Page 34 of Forever and Other Lies

“I kissed you back. I could have stopped you, but I didn’t.” Leighton glanced away as she spoke. She looked so uncomfortable, and he hated that she felt that way around him. He hated that he had cost her so much already. She didn’t need to lose her dignity as well.

“Of course, you kissed me back. I’m irresistible!” He reverted to the clown, the never-serious, full-of-himself persona he’d been playacting at for so long now.

Leighton visibly relaxed and climbed up the top rung, cautiously stepping onto the roof. “Give me a beer.”

He handed her a cold can as she slowly sank beside him at the peak. He continued to stare at the woman he had no business staring at.

The truth was, Leighton belonged with Tommy. They were the golden couple. The perfect son marrying the girl he’d rescued from the wrong side of the tracks. They were a bloody fairytale come true. Tommy was her knight in shining armor. The hero.

And Derek had been the fire-breathing dragon who had destroyed that innocent love out of jealousy and spite. That was the hard and unflattering truth.

This rooftop truly did bring clarity. The biggest realization was that he wasn’t meant for relationships. He ruined everything he touched. He had the right idea to only casually date. The women he dated were well aware that he was a commitment-phobe. No surprises. He was done hurting people.

She popped the tab and took a tentative swallow. “It was wrong of us. I don’t know if Tommy will ever forgive us.”

“So, we keep apologizing until he does.” Ian’s words came back to him. “How many more times do I need to apologize before you forgive me?”

“This being the first time, I’d say at least a dozen more.”

“Seriously? Sorry isn’t an easy word for me.” It always got stuck in his throat, tangling up his tongue. It had been that way since childhood. He hated to apologize.

She took another swallow from the beer can, staring at him over the rim. “It was a stupid mistake that we both regret.”

He nodded, chugging the rest of his beer before throwing it on the grass beside the other one.

“You’re picking those up.” She shook her head. “You really are an ass.”

“Yep,” he grinned, pulling another beer out of the cooler. “Oh, crap.”

“What?” Her head turned, following his stare, and she repeated his words. “Oh, crap.”

Ophelia Meddler was crossing the road.

“Did Nick know he was building a house across the street from the Meddler?”

“That’s why he got the land so cheap.” Derek waved the beer can in his hand. “Want to join us for a beer, Mrs. Meddler?”

“Don’t egg her on,” Leighton warned him.

“I don’t think there’s been a Halloween yet where I missed egging her house. Last year included.” He waggled his eyebrows at Leighton and was delighted to hear her laugh.

“Derek!”

“The Meddler has it coming! She called my mother last week when I was up here drinking. I got an entire lecture on drinking too much and acting my age.” He shook his head, grimacing.

“See, it helped a lot.”

“Whatever.” He tried to sound belligerent, but it fell short.

“Is that you, Leighton Gray?” Ophelia stood on the curb, shielding the sun with a hand raised over her brow.

“I’ll be all the talk at the next business association meeting,” Leighton grumbled.

“Sure will,” Derek agreed. “Sucks to be you.”

“Shut up and hand me another beer.” She tossed the empty can onto the grass beside the others. “You’re picking that one up, too.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Hope began to fill him. If Leighton could forgive him, maybe Tommy would, too.

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