Jayce finally noticed the time on the car radio. “Shoot. Grandma’s going to kill us.”
“Speak for yourself. She likes me,” Christian said, chuckling when Jayce pushed hard on the gas.
“Oh, man. I think I’m in love.” Jayce beamed.
“Seriously?” Christian looked at his best friend. This from the guy who had barely dated a few girls because he didn’t have time for the drama?
“Yeah, man. When I’m with her I just, I don’t know, I feel alive.”
Maizie made Christian feel the same way. But that had more to do with their distinct
hatred for each other.
“Do you think I’m crazy?” Jayce asked after a few minutes of silence.
“I. . . don’t know.”
“Well, did you love Caroline?” Jayce looked in his direction.
Christian hated the reminder.
“I thought I did. But you see how that turned out.” He stared out the window. He should have seen the signs of a bad relationship before she dumped him. Like how she only cared about herself. She would shower him with affection but only if he gave her everything she wanted. He wished he could go back and listen to Jayce’s warnings about her the first time. How stupid he had been to believe she had never cheated on him, even when his best friend had seen her with another guy.
“How did you know?”
Christian snapped back to the moment. “How did I know I didn’t love her?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Because she never once put me first.” Saying it out loud finally clicked the last puzzle piece into place. She had been needy, always needy. Even though his dad had passed away, she’d needed him for everything, and he apparently hadn’t been in the head space to see how much she took from him without giving back. And only now did he realize just how much he needed in return.
“Lindsay puts me first all the time,” Jayce said.
“Then I’m happy for you, man,” Christian said. At least someone was happy.
* * *
Maizie was exhausted.The fourth was the best day of the year but also the hottest. And she’d spent most of it wandering around looking for Jayce. He’d managed to avoid her all day, but now it was time for family dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s house; he couldn’t hide from her much longer.
She finally spotted him next to Hugh. “Jayce, can I talk to you? Please?”
“No, thanks.” He turned on his heel and headed outside the farmhouse.
She ran to catch up with him. “Come on. At least let me try to apologize.”
His eyes were cold as he turned to her. “Fine. Try.”
“I stuck my foot in my mouth. I know you really care about Lindsay, and I shouldn’t have brought up the past.”
He folded his arms. “Has it ever occurred to you that maybe I wasn’t the one who ended things badly with my past relationships here?”
“But Kourtney . . .” Kourtney had a temper and the habit of exaggerating and blowing things out of proportion. Maizie smacked her forehead. She’d believed all the things Kourtney had told her instead of just asking her cousin directly.
He nodded, his jaw tight and his gaze concentrated. “Granted, I wasn’t innocent, and my obsession with Lindsay was probably the main culprit, but I didn’t hurt them. I’m sorry they stopped speaking to you and that you lost friends because of me, but maybe they weren’t good friends anyway.”
Maizie grabbed his arm, and he softened. “You’re right. I should have listened to you. I’m a terrible cousin. I’m so sorry.”
He pinched his lips. “I know you love Lindsay, but I promise I won’t hurt her. She’s my dream come true.”
