Page 100 of Really Truly Yours

“I understand.”

He mutters a four-letter word, something I’ve not heard from him since we reunited. Bolting up, he grabs his plate and stalks to the sink. “I pray you don’t, Gray. I pray you don’t.” Tripp slams on the water and looks about to break Avery’s scrub brush into at least two parts. Suddenly, he slams the tap off again and grips the edge of the sink. “I suck at forgiveness.”

I can only laugh. “Kind of like I suck at humility, right?”

He shakes his head and finally chuckles. “Something like that.” He turns and leans. “But, in the interest of forgiveness and moving forward, stuff like that, I was thinking. There’s a game tomorrow night, right?”

“Yes.”

He draws in a giant breath, rumbling it back out. “I had the thought, if you want to invite Donny over…” He lifts his hands and turns them up.

I stare. “Are you sure about this?”

“Not in the least, so you better grab the offer quick.”

More time might not be a bad idea, but it’s tough seeing Donny hurting. I nod slowly. “Okay. I’ll go see him in the morning.”

“And invite Sydnee, too.”

Her name yanks me out of the fog of doubt and angst Tripp’s neck-jerking change of direction induced. “Seriously? You sure you want an audience for this?”

His snort turns into a rough laugh. “I’m not sure of anything, but she seems to have a way with him, and he might need the support.”

That’s ominous.

“Might be we all could use the buffer.”

Maybe so.

Under Tripp’s measured stare, I feel the conversation full-halt and shift directions. “Besides, it’s obvious you’ve got a thing for her.”

“No, I…” Why is denial in this sort of matter so often the kneejerk reaction?

Eh, who’s got time for that? “I’ll ask, bro, but she might be as likely to decline as you are to rescind your offer to Donny between now and tomorrow.”

Kicked back against the sink, he folds his arms. “Do tell.”

I stretch out a kink in my knee. “Sydnee is unpredictable.”

His forehead grooves. “Unstable?”

That was a leap. “Not at all. Sensitive, I guess. She’s not a very trusting soul.”

His demeanor shifts into a big-brother reproach. “You haven’t done anything to produce this mistrust, I take it?”

Boy, tough crowd. “No. I have not.” Much.

He runs a hand over his dark hair, sighing as if pain is attached. “Then I imagine the lady has her reasons.”

∞∞∞

Perched on the edge of the mattress in Tripp and Avery’s guest suite, I take the plunge. The four days separating now and the last of Sydnee’s and my communication feel like a time warp. I wasn’t giving up on her. I was simply hoping that backing off might help. I didn’t want her to feel stalked. I can be eager sometimes.

I go to my texts, and select her name.

Me: How has your week been?

Lame? Uh-huh.

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