Page 53 of The Path To Us

I nod and he continues. “I had a long talk with your brother after you almost laid out Derek. He said you’d been an idiot for as long as he could remember, not seeing what was right in front of you. He told me then that he knew the only reason you and Addy hadn’t made it official was because of him. He hated it. Started bawling and shit. He was a mess, right there at the party. Had to get himself cleaned up to make himself presentable again. I felt awful for the poor kid, so distraught because his brother couldn’t pull his head out of his ass.”

My eyes widen and he busts out laughing, letting me know that he’s full of crap. I stop flipping the quarter and press a hand to my chest and blow out a breath. “You’re a jackass.”

“Wanted to make sure you were paying attention.” His tone changes to serious. “So maybe he didn’t cry but he did look upset by it. He would want you to be happy. Addy, too. And, if Addy’s happy, that helps Zoey to be happy.”

“What if she’s not in the same place I am?”

To that he laughs again, actually bends over and slaps his knee then grips my shoulder to maintain balance. “Oh, shit, man. That was a good one. I needed this laugh.”

“I’m serious!”

“I know you are,” he says, wiping away tears from his eyes. “That’s what makes it so damn funny.”

“Stop laughing at me!”

“Stop saying funny shit then,” he counters.

“Grant,” I growl.

He walks to his truck and leans against the driver’s door, crossing his arms. I stand in front of him and do the same.

“Addy and you belong together, Beau. It’s time you realized it.”

“That’s not the part I’m confused about.”

“It’s not inappropriate to be with her.”

I slide on my sunglasses and look across the street to her flower shop. “Isn’t it, though?”

“No. It isn’t. I can’t say anything to make you believe that, but listen to me when I say this, okay?”

“What is it?”

“Do you think, that when Chris was taking his last breath, his final thought was that he was glad he didn’t take the chance on being with Addy or having Zoey? Life is short, Beau. We know this. Stop letting your fears get in the way of going after what you really want.”

Before I can respond, he turns and gets into his pickup, starts it up, and backs into the street. I stare at the flower shop and bite my lip.

He’s right. As usual. I should learn from losing Chris that I can’t let life just pass me by. But how do I risk it? If it doesn’t work between us, I not only lose my best friend, I also lose the close relationship I have with my niece. Not that Addy wouldn’t let us be around each other, but I know it wouldn’t be the same. And what if what we have together only works because there isn’t the romance between us? What happens if I kiss her, like I almost did last night, and there’s no chemistry between us?

Why are you assuming it won’t work?

I don’t know why I’m sabotaging it before it even begins.

Actually, I do.

Because of how strong my feelings are for her. It’s not just a random hook-up or relationship. It’s Addy. There’s no room for me to mess this one up.

Even with all my doubts, deep down, I know that I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t try. She’s Addy. My Addy.

Only good because there isn’t romance? Nah, not the reason. Because I’m more romantic with Addy, even not being anything more than her friend, than I have ever been with anyone else. I think long and hard about the birthday gifts and cards I give her. I go to extra lengths to know everything about her, and not just the surface things like what’s her favorite color or food.

No chemistry between us? Impossible. When I came close to kissing her, the electricity that pulsed between us was undeniable. Addictive. Unforgettable.

I can only imagine what it will be like to actually kiss her.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and shoot her a text.

Me: What do you think about burgers tonight? I’ll grill.

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