decided to play buddy-buddy with her last night.
I’m sitting on the couch when JT lets himself into my apartment without knocking. He acts like he lives here too. Although, he might as well. Shane’s never here anymore.
“Don’t you know how to knock?”
“I do.” He plops down beside me. “But what fun is that?”
I scoff.
“What’s up? And don’t blow smoke up my ass.”
With my gaze glued to my coffee table, I say, “I’m fine. Just don’t care for drama from little girls with crushes.”
His brows raise. “So that’s how you’re playing it? You’re gonna act like you didn’t drag her away like a caveman last night?”
I shrug.
“You can pretend there’s nothing going on if you want, but if thereis, you’re blowing it.”
“It was a mistake,” I mutter, peeling the label off a Mountain Dew bottle.
“Good. ‘Cause she’s leaving.”
My heart thunders against my chest that feels a lot like an elephant is sitting on it.
She’s leaving? Because of last night?
Good. We’ll both be better off.
It’s too complicated. She’s Shane’s little sister. My best friend. I can’t do that to him.
“Youknow you’ll be good to her,” JT adds, standing. “The next asshole might just hit it ’n’ quit it.”
He grins at my scowl but puts his hands in the air. “Just saying.”
The asshole doesn’t shut the door behind him, like he thinks I’m going to follow.
I’m not. She’s none of my business. She’s Shane’s business.
Heshould be the one making guys stay around.
But he’s never around…
And fuck JT, because I’m out the door before I can stop myself again.
Idon’t notice Gran sitting on her front porch swing until she speaks. “I assume you’re here for that granddaughter of mine?”
“Um, yeah. Is she here?”
“Packed all her shit last night. Says she’s going home.”She takes a drag, glaring at me. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
“Uh, yeah, I might.”
“Thought so. The only reason I’m not running you off right now is because I think deep down you’re a good man. I want you to earn a second chance. But that’s it. She’s been through enough, and she doesn’t need you adding to it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
