Page 19 of Make My Heart Malt

“Either way, it doesn't matter.” My shoulders sag. I wave my hand between us. “We were friends. Best friends. And you stopped caring.”

He takes a step closer. “What don’t you understand? You were dating my brother. I couldn’t stand to see you. Be near you.”

His words are like a sucker punch to the gut. For so long, we were best friends, and he had no qualms about throwing me out like day-old trash. My back goes rigid, and I square my shoulders. “You said your piece. Once we’re out of the storage room, we never have to speak to each other. Again.”

“Fuck. Dessa.” His face falls, and he rubs the back of his neck. “It was my only choice.”

“You act like it was a prison sentence.” I roll my eyes, my hands shaking as I spin around so my back is to him.

“No, it wasn’t.” With his hand on my bicep, he spins me around. “It was worse.” His tone is somber.

I yank my arm away from him.

“You don’t get it.” His gaze drops to the floor, and the harsh lines on his forehead soften. “That was supposed to be our night. It was me you were supposed to be with. Not Tony.”

“What the hell are you talking about? What night?”

“At Jacobson’s lake party after our junior year.”

Recognition hits me about the night he’s talking about.

Garrett rises from his camp chair next to the fire pit and stares down at me. “I’m going to take a walk to the lake. Want to join?”

“Oh. Sure.” I stand.

Tony lifts his head and peers at us. “Are you sure you want to go down there? There could be bears or something in the woods. Plus, we’re about to light the fireworks.”

“Bears? Really? I’m sure they’re more afraid of us than we are of them. Plus, I’ll protect her.” Garrett throws his arm over my shoulder, tugging me to his chest.

I wrap an arm around his waist to keep steady and laugh. “Likethat time I had to kill the spider that you claim was ready to make you its next meal.”

“That thing was huge, and it cornered me. It was ready to strike at any moment.”

A burst of laughter escapes my lips as I playfully roll my eyes. “Okay. If you say so.” Then I glance at Tony. “We’ll be back in a few.”

“Feel free to start the fireworks without us,” Garrett says over his shoulder.

Once on the dock, I lean back on my hands, mimicking his pose. Our feet dangle over the edge as the moonlight dances over the ripples in the lake. For a brief moment, our pinkies graze. With the single touch, a delightful surge of electricity dances through my body. I spare a glance at Garrett from the corner of my eyes as he stares off into the distance. All I want to do is reach over and intertwine our fingers. Instead, I inch closer to him on the dock, but he doesn’t do anything. He’s as still as a statue. Distant chatter and laughter echoes across the lake as everyone else gathers around the fire pit. His gaze flits to mine and god, I wish I could read his mind. The moment our eyes lock, his gaze darts away and his body tenses.

“I can’t believe this time next year we’ll be the ones graduating from high school.” He breaks the silence.

“Have you decided what you’re going to do?” I ask.

His head falls back as he peers at the dark sky. “I have a baseball scholarship to Florida State, but Coach thinks I should go into the draft. He believes my skills are good enough.”

All I can do is nod. Florida is so far away, but baseball is his dream. It always has been. “I’ll have to come visit.”

“You better.” He winks.

“It’s so quiet and peaceful here. I needed a break from all the noise. Thanks for inviting me.”

“Of course. I know you always enjoy sitting by the lake. Plus, I wouldn’t want you wandering down here by yourself in the dark. I’d be a little sad if you got lost or eaten by a bear.” He smirks.

“Only a little sad?” I laugh.

“Maybe a smidge more than a little.” He holds his thumb and pointer finger together.

“Are there actually bears around here?”

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