“What if I can’t win her back at all?”
Something whacks me across the back of the head. It’s Jase, and when I whirl around, I can see his temper has finally snapped. “You’re being pathetic. If you truly feel that strongly about her, then do something about it. Don’t give up that easily.”
My shoulders slump. “She doesn’t know if she can trust me. What am I supposed to do with that?” If she’s done with me, I respect her decision, even if it’s killing me inside.
“You’ve got to fight for her,” he urges. “Show her what she’s worth to you.”
This time, I hear him. All Sydney has been asking for is a person who knows her worth and treats her like she’s precious. Maybe Jase and Devon are right. Maybe it’s not too late for me to prove to her that I can be that person.
“I’ll think on it,” I reply, nodding slowly. “Thanks for coming to get me.”
“Always,” Devon says. “Bring it in, guys.”
I protest as he and Jase descend on me in a three-way hug that pushes all my boundaries, but I just stand there and take it because these assholes are the closest thing I have to brothers, and I love them. Even if they drive me crazy sometimes.
Devon pulls back, his nose wrinkling. “Seriously, bro. Wash yourself. You need it.”
Yeah. Brotherly love. Rolling my eyes, I let the comment go and head for the bathroom. “Be out soon.”
20
Sydney
The Friday after the wedding—which, incidentally, is ten missed calls and twenty-seven unanswered texts later—I head to Jase’s place to visit Lena, who has more or less moved in with him. She still has her apartment, but I doubt she will for much longer. There’s no point in her paying rent when she’s at his enormous house every night anyway.
“Oh, honey,” she says when she opens the door, and then scoops me into a hug. “Has it been a tough week?”
“Only a lot.” Trying not to sniffle on her shoulder, I return her hug, squeezing tightly. I hope Jase knows how lucky he is to have Lena, because she’s incredible. She leads me inside, heading for the living room, where we plan to snuggle up and watch a movie.
“Tell me about it,” she prompts.
I shrug, not wanting to rehash my crappy week. “Gabe was Gabe. Mom sent me a diet plan and Cosmo’s top ten tips for meeting eligible men.”
“Ugh.” She pulls a face. “Rough. But you know, your mom might be onto something. Maybe we should reactivate your dating account.”
The words fall flat between us. I know she means well, but I’m not ready yet. Maybe in another few weeks. Or maybe Gabe Mendoza will always own a corner of my heart.
“Not this time,” I tell her. “I hope you found the scariest thriller you could. I’m in the mood for screaming.”
She laughs. “You’re in luck. I’ve got the latest Netflix slasher film lined up. I’ve heard terrible things.”
“What did I do to deserve you?” Flopping onto an oversized sofa, I wait while she heads to the kitchen. She returns a moment later holding two mugs, with a bag of potato chips tucked under her arm. She hands me one of the mugs, and I sniff its contents, then raise an eyebrow in surprise. “This is wine.”
“So it is.” She grins. “Figured a mug might be harder to spill than a glass. Plus it fits more.”
I raise it in a mock toast. “You thought of everything.”
She settles beside me and clinks my mug, then reaches over to start the movie.
We’re half an hour in when I hear cars in the driveway, and freeze.
“Are we expecting anyone?”
Cursing, Lena checks the time. “It’s probably the boys. They’d planned to watch some of Gabe’s opponent’s fights to prep, but Jase said they wouldn’t be here until later.”
Oh crap. Just what I don’t need. I can’t bear the thought of seeing Gabe’s stupidly gorgeous face when I’ve been successfully avoiding him. I haven’t even read any of his texts because I’m afraid I won’t be strong enough to stand my ground.
“Do you want to hide in one of the other rooms?” Lena asks, eyes wide, as the sound of footfalls and voices draws nearer.
