Because he had a crush on Prue. Like a real one, not the “I want to fuck her once and be done with it” one.
That’s why he was so eager to push the guys away from her. That’s why he didn’t really defend himself when I went berserk on his ass, except promising he had no intention to hurt her and swearing they didn’t have sex.
Maybe that’s why he was avoiding me a little in our fourth year. Maybe he was feeling guilty about this. About having a crush on Prue. My sister.
“Holy fuck.”
Both Evie and Ikram suddenly stop bickering and turn their faces towards me. And I’m just an idiot. Ablindidiot. Because they’re right. There were signs, and it was obvious to the attentive eye.
He asked me if Prudence was coming when he showed me the house. He rushed to step in when she needed someone to pick her up. For a wholemonthhe’s played cab, not letting her take an Uber or a ride from someone else. He was upset to learn that she ended up dating Jerkwood when we both left college. He—
I could go on and on.Obvious. How am I so fucking blind? Are they together? Are they hiding it from me? Is—
“Relax. I can see smoke coming out of your ears,” Ikram says, leaning to talk in my ear. “They aren’t together, and she has no fucking clue. As clueless as you. Actually, I’d say even worse.’’ I turn my head to face him and our faces are just a few inches apart. His eyes widen and a slight blush creeps up his cheeks. “But he cares. Don’t go crazy on him. It already broke him to lose you 9 yearsago, even though he never acted on his feelings for her.”
I freeze, remembering our conversation the day he showed me the house. ‘It never mattered if I wanted her or not because I never would have acted on it.’ I let out a frustrated groan. He told me. I would have understood if I wasn’t so blind or dumb or deaf. Or all the above.
“I’m such a shitty friend,” I sigh. “For fuck’s sake, it was obvious! Are there shards in my fucking eyes that are making me blind? A whole ball of yarn in both my ears? Uuuugh.”
Ikram’s hand comes to rest on my shoulder while Evie leans forward to rub my knee gently.
“Now, what do you want to do? Are you going to talk to him, or…”
She pauses, waiting for me. What do I want to do? It changes things. Back then I thought he wanted to fuck her. I didn’t know how he felt. I still don’t, technically. I lift my gaze and see Prue, texting on her phone. Nate, watching her. He always looks at her, even if it’s just a glance. I never picked up on it before, but he always did.
And she’s clueless. And maybe he’s been toying with me, but I feel like deep down, maybe he’s testing the waters.
Maybe I should be the one to play with him now.
“I won’t,” I answer finally. “Not yet. He played with my head, and now it’s my turn to have a little fun too.”
“Oh, come on… Don’t be mean, don’t you think he’s been through enough?”
“He has,” I nod.
And now, it’s time I fix what I broke, and make sure Prue lives happily ever after at the same time. But I can still have a little fun doing that.
16
I WON’T BE AN UNCLE SOON?
Nuri: So, how was that first month?
Nuri: Did you help make an arrest?
Prudence: So far I’ve done 18 sketches
Prudence: 12 of themactually useful
Prudence: And I’d rather forget about the last one.
Nuri: Oh, was the witness one of those high people who are sure the person stealing their car had purple skin and green hair?
Prudence: I’m not sure she was on drugs.
Prudence: We know what type of shoes he was wearing, but not his actual hair color or style.
Nuri: Ah… One of those.
