Page 103 of The Best Friend Power Play

I know I'm desperately in love with her.

I've never been like this, counting down the minutes until I see someone, missing her so much that it hurts. I'm desperate to hear her voice, smell her sweet coconut scent, hold her in my arms.

I want her.

I need her.

I love her.

And more than anything else, I have to get back to Comfort Bay and tell her that.

Why have I waited so long?

I bang my head against the locker door. "I'm an idiot."

Fraser doesn't look up from his phone. "I wholeheartedly agree."

"You don't even know what I was going to say."

"Doesn't matter." He lifts his head briefly and grins. "I still agree."

"Could it have something to do with Hannah?" Milo pipes up. "I saw the way you two were looking at each other at karaoke."

"Yeah. It's got everything to do with Hannah." I bang my head a few more times because I deserve it. "I'm in love with Hannah, and I didn't see it until I saw it."

"I saw it," Fraser says. "Remember the first time we were driving back from training at the start of summer, and I pointed out the signs I was picking up on from her?"

"I saw it, too," Milo wanders over from his locker. "Remember not two minutes ago when I pointed out the way you two were looking at each other at karaoke?"

"Stop helping." I groan. "And since when are you a funny guy?" I direct at Milo since the guy isn't exactly renowned for his banter.

"I can be funny," he says defensively.

"What specifically have you done that makes you think you're an idiot?" Fraser asks, putting his phone away.

"I haven't told her yet. Not properly."

Milo seems confused. "Wait. You messed up your first I love you?"

Fraser swats him across the chest. "Back off. First I love yous are easy to mess up, and they in no way reflect anything about the person saying the I love you other than he may need to go easy on the spice."

Milo smirks. "Hit a nerve, did I?"

"No. Maybe. Stop trying to be funny. It doesn't suit you," Fraser grumbles. "Let's get back to Culver."

I slump down onto the bench. "I said I think I love you because I was…scared. Or I thought it was too early. Or…or…I don't know why."

"Because you're an idiot?" Milo hedges.

I drop my head into my hands. "Yeah. Because I'm an idiot."

Fraser sits down next to me. "But in addition to being an idiot, you're also one of the best guys I know. It's hard talking about your feelings. I get it. Believe me. But you have to find a way to do it."

"Nah. That's why I suppress 'em," Milo says, walking back to his locker. "Better that way."

"Hard disagree." Fraser shakes his head. "I once thought like that. But then…"

"Then you fell in love with Evie?" I guess.

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