I notice Cash's face flash with annoyance as his eyes lock on our twined hands.
“It's just this girl I've been talking to,” Cash exhales heavily. “She lives in California. It's… not a big deal.”
Wilder squeezes my fingers lovingly. “If you have something to say, then get it off your chest, Cash. We're all adults here.”
He's defending my honor. Or trying to. I really wish he wouldn't.
Cash scoffs. “You are the farthest thing from an adult, Wild.”
“This conversation is going nowhere,” I interrupt. “Can we just go?”
Wilder nods. “Yeah.”
Cash goes to say something, but I shoot him a warning glare. There's unfinished business between us. Betweenallof us. Now is not the time to hash out the weird childhood best friendslove triangledrama I’ve found myself in.
“Ingrid,” Cash says quietly. “I'm… sorry.”
I shake my head. “It's fine.”
Wilder tugs me closer. He's trying to comfort me with his nearness, but I feel anything but comfortable right now.
When we reach Wilder's truck, he takes my bag from me saying quietly, “Ignore him.”
“I'm trying,” I lament.
“I'm sorry I invited him this afternoon,” Wilder mutters in my ear as Cash climbs into his truck. “I thought he'd behave.”
I shrug. “Maybe I should stay home next time. Give you two some bro time. Besides, being the third wheel in your friendship is awkward.”
Wilder frowns as his fingers find my waist. “You are not the third wheel, Ingrid. He is.”
“He hates me,” I remind him.
“He hates himself.”
“When did you stop feeling guilty?” I swallow hard. “About how our relationship started?”
Wilder places my bag carefully in the bed of his truck before saying, “I guess when I realized I make you happy and Cash never did—never could.”
“Wilder,” I whisper.
“We're happy, Ingrid. Don't let Cash ruin that.Please.”
It's not that simple.
Cash doesn't punish Wilder with underhanded remarks and sarcastic comments the way he's always punishing me. Cash let him off the hook a while ago.
Now, I’m bearing the guilt and the punishment of last summer. The summer we all made choices and decisions that forever altered our relationships.
Cash lays his hand on the horn, scaring the living daylights out of me.
“Hurry up!” he barks.
I lick my lips as Wilder presses his forehead to mine. “It's going to be okay, Blondie.”
Wilder holds the driver's side door open and I crawl inside. My elbow grazes Cash's as I put on my seatbelt, and he lets out an audible groan of disgust.
I ignore the sharp pang in my chest as I tuck my arms against my body.
