Make things work? My heart sank like a rock. My stomach tightened, and I grew more and more uncomfortable. If things worked out for them, it meant Simon and I would never be more than friends. I wanted to be the bigger man and say I’d treasure our time together, but the hurt crept in. We ended before we could begin.
“Oh, that’s good.” I didn’t hide the callousness in my words.
“I think it’ll work out. Who knows, maybe Firefly is the new start we needed? Lucas is already doing better in school. He’s having a sleepover this weekend. I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”
I could only hide my emotions for so long. I needed a buffer before I said something stupid. “Lucas, I got something for you.”
He came speeding toward the counter. “What?” He almost vibrated as he bobbed back and forth, waiting for the reveal.
“I thought you might like this.”
I held up the rolled-up paper. Too slow for Lucas, I unrolled it, revealing the poster of Valiant. The smile spreading across his face was the pure glee I needed. He reminded me of myself at that age, and if he wanted to grow up to be a geek, he needed walls covered in posters.
“Signed by Valiant himself.”
I pointed to the signature. I didn’t explain that the actor who played Valiant in the movie had signed it. For him, it only mattered that it revolved around his favorite hero.
“Is that Chris Wilde?”
“Shh.” I held my finger up to my lips.
“I bet your walls could use some posters.” I let go of the bottom, and it rolled itself shut. “Can you keep it safe for me?”
He looked from me to his mother. “Can I?”
She raised an eyebrow at me, and I nodded in silentagreement. I handed him the poster. “Now, let’s see if we can find some new comics so you don’t drive your mom crazy.”
She mouthed a silent thank you.
It was the least I could do for sleeping with her husband.
WINGMEN FOR LIFE
“It can’t be that bad.”
“It’s bad.” I emphasizedhowbad.
She gave me a shove, pushing me through the park. Amanda wouldn’t let me mope around for another minute. She stated that even my blinking depressed her. If she had to hear another lengthy sigh, she’d slap me. It had been two days since Lucy graced my store.
“The way you describe her, she’s like a sex goddess.”
“Are we going for me? Or you?”
She jumped on my back, legs wrapped around my waist. “Can it be for both of us?” Pointing to the Bistro, she commanded me forward. “To victory!”
I needed new friends.
Simon and I had texted back and forth since dinner at Mom’s. It had been cordial, the type of texts friends sent to one another.
“Don’t get too much sun, Abraham!” Amanda shouted at the three men playing cards.
Normal friends, not likemyfriends. They teetered on the edge of crazy, and usually, I loved her and Jon’s over-the-top energy. Not even their non-stop memes had brightened my mood.
I realized how bad it had gotten when Mom mysteriously showed up. Amanda had called in the big guns. She hadn’t said a word about Simon or his mysterious guest, but she’d heard the rumors. I could see her expression as she came behind the counter and hugged me. I had people who cared, and that made me feel better for a period. Then I’d go back to the backroom to grab a box and swear I could smell his cologne.
As we reached the door to the Bistro, Amanda hopped off my back. “The codeword is honeysuckle.” At Spectrum, we always had a codeword. It meant we needed an immediate evacuation without question. Usually, it was for strange men dancing on top of Amanda. I hoped it didn’t come to that.
Amanda flung the door open and charged inside. I wanted her confidence. Walking into the lion’s den, my skin turned prickly, and I considered running away. Even a fraction and I wouldn’t be terrified; it’d be another round of having my heart trampled.
