“Oh, we, uh—” I fidget in place as I rack my brain for an acceptable response. No way am I explaining to Julian’s mom that not only did we date twice, but I also rejected him twice before we became friends, crossed the line three times, andstillhave no idea what we are to each other because we haven’t had a chance to talk about what it all means yet. I meet Julian’s eyes over her shoulder, hoping mine signal a cry for help.
“She lives right upstairs,” he explains, and I would breathe a sigh of relief if her knowing eyes weren’t locked on me. “We bumped into each other a time or two before we decided to hang out more.”
“I see,” she says, eyes glittering like she doesn’t quite believe Julian’s explanation. “Well, we’ll get out of your hair. I just needed to be sure you were okay.”
“I’m fine, Mom,” he says as she cups his cheek, leaning into her touch. “Promise.”
“I’ll look after him,” I tell her. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t work too hard and gets some much needed rest.”
“Thank you, Leticia,” she says. “It was lovely meeting you.”
Once they’re gone, I let out a breath that deflates the tension in my shoulders. “Guess I should’ve given them a few more minutes. How awkward from a scale of one to ten was I?”
“A solid four, but I’m pretty sure they were too sickeningly in love to notice.” He fakes a gag. “I’m sorry you had to see them go full-on PDA on each other.”
“I thought we might have to leave the room when she brought up the white coat.”
He gags again, and I let out a belly laugh.
“It’s not hard on you to see your mom move on? I mean, I know you didn’t have the best relationship with your dad, but still.”
“No,” he says. “I’m happy for her, and it’s surprisingly not as weird as I thought it’d be.”
“That’s good,” I say. “Do you still talk to your dad?” I know it’s the wrong question to ask as soon as it’s out.
His jaw locks as he turns away from me.
“Sorry. Dumb question. We don’t have to talk about this.”
“Family is a tricky subject for both of us.” He smiles wryly. “Let’s not talk about my father right now.” He inches closer, brown eyes molten as his hands skate down my arms to squeeze my hands. “Let’s talk about last night.”
“Okay.” I nod, only because this conversation is long overdue.
“Last night was…”
“Oh, you wantmeto answer that?” I ask when he trails off. There are far too many ways to fill in the blank.Amazing. An absolute nightmare. Fucking incredible. Unbelievably stupid.“Unexpected.”
“That’s one word for it,” he agrees. “Any others come to mind?”
“Why did you hit my brother?”
His expression stills, but to his credit he doesn’t break eye contact.
“That’s so unlike you, Julian. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen you angry, let alone enough to hit someone. Why’d you do it?”
“It was stupid,” he says. “I already explained to Andrew—”
“That’s not what I asked.” I shake my head. “I know you guys are cool now, which we can talk about later. I’m asking why you did it.”
“I don’t know.” He gusts out a breath. “He’d been talking down to you all night, and you were just taking it. It drove me mad hearing him talk to you that way, Leti.”
“He’s Andrew.” I shrug. “We’ve been talking to each other that way our whole lives.”
“Not anymore.” He kisses the top of my head. “I’ll promise not to hit him again, but that doesn’t mean he’s off the hook.”
“You’re why he apologized to me,” I realize. “And the reason he told our parents what really happened, aren’t you?”
My chest aches the longer I look at him. The longer I try to convince myself I’m a fool for daring to hope I’m the one Andrew meant when he said Julian was in love with someone. But, my god.Love?I’m not ready for that. But I’m not ready for Julian to be in love with someone else either. What does that make me?
