Page 24 of Never You

“Oh, don’t be!” He dismisses my look with a genuine spark in his eyes. “My parents tried; they just didn’t know how to raise a kid in their situation. They thought they did what was best for me. In a way, I guess they did. I met Jay, and we vowed we would do better than they did.”

“Did you?” I hold my hand up for a gummy bear, my eyes on the road as he drops a few in my hand.

“Definitely. Jay’s goal was to become an NHL player by twenty-five. Mine was to have a publishing company.”

“Well, he succeeded,” I say, glancing at the sleeping guy beside me.

The muscles in his face are relaxed and calm, his normal smug look completely gone. My hand wants to reach out and brush his cheek, and my heart jerks, surprised by the sudden affection I’m feeling.

“What about you?”

A proud look washes his face. “Ever heard of Kayman Publishing International? Or KPI?”

“No shit!” I blurt in awe. “KPI is yours?”

KPI has brought on five best sellers in the last year, making it the number one publisher in the business right now. Not that I make it my business to know shit about publishing companies, but my cousin Kayla wants to be a publicist, and she mentioned KPI a few times.

He nods, taking another gummy bear.

“Whoa, I’m impressed,” I admit, holding up my hand again.

We both stare at the road ahead of us, unfazed by the sudden silence that occurs.

“You know… he’s not that bad,” he whispers, changing the subject, cocking his head at Jensen to make sure he doesn’t wake up.

I turn around to look at Bodi in question, then roll my eyes at him.

“I’m serious.”

“I’m not saying he is a bad person. In general,” I hiss, turning my eyes back to the road to avoid his eyes laced with a hint of judgment.

“Goldilocks, listen to me.” I laugh at his newfound nickname for me as he proceeds, “He isnotlike them. He puts on a grand act. In fact, sometimes I wonder why he wouldn’t pursue a career in acting, but that’s all it is.An act.”

“Bodi, he can be a good friend or son or whatever. But in the end, they are all the same. They think it’s normal to cheat on their wives and hump around with whoever they want. It’s fine, it’s just not something thatIsupport. And after Sean, that became even more clear.′

“No, he doesn’t.” He shivers his head in the corner of my eyes when he adds, “He never cheated on Emily. Notonce. He is not like Sean.′

“You realize I’ve been writing about twenty statements to cover his tracks?” I sigh, unconvinced, but also a bit puzzled why he even brings it up.

“Stating what? How he didn’t cheat on Emily? That he didn’t sleep with any of those girls? I know what you wrote. I’m just telling you it’s also the truth. I know you don’t trust him, but trust me; he is not like Sean. He has never cheated on Emily.” He looks into the rearview mirror, keeping his gaze focused on mine with an intensity that demands for me to listen.

I don’t peg Bodi for a liar, nor a person who would be a wingman when his best friend goes on a cheating spree. If that’s even a thing.

“Then why pretend he did?”

“Like I said, it’s an act. He is not as bad as you think he is. Trust me, give him a chance. He might surprise you.” He blurts the words out at high speed, as if he doesn’t want me to reply, then points at the upcoming gas station, dismissing the conversation. “Can you pull over? You need coffee, and I need food.”

“Yeah, sure,” I reply, a little dazed, as his words keep lingering in the back of my head, wondering if I’ve been judging Jensen too harshly this whole time.

6

When I open my eyes with my cheek against the sticky leather of the passenger seat, I’m greeted by the aftermath of many restless nights, but at least my head feels a little less heavy than before. I stretch out my arms to get the stiffness out of my back, glancing around the now empty car as I let out a big yawn. Wrinkles of my hoodie are embedded in my face, and I rub my stumbled jaw as I look in the side view mirror to check the damage. Sagging eyes stare back at me when I briefly lift my shades but other than that I’m not disappointed.

I’ve looked worse in my life.

I try to find a familiar face as I glance out the window, scanning the area around the gas station. When I can’t find one, I shrug my shoulders and decide to get some air while I wait for Bodi & Rae to get back.

The humid air hits me when I exit the car, sucking in a deep breath as I close the door, then lean against it. With my sunglasses protecting my eyes from the bright sunlight, I pull my phone from the back pocket of my jeans.

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