Page 91 of Feels Like Love
As I listened, I considered her plan. It was risky, and if I wasn’t careful, I’d lose them both. I’d lose everything. My friendship with Bennett, and the chance for a future with real love.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Dude, have you met Arlo?” Liam asked as I racked the weights.
“Yeah, briefly at the farmers market last weekend.”
After our run-in with Arlo, I’d tried to avoid Wren. I really had. And I’d lasted about a day before I’d caved and touched her again.
Liam nodded and switched places with me as I grabbed a barbell to do some squats. “He’s a cool guy, right?”
I stilled. “You like him?”
I hadn’t had the chance to talk to Wren before she’d left to hang out with Arlo and Liam. And I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Liam not only seemed to tolerate Arlo, but maybe even like the guy.
“Yeah. He’s got a good job. He has a dog, so he can’t be half bad. And Wren really seems to like him.”
Unbelievable.I moved over to one of the rowing machines. Liam followed, sitting on the one next to me. “I can’t believe you actually like a guy she’s dating.”
He lifted a shoulder as he clipped his feet in, and we started taking strokes. “He’s a fellow coffee aficionado. It’s like we’re speaking the same language. Plus, he introduced me to my new favorite drink—a flat white.”
“Oh, so that’s it?” I laughed, though the sound was forced. “That’s all it took to win you over?”
“No, but I realized that maybe I was being too hard on her. It’s just…after everything with Kade…” He let out a deep breath. “You have no idea, Bennett. We almost lost her.”
I squeezed my eyes shut briefly. I didn’t want to think about it. About what Wren had gone through.
“Sepsis is serious shit.”
His eyes flashed to mine. “She told you about that?”
I nodded. She’d also told me about her fistula, but I wasn’t going to admit that to Liam.
“She’s been through so much. I want her to be happy, and she definitely seems happier lately.”
I tightened my grip on the handle.Because of me.
The more he talked, the harder I pushed myself. Arlo this and Arlo that. And did you know that Arlo…
“Dude, slow down,” Liam said from next to me. “Are you trying to give yourself a heart attack?”
Maybe.At least then I wouldn’t have to listen to Liam gush about Wren’s new boyfriend. Better yet, I wouldn’t have to watch Wren and Arlo together.
I puffed out a breath, pushing hard off the machine with my feet. Just thinking about the two of them had blood whooshing through my ears, my heart seizing in my chest. It was easy to ignore the fact that she was dating him when we were alone. But then we’d run into him at the farmers market… And he was no longer a vague idea. He was flesh and blood. And he was clearly into Wren.
I didn’t realize how sweaty I’d gotten until the handle slipped out of my hands and hit the machine with a loud bang.
“You okay?” Liam asked as other people around us stopped and stared.
“I’m going to take a piss.” I quickly wiped down the machine and escaped to the locker room.
I splashed some water on my face and stared in the mirror for a long time. All of a sudden, things seemed to be progressing with Wren and Arlo’s relationship, getting more real. And I felt blindsided by it.
I banged my fist against the counter.Fucking idiot.
I should’ve known this was coming. This was my fault after all. I was the one who’d encouraged her. Coached her. But I’d also deluded myself into thinking that there was something between us. That what we had was special.
“What’s up with you today?” Liam asked, joining me at the sink. I hadn’t even realized he’d come in.
