My stomach tightens, the way it always does with Kevin.
He folds his hands on the counter as if we were about to discuss world hunger.
“I think we need to talk about where we stand.”
I set my mug down. “Okay.”
“Because I feel like we’ve been going in circles.” He looks serious. “And I think some of that is my fault for not being clear and fumbling the ball a little.” He turns toward me slightly. “Falon Williams, I want to take you out on a date and date you.”
My heart tightens. He means it. Kevin is a bit of a hot head, but when I stopped answering his call, I thought he got it. He didn’t.
“Kevin.” I keep my tone even. “I appreciate you being straight with me. But we’re just not the same people.”
His eye twitches, and he sets his jaw. “What does that mean?”
“It means,” I pick up my mug, “I’m not really sure we’re even compatible, like in a relationship. Now, Evy, she likes you. I see you together every now and then.”
His silence is tense.
“Is this about Bo Gates?” His tone is strained.
I set the mug down. “Now, Kevin?—”
“Don’t.” The word comes out clipped. “Don’t try to backpedal. I’m not interested in Evy. I’m not interested in Molly, or anyone else.” His voice is low, but holds an edge. “Men like Bo Gates don’t stay, Falon. That’s not who they are. They breeze into town, they make you feel like something, and then they go. And when he does, and he will,” he leans in, “don’t expect me to be waiting.”
I take a breath before I punch him and turn on the stool to face him fully.
“You want to know the truth, Kevin?” My voice feels tight. “It was always Bo. From the beginning, before he evercame back, before any of this, it was always him.” I hold his gaze. “It was never you, Kevin. Not once. Not in high school, not when you were in football, not now.”
His face turns red in embarrassment, and he tries to discreetly look around to see if anyone overheard.
He stands up from the stool, straightens his collar and takes two steps toward the door.
Then he turns back at me: “When he leaves, and he will, don’t come crawling back.”
The bell above the door dings.
He is gone, and my heart is pounding in my ears. I hate confrontations.
Lila pretends to wipe down the counter near the far end, which meant she’d heard it. Mae had become very interested in her toast, so I know she heard.
I exhale.
“Well,” Lila says. “That was bold.”
I look up as Bo slides into the seat Kevin vacated and rests his elbows on the counter.
“I thought you went for a run?” I ask.
“I did. Was just having coffee with Jake in the booth in the back.” He tilts his head toward the far corner.
“You heard that.”
“I think everyone did.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Didn’t need to. You had it.”
