Page 82 of Ozzie

He grunts.

“Did you act jealous?”

“No. I kept it all to myself.”

“Ah.”

He turns to me. “What does that mean?”

“Well, if I flirted with some guy and the man I wanted didn’t react, I’d be disappointed. I might think I didn’t have a chance with him, so I might as well go out with this guy.”

His face scrunches up in disgust. “Why the hell would you do that? Why not ask the guy you want out on a date?”

“Wait, you and Willow were friends, right?”

“Yeah, for several years.”

“And she was best friends with your sister. Your sister probably told her you were off limits, so she wasn’t going to make the first move. Plus, how awkward would it have been if she asked you out and you said no? And then you told Priscilla! Maybe she was worried she could lose that friendship.”

He blinks a few times. “Damn. In a crazy way, that does make sense.”

I grab a pillow and hug it. “She wanted to date you, didn’t she?”

“That’s what she told me today.” He stretches his legs out in front of him.

“And you wanted her.”

His head snaps back in my direction. “Why do you think that?”

I laugh. “Well, if you didn’t care, you wouldn’t be asking me all these questions. But I’ve always sensed there was a woman who got away that you pine for.”

He frowns. “Is this because I haven’t dated this year? I told you I didn’t find anyone interesting.”

“Whatever you say.” I feign great interest in my fingernails, hoping he bites.

“Jesus. Fine. I liked her, okay? Is that what you want to hear?”

I glance up, unable to contain my grin. “I knew it!”

He stands up and walks to the window. “But what good does that do me now? She lied to me. How can I ever really trust her?”

I stand and walk up beside him. “You two can start over, earn that trust. Don’t run from something that could be great because of one mistake.”

He grunts. “Where the hell is that pizza?”

My cousin doesn’t really like to discuss his feelings, so I change the subject.

“Does this mean you are okay with Ozzie and medating now?” I stare at him while he stands there, not saying a word.

He turns to me. “I’m still processing everything. While it sounds like the reason I’ve been holding on to all this time isn’t the truth after all, I’m still not comfortable with it. He’s over ten years older than you. And while you might not think it, that’s a lot. It really is at your age.”

I walk over to him and put my hand on his arm. “I really appreciate you looking out for me, but I am an adult and capable of making my own decisions.”

He opens his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.

“And mistakes. Maybe Ozzie and I will crash and burn. And if we do, we will deal with it. But honestly, Durango, I don’t think we will.”

His eyes meet mine, and they are full of concern. “But if you do, what happens to all of us? You are both my family. I don’t want to lose either of you.”

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