Page 29 of Spring Break with a Bass Player
“Well, shedidlearn that from you.” I laugh as he shakes his head.
“She kept forgetting her house key, and I didn’t want her to have to wait for someone to come let her in.”
His expression is wistful, staring out the window behind me like he’s lost in the memory.
“Why didn’t you just date her? I know you couldn’t before because of her age, but that stopped mattering the minute she turned eighteen. And really, three years is basically nothing anyway.”
“The timing just never worked and then it became this fun little game, us checking in and just flirting and being friends. But when she texted me in Charleston, all of that changed. I never had a plan for what would happen if we got here.”
“Never thought past hooking up? Thanks for that.”
“No,”—he shakes his head, his lips pressed into a hard line—“I panicked. And then it all spiraled. We had to wait so long and just… What if she doesn’t likeme,you know? What if it’s just the idea of me she’s been holding on to?” My eyebrows are somewhere in my hairline as he talks, desperation laced into every word.
“Dude.”
“I know, okay?” He grips his hair, frustration pouring off him in waves. “I’m trying to apologize, but she won’t let me anywhere near her. Pretty sure she blocked my number, and she’s acting like she’s fine and I’m fucking bleeding out over here.”
“Do youreallythink she’s fine or maybe she’s trying to put on a happy face for everyone even though she’s hurting too?”
I know he wants to argue, but he just slumps down onto the barstool and holds his head in his hands.
“I didn’t want to put you in the middle.”
“Real noble man, but I’ve been in the middle since before you could ever admit you liked her.”
“I can’t begin to tell you how unhelpful that is.”
“It’s not my fault you had sex with my sister without awhat comes nextplan.” Pausing, I add, “On the plus side, she hasn’t been seeing anyone since she got here as far as I can tell.”
“Bridge, I love you, man, but shut the fuck up.”
Chuckling, I slap him on the back. “She can’t stay mad forever.”
“Pretty sure she’ll still be pissed in our next life.”
“Well, at least you have something to look forward to then.”
Shaking his head on a humorless laugh, he stands. “I’m outta here before you try to impose any other wisdom on me.”
“Hey, I give good advice!” I yell after him, and this time I get a real laugh.
“Dude, don’t quit your day job.”
Guess there’s always room for improvement.
19
BRIDGER
“Bridge!” Lettie yells, as she flings open the front door. “Can you help me with the bags?”
Sighing, I set my coffee cup on the counter and silently curse my sister, becauseI’m just running out to grab a few thingsshouldn’t require multiple trips into the house.
Also, I’m still in a mood.
Even my parents aren’t picking up their phones.
Seriously, where is everyone?
