Page 58 of Should've Been Us
“I was not freaking out.” Lance scoffed but the knowing look Trent shot her told her all she needed to know and she found herselfsmiling.
“Mexico is beautiful. Derek and Aubrey chose an incredible resort. The beaches are white and the water is so blue it’s practically clear. It’samazing.”
Lance’s dark eyebrows winged up, “Aubrey? You’re calling she who shan’t be named by her real name now?” He whistled quick and low, “How many margaritas have you downed todaysis?”
“Oh shut up.” She shot back good-naturedly, “I know it seems crazy but… a lot has changed since the last time I sawyou.”
“Seven days ago youmean?”
“Hush.” Trent bit at his boyfriend’s shoulder and grinned, “Clearly she has something to tell us. Just look at her, baby. She’s practicallyglowing.”
Lulu felt herself blush at Trent’s words, which she knew did nothing but confirm them. Glowing? Wasn’t that something that happened to pregnant women? There wasn’t a chance in hell she was pregnant even if she and Connor hadn’t been using condoms. But she supposed, maybe, she was glowing because for the first time in a long time, in longer than she cared to admit really, she washappy.
She was so damn happy and she was so damn scared to tell her brotherwhy.
“Lu?” Lance’s dark brows had furrowed and his face was serious now, “What’s goingon?”
“Well… something happened and I’m not entirely sure how it happened and I don’t really have anyone I can talk to about it so I thought… maybe… I could tell you but you have to promise me that you won’t freakout.”
“You’re making it sound like it is definitely something I’m going to freak out about.” Lance grunted, “Spill it Lulu. Now. What’s going on with you? Did you steal Derek away? Ruin the wedding? Do you need anescape?”
“God no. Nothing like that.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s actually kinda the opposite I… well, I realized I’m not in love withDerek.”
“Finally.” Trent all but groaned and Lance smirked at hisboyfriend.
“I think I’ve known for a while now I just… didn’t want to let him go.” Sheshrugged.
“Jesus Lu, you had me seriously worried there for a second.” Lance chastised her seriously, “You’re over Derek? You’re letting him go and going to be in the wedding and everything isfine?”
“Yeah. For the first time in a long time, everything isfine.”
“So how exactly did you come to this magical realization?” Trent grinned at her and there was a knowing sparkle to his bright blue eyes that made her wonder if he already knew the answer. That was impossible though. Wasn’tit?
She swallowed hard and took a deep breath for courage, “I met someone or rather… I mean, I knew him already but I didn’t know him, know him, if that makes sense. I just…. I kind of saw him for the first time through clear eyes while we’ve been down here and… We’re togethernow.”
“Together?” Lance’s eyes practically popped out of his head, “Withwho?”
“Connor.” She admitted softly and waited for the explosion she knew wascoming.
Instead, Lance simply stared at her. Silent. Slack-jawed. A look of shock and horror on his features that resembled her own so much. Her brother stared at her across the distance of thousands of miles, through two computer screens and somehow she could still feel the ice of his cold reaction to her admission chill her to thebone.
“Lance?” She finally said when he remained quiet. “Saysomething.”
“Trust me. You don’t want me to say something right now, Lu.” He grit his teeth and shewinced.
Trent whispered something in his boyfriends ear that she couldn’t make out and then turned back to face her with a soft look of understanding on his handsome face, “Your brother is just in shock. Ignore him. Talk to me. Tell me how this happened. You and Connor? ConnorShaw?”
“Yeah. Connor Shaw.” She bit her lip, her gaze darting from her brother’s stony expression to his boyfriend who looked intrigued if not slightly confused, “He… He makes mehappy.”
“Well of course he does.” Trent grinned, “Anyone could see that just from looking at you. You’re all bright cheeks and sunny smiles. It’s good to see. Happy looks good on you babygirl.”
“Thank you.” She felt her bottom lip quiver a little when Lance shook hishead.
“You hate him.” He all butgrowled.
“Idon’t.”
“You do. You fight with him nonstop. He treats you like shit.He…”
