Page 8 of Need You To Choose Me

“What was that about?” Becky glances at me as she grabs her own box.

“There was a leak in my bathroom, so I asked my landlord to give it a look, but he claims everything is in order. But for a few days I’ve been noticing little patches of water after I shower, and it’s not where the door is, but more to the side? I don’t know.”

“That is weird. Do you want me to see if Miguel or my brother can look into it?” she asks as we make our way into the house.

“No, it’s fine. He said he tightened the pipe, so I hope that will fix it.”

I knew they had their hands full, and I didn’t want to add my problems to theirs on top of everything.

“Are you sure? It’s no prob?—”

“What did I tell you about carrying those?” Miguel glares at Becky as he descends the stairs, his hands landing on the box in her arms. He tries to pull it out of her grasp, but she isn’t letting go.

“I can carry it just fine by myself,” she protests, puffing at a strand of hair that fell from the messy knot on top of her head.

“But why would you carry it when you have me to do it for you?” He flexes his arms pointedly. “I’m not working on those just to look pretty, Red.”

I move past them into the kitchen and exchange a look with Kate, who just shrugs, and continues putting away the dishes into their designated spot. Being childhood friends, I guess she was used to their antics by now.

“I thought you were working on those so your coach wouldn’t rip you a new one?” Becky quirks an eyebrow. “Besides, don’t you have to get your ass in the truck and go pick up that enormous couch you wanted?” She bats her eyelashes innocently as she pulls the box closer to her chest and carries it to the counter.

The frown between Miguel’s brows deepens as he watches her every move like a hawk.

The two of them used to be high school sweethearts, but they broke up in college, only to be reunited this past summer since Kate and Emmett, their mutual friends, were getting married, and they were supposed to be the maid of honor and the best man. Now, not even a year later, Becky and Miguel were back together, engaged and moving into their brand-new home they purchased a few weeks ago. Still, after all that time and everything they’ve been through, some things didn’t change.

Miguel turns to Kate and then me, pointing his finger at us. “Don’t let her carry any more heavy boxes.”

Becky rolls her eyes. “You’re insufferable, Fernandez.”

Miguel marches to Becky and grabs her face before plastering his mouth to hers. He devours her as if they’re all alone in the room. My cheeks heat from intruding on their moment, so I look away.

I was glad that my friend had finally found her happiness, but I couldn’t deny that a part of me felt jealous. Both Becky and Kate were loved and cherished by their partners, so why couldn’t I find somebody like that?

Do you really think somebody can love you, Savvy?

My throat tightens as it always does when those intrusive thoughts cross my mind. I press my hand against my rolling stomach, the bile rising up my throat. I’ve been feeling nauseated for days now and even threw up a few times.

Did I catch a bug?

It didn’t feel like a stomach bug, but I couldn’t exactly pinpoint what was wrong with me. Maybe it was the fact that the end of the school year was just around the corner, and things were more hectic than usual. Which I didn’t mind per se. Staying busy helped keep my mind on what needed to be done instead of everything that had happened in the last few months. Like the fact that Grams was gone, and she left me her house. A house I haven’t set one foot in since her funeral.

The image of Grams’ still body lying in her bed pops into my mind, and a cold sweat washes over me.

Don’t think about it, Sav.

Focus on here and now. On helping your friend move in so she can start her life with the man she loves.

“I’ll see you in a little bit,” I can hear Miguel whisper to Becky. His large palms are still cradling her cheeks, and I can’t help but remember another set of hands. Hands that were framing my face, roaming my body, and bringing me pleasure unlike anything I’d ever experienced before.

“Don’t lift heavy things,” Miguel repeats, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Seriously, Sav?I shake my head, pushing the memories ofthatnight to the back of my head.

Not giving her a chance for a swift comeback, Miguel leaves the room.

Becky’s teeth sink into her lower lip as she stares after him.

Kate nudges her with her hip as she opens one of the drawers and puts a couple of pots inside. “What’s up with him?”

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