“He’s at Yvie’s house,” Lewis says. “Guess that answers that.”
“No, it doesn’t,” I blurt, unbuckling my seatbelt. “Stop the car.”
A warning sound blares from me not wearing a seatbelt while the car is in motion.
“Kylie, buckle up. I don’t wanna get caught doing another thing wrong while driving.”
“It’s not you. Your mousy neighbor is in the wrong. Now stop the car.”
As I reach for the door handle, there’s a locking sound. I yank on the door handle, but there’s no give. “Lewis, unlock the door.”
“Why do you want to hurt yourself?” Lewis says, keeping the car moving along the street. “Seeing those two together won’t give you closure. It’ll only make you feel worse.”
“He doesn’t love her,” I protest. “You silly boys put her on a pedestal and think your lives will be better because she agreed to be with you. Parker’s smarter than that. One moment with her, when they’re both single, he’ll realize what a mistake he’s made.”
Lewis parks the car a few houses away from Yvette’s. “I’m not unlocking the doors until you listen to me.”
“Ugh. Then spit it out.”
“You might have a fantasy of rushing in there and tearing them apart, but this is real life. Maybe he will figure out Yvette is wrong for him, but let him work it out.”
I sit back in the seat, taking in the sincerity in his eyes. “You really care about him, don’t you.”
Lewis smiles. “He’s my best friend.”
“But how is your friendship not trashed after you’ve both gone after the same girl?”
“Because that’s not how our friendship works. Besides, didn’t you realize how much I loved our double dates? It was too much fun making Parker jealous. It’s one of my favorite things to do.”
“Ugh. I’ll never understand boys.”
“The best was making him squirm when I kissed Yvette under the waterfall.”
“That wasn’t fun for either of us.”
Lewis smirks. “Hey, I already gave you an opportunity to kiss me.”
I laugh at the ridiculousness and buckle my seatbelt.
“Can I buy you a burger?” Lewis asks.
“Sure. Sounds like a great way to mask my sorrows.”
Lewis drives us to Alto Burger. He orders himself a double sizzler and me a whadda burger.
He sends me a wink. “I remember your favorite.”
We sit out on the deck, waiting for our orders to arrive.
“So, you really had a crush on me for a year and a half?”
I sigh, covering my face. “Am I going to regret telling you that?”
“No, I was just wondering what changed,” he replies. “If you still felt the same way about me while you were with Parker, why didn’t you kiss me back at the house?”
I frown, sitting back as my stomach twists.
Lewis smirks. “Don’t tell me the thought of kissing me broke your crush on me.”