Admittedly, Hailey’s a sweetheart. Whenever she’s around, Pecan’s always happy, even if she has so many jobs to make ends meet that I’ve barely gotten to know her.
When he semi-moved out of our place and into hers, I wasn’t all thatsurprised. Not just because I thought he’d caught feelings but Pecan’s a gent—if he lived there, he’d help with bills, which would give Hailey, who I know’s a scholarship student, a lot of relief.A fact he confirmed at Friendsgiving.
Because he’s miserable, I tug him in for a hug. That he squeezes me is another massive shift in Pecan’s usual MO.
He’s the kinda guy who slaps you on the back—me included. Despite the fact it usually launches me across the room.
For him to accept a full-on hug, things are worse than I thought.
“Can I help?”
“I don’t know,” he mutters, and I can feel the tears on his cheeks trickling down my neck.
“That’s it. I’m cutting you off,” I reply in his ear as I hug him tighter. “You’re coming home tonight, right?”
“I was going to stay here.”
I slap him on the shoulder, hard enough for him tooooof. “Don’t be an idiot. You think fucking another woman will get you back in Hailey’s good graces?”
“What do you mean good graces? I didn’t do anything wrong!”
“Well, clearly, she doesn’t agree.”
“She said we were too different.”
“And?”
“There a reason you’re snotting all over my girlfriend?”
I roll my eyes at Zach’s possessiveness, but Pecan just mumbles, “Been friends with her as long as you have, fuckface. So get lost.”
Zach winks at me to let me know he’s only messing.
Seriously, with how the last few days have gone, I wouldn’t be surprised if hewasjealous.
“What’s going on?”
“Hailey broke up with him.”
“Stomped on my heart—that’s what she did.Broke up with me. Ha. If only it had been that simple.” Pecan squints at me. “You have a paper napkin, D?”
“Do I look like I’m carrying napkins, Pecan?” I grouse in exasperation, stacking my hands on my hips.
He studies me, then his brows lift and he flicks a look at Zach. Something passes between them, some form of communication, then he shakes his head. “You’re kinda cute together. All coordinated and shit.”
I roll my eyes. “What can we do aside from not letting Darcy get her claws into you? Honestly, Pecan, what were you thinking?”
“That you get over one by getting under another,” Zach inserts wryly.
I sniff at him. “If we ever break up and you do that, there’s no second chance.”
“Well, I’m never letting you go,” is his smooth rejoinder. “So there’s no worrying about that.”
Pecan huffs.
Zach claps him on the shoulder. “Come on, dipshit. We’ll go to Dopie’s and get you something to soak up the 40 of alcohol you drank. My treat.”
He grimaces but his gaze is hopeful. “Pecan pancakes?”
