Page 164 of Almost Ours
“Just a beer,” I said, not really caring what kind. She nodded and disappeared, leaving me under the scrutiny of Shane and Kyle’s expectant stares.
Shane leaned back, his grin widening. “You look… different. What’s going on?”
“Jesus, Shane, let him get his drink first,” Kyle said.
I sighed, knowing there was no getting out of this conversation. “I spent some time with Connor today. Helped him with a school project.”
Shane raised his glass like he was making a toast. “Progress!”
“Don’t jinx it,” I muttered, though the faint smile on my lips betrayed me.
Kyle cocked an eyebrow. “Harper wasn’t there?”
“No, she had errands. She asked me to help, that’s all.”
Shane studied me for a beat, then leaned in like he was about to crack some life-altering wisdom. “And how’d that feel?”
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. “Connor was great. Harper…” I hesitated, the words sticking in my throat. “It was good to see her, but things are still… complicated.”
The waitress returned with my beer, sliding a basket of fries toward Kyle, who immediately grabbed a handful.
“Complicated,” Kyle echoed, shaking his head as he twirled a fry between his fingers. “That’s one way to put it.”
I shot him a look, already bracing for whatever was about to come out of his mouth.
“You know,” he started, leaning back in his chair and gesturing dramatically, “this whole mess could’ve been avoided if you’d just listened to me in the first place and told her about the accident. But no, you had to make me your dirty little secret.”
Shane choked on his beer, coughing as he laughed. “Hiswhat?”
Kyle grinned wickedly. “You heard me. Dirty. Little. Secret.” He pointed a fry at me for emphasis.
I groaned, dragging a hand over my face. “Jesus, Kyle.”
“Hey, don’t ‘Jesus’ me,” he shot back. “I told you to tell her. What’d I say? ‘Honesty is the best policy.’ But nooo, you had to be all mysterious and broody. How’s that working out for you, by the way?”
I leveled a glare at him. “Fantastic. Thanks for asking.”
Kyle just smirked, but his voice softened slightly. “Look, man, you know I’m just messing with you. Seriously though–you should’ve told her. Women aren’t mind readers, and secrets like that? They don’t stay buried forever. You’ve gotta own your shit.”
“Iknow,” I admitted, my jaw tightening. “You think I don’t regret it? I was just… scared. I didn’t want her to look at me differently.”
Kyle raised an eyebrow. “And how’s she looking at you now?”
That shut me up.
“Exactly,” he said, popping another fry into his mouth. “Learn from it, Ry. If you’re lucky, maybe she’ll give you another shot. And if she does? Don’t screw it up this time. And for the love of God, no more dirty secrets. I’m officially retired from that role.”
Shane chuckled, lifting his beer in a mock toast. “To retired secrets.”
I rolled my eyes, but a small smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. “You’re such an ass, Kyle.”
“Yeah, but I’m right,” he shot back with a grin. “Admit it.”
I didn’t say anything, just took another sip of my beer. Because annoyingly he was right.
More food arrived a few minutes later, and for a while, the conversation shifted to lighter topics–hockey, Kyle’s latest dating misadventures, and Shane’s newfound obsession with fishing.
Kyle wasn’t one to let things go for long, though. He set his beer down with a thud, his expression turning serious. “Alright, Ry, enough small talk. I didn’t just come here to see your broody face. I’ve got news.”
