Page 6 of In Too Deep

Unable to stand being in Dave’s crowded room or Lawrence’s proximity any longer, I give up on trying to get to Caroline and make my way to the empty room across the hall. Robbie’s old bedroom is used by all the grandchildren now, but there are still a few remaining fragments of him. Like a University of Tennessee poster and some other memorabilia. The bunk beds I spent many nights sleeping in have been replaced with a full-size bed, but his old television set and video game systems are still here. When I spot the picture of Christina Ricci on the dresser, I chuckle. Robbie framed it after he saw her in Casper and developed a bit of an obsession. Caroline said she was merely the Hollywood version of me, and I suppose we do look similar. Same dark hair, pale skin, and hazel eyes. Though, I always felt she was much prettier than me. Certainly thinner.

Once I’ve made a complete circle around the room, I turn to find Lawrence propped against the doorframe watching me with a mixture of amusement and curiosity.

“So, KitKat…” His nickname for me comes out like a purr, and a shiver runs through me. “How are you doing?”

His mouth curves into a faint smile, but there’s a weariness in his eyes. My lips part as I begin to reply, only to snap closed again when he steps into the room, moving toward me.

He’s breathing in my air again, and it feels too intimate.

I move to create more space between us, and my legs hit the edge of the bed, forcing me to take a seat. “Good!” My voice is chipper, annoyingly so. My face heats once the reality of why we’re all here today sinks in again. “I mean…obviously I’m not doing great today…”

Tucking my hair behind my ears, I tug at the ends before letting go. When I finally lift my gaze to meet his, he nods.

“Yeah. Today sucks.”

He walks over to the bed and sits beside me. I try not to react, feigning a calmness even though all my senses are on high alert. His eyes move to the door across the hall as he rubs the back of his neck and lets out a sad sigh.

If looking is cheating, I’m being a cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater right now. I’m taking it all in, his tone arms, full lips, and beautiful long eyelashes. He’s so damn pretty. Don’t get me wrong, Spencer is extremely attractive. I’ll never forget the first time I saw him in that blue uniform. He looked so damn sexy I momentarily forgot about the chaos that had brought us together in the first place.

But there’s no one like Lawrence.

When his eyes finally land on me again, he gives me a knowing smile, as if he’d heard my thoughts. But that’s no surprise. He always looked at me as if he could see everything I tried to keep hidden.

“I wish I were seeing you under better circumstances, but I’m so glad you’re here today.” My heart races at his admission, my narrowed eyes blinking in surprise. This is the most interaction we’ve had since we were teenagers, and our last words to each other hadn’t been kind. “You’re the one person here who knows exactly how I’m feeling today,” he explains.

My throat swells, tears pricking my eyes as I nod. Balling my fists, I dig my nails into my palms. “I do. They may not be family, but—”

“They’re family,” he cuts in, finishing my sentence.

His stare becomes too intense, too heartbreaking, and I divert mine to the hallway.

Lawrence’s eyes remain on me, his gaze burning my skin.

“How’s your sister doing?”

My eyes snap back over to him, surprised by his question. I didn’t realize he knew what Lizzy went through, but for the first time in a long time, I don’t dread answering that question.

A genuine smile spreads across my face. “She’s doing great. Just got remarried.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “No shit? That’s awesome.”

I nod in agreement. He has no clue how wonderful it is. My sister hadn’t handled the death of her husband well, and for a while, I thought she might never come out of it on the other side. It was as if she’d died with him in that car. She’s lucky her meddling sister stepped in to save the day. She wouldn’t be happily married now if I hadn’t.

“And your parents?” he adds.

“They’re good too.”

He nods, and an awkward silence falls between us, our eyes sliding back to the doorway. Basic etiquette dictates I ask about his family now too, but his mother never liked me much, and I never cared for his sister. So, I allow our conversation to fizzle out.

Besides, I’m proud of myself. The last time I saw Lawrence was at Caroline’s wedding, and I couldn’t even bring myself to look at him. The pain from years earlier still felt too fresh that day, but we just had a decent exchange of words. No need in screwing that up now.

Robbie appears at the doorway, and his eyes slant as they shift from Lawrence to me then back again, his lips pressing into a hard line as if he caught us doing something we shouldn’t.

“Hey, bubba,” Lawrence greets him, jumping to his feet and stepping away from me. “How are you holding up?”

His wavering tone only gives justification to Robbie’s insinuation, and I grind my teeth.

Robbie steps into the room and they begin to carry on a conversation as if I’m not even here. I think Robbie still holds a grudge against me for falling in love with his best friend, and it’s also very possible he hasn’t forgiven either of us for what followed.

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