And that scares me more than my brother ever could.
Because I just got myself back.
And Weston … Weston wants love—he’s always wanted it. He’s been searching for it everywhere, with everyone.
“He’s just too desperate to be in love.”
My brother’s words land heavy in my chest. Not as a warning about Weston, but as a reminder.
A reminder that I just survived heartbreak.
A reminder that Weston is running toward something I’m still afraid of.
And I don’t trust myself not to get lost again if I let him.
“I’m really sorry, Brit.” He keeps his voice low, and I can see the guilt etched in his expression. “I didn’t realize that … I didn’t…”
“It’s okay.” I stop him from stumbling over his words. “It’s just … It’s just that I don’t really want to be in a relationship right now. And you know how my brother is…” I keep listing off the reasons, unable to stop myself. “And I know how badly you want to find someone—I know you want to be in love—but I don’t want to get hurt.”
Weston stares at me, his lips parting ever so slightly. “I don’t even know what to say to that.” His expression hardens. “But if you seriously think I just kissed you because I’m desperate, then I’m sorry you feel that way. That’s not how it is, not with you. You’re different. You’re—”
“Please,” I say, holding up a hand. “I’ve heard it all before, Weston. They’re just lines to get what you want.”
“Wow, okay. You know what?” He blows out a sharp breath. “I won’t bother you anymore. I’m sorry.” With that, he swipes uphis cake and slips past me like he’s on a mission. “Good night, Brittany.”
He lets the balcony door slam shut behind him, causing me to nearly jump right out of my high-top Converse. I squeeze my eyes shut, fighting back the tears.
“Happy birthday, Weston,” I whisper, my voice catching in my throat.
I stand there for a few more minutes, batting away rogue tears that think they have a place rolling down my cheeks. Only once they’ve stopped do I bend over to pick up my plate and fork I dropped mid make-out session.
“I was wondering where you went.” My dad’s voice cuts through my racing thoughts. “I was looking all over for you.”
I straighten up and turn to see my dad and Susie, standing like a cute little old couple on the balcony. “Oh, hey guys.” I force myself to sound bright. “I just stepped out to get some air. There’s a lot of people in there; it was a little too much for me.”
“And me.” Dad laughs, guiding Susie over by her hand. “It was good to be invited though.” He gives me a big grin, and I realize in the moment that it’s the happiest I’ve ever seen him. And the way Susie looks at him…
Yeah, that’s love.
“It was sure nice to meet you,” Susie tells me, the lines by her eyes crinkling with her upbeat expression. “You’re a sweetheart. I don’t know where you get that from, though.” Susie gives my dad a knowing, playful look, and I can’t help but laugh.
I’m truly happy for him, and I want it to work out.
“Are you guys about to head out?” I ask, setting the empty plate and fork down on the table.
“I think so,” Dad says, shrugging. “I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty glad the nineties are over. It wasn’t my favorite decade. The eighties were a lot better.”
“I agree,” Susie says with a dramatic nod of her head. “I wish I could go back and just camp out in that decade.”
“Then you could all go to drive-in movies to seeThe Breakfast Club,” I joke, trying to find humor despite my heart feeling like a ton of bricks. “That would be cool.”
“You know, they have a drive-in movie night back home,” Susie says, leaning against the railing beside me. “Maybe you could come to Florida again—to my side of the state—and we could go? It would be fun. I even have a truck to take us in. We can back it up and have a movie night in the bed. It’s a lot of fun; I take my grandkids all the time.”
Grandkids.I glance over at my dad. I wonder if he wants grandkids.
“Maybe I can make that happen sometime,” I tell her, smiling. “The Florida weather wasn’t bad. I don’t think I’d want to go there in the summertime, though. It would probably be too humid for me. I also heard the mosquitos are enormous.”
“All the bugs are bigger in Florida.” Susie cackles. “There’s plenty of snakes, too. It keeps things extra exciting. I like it.”
