Page 70 of In Too Deep

The FSU game is playing on my TV, but my eyes are on Lawrence. I’m snuggled up close to him on the couch, wearing my new FSU shirt he bought me and a smile on my face. We’ve easily fallen into coupledom, oddly feeling like a brand new and old relationship at the same time. It’s almost like we picked up where we left off, like we hadn’t spent nearly two decades apart.

As the game goes to commercial, Lawrence turns his attention to me, his eyes darkening with desire. “God, you’re beautiful. Maroon is definitely a good color on you.”

I try to contain my smile. “You think so? I don’t know, I think maybe Gator blue would look better.”

“Oh, she’s got jokes,” he says, chuckling as he tackles me onto my back.

He has me pinned down, kissing and tickling me as I laugh hysterically, when there’s a knock on my front door.

We both freeze.

Lawrence’s brow creases as he sits up, helping me do the same. “Are you expecting anyone?”

My heart begins to race as I shake my head. There’s nothing good waiting for me on the other side of that door. I know it’s not Lori because I still haven’t had the balls to reach out or apologize to her, and I’m praying it’s not anyone from my family because I haven’t had the guts to tell them Lawrence and I are dating yet. The most frightening possibility is that it’s Spencer.

My stomach churns as I come to my feet. “I guess I should go see who it is,” I tell him, hooking my thumb toward the front door before scurrying in the same direction.

There’s another knock as I reach the door. My breath stills when I see Spencer through the peephole, my rigid body causing me to swing the door open with more force than I intend.

“Spencer? What are you doing here?”

“We need to talk.” His tone is flat and unwavering, telling me he’s not leaving here without saying what he came to say. I suppose I owe him that much.

My cheeks heat as I step onto the porch and close the door behind me, not wanting Lawrence to hear this conversation. “I’m not sure what you could possibly have to say, but you’re here, so…” I gesture for him to speak, then cross my arms.

Spencer runs his hands through his hair as he rocks back on the balls of his feet. “It’s time for you to fix things with Lori. Enough is enough.” My spine straightens in shock from the harshness in his tone. It’s something I’ve never heard from him. He quickly corrects himself, letting out a puff of air before starting again. “She’s been your best friend since you were young, are you really going to let this ruin your friendship?”

The condescension behind his words causes a fury to bubble in my gut, even though a part of me knows he’s right.

“This?” I scoff, waving my arms before crossing them again. “You mean my boyfriend and best friend making a fool of me?”

His jaw tics as he shakes his head. “That isn’t what happened, and you know it. The situation could’ve been handled better, but we never did anything to intentionally hurt you. We both care about you very much.”

I throw my head back, looking up at the sky before my narrowed eyes land on him again. “So, what? You’re a we now?”

He tugs at his beard, as if trying to keep himself from saying what he’s thinking. “Can we please not do this, Cat? I came here because I want to make things right between you and Lori.”

I huff out a laugh. “What makes you think you can?”

Spencer’s head falls as he sighs, rubbing his thumb and forefinger over his forehead. When his head lifts again, he meets my gaze. “Lori doesn’t believe she’s worth loving. Do you realize that?” My breath stills, the color draining from my face. It’s something I’ve suspected about Lori for a long time, but it still hurts my heart to have it confirmed. “That’s why she pushed me away in the first place. Then you came along, and she put your happiness above her own. Now, I’m asking you to put her first. I’m asking you to give me a chance to show her she’s worthy.”

My lips press into a hard line as I dab the moisture from my eyes. “So, basically, this isn’t about you wanting to fix my friendship with Lori, it’s still about you wanting permission for the two of you to ride off into the sunset together?”

Spencer shakes his head. There’s a defeated expression on his face, and it seems as if he’s going to give up, until we hear movement inside.

“Is he in there?” He points to the door behind me, and my stomach drops. “Lawrence? That’s his car in the driveway, isn’t it?” My cheeks flush, my lips staying glued together. “You don’t have to hide that from me. It’s okay. When you love someone, you want them to be happy. And despite what you think, I do love you.” My entire body relaxes at his words, no longer feeling the need to be on the defense. He isn’t here to place the blame on me or make me feel bad, even though he probably should. “If he’s the person who makes you happy, that’s who you should be with. All I’m asking is for you to consider allowing Lori to decide what makes her happy without the guilt.”

My lashes flutter and forehead creases as I consider what he’s saying, the idea that I could be standing in the way of Lori’s happiness causing a tightness in my chest. In truth, I’m not avoiding Lori because I’m upset with her, it’s because I’m embarrassed by my behavior. The last thing I would ever want to do is cause her pain or keep her from being happy. Even if it means being with Spencer.

“I’m going to go, but I want you to know I’m in love with her. And I think she might be in love with me too, but she’s holding back because of you. Please, make this right.”

His shoulders fall when I remain silent, and he lets out a relenting sigh as he turns to head back to his truck. I know I should stop him, there’s so much I need to say, but I don’t know how.

Lawrence

Cat’s shoulders are sagging when she walks back into the room, her face pale and eyes sad. I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop on her conversation with Spencer, but I was a little concerned when I heard her step outside and close the door. From what Cat told me, Spencer is a decent guy. Still, I wanted to be ready to step in if she needed me. What I heard was nothing like I was expecting.

“Why didn’t you tell me all of that was going on with Lori?” I ask as she plops back down on the couch next to me.

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