Page 60 of See You at the Finish Line

“Funny.” I shake my head. “Seriously though, what do I do?”

“Honestly? Stop being a dick to her. That’d probably be a good start.”

“I don’t do it on purpose.”

“You can’t help yourself.”

“She started all of this.”

“Maybe, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t hope. I got hard just watching you two fight. I bet the sex wouldn’t be terrible.”

“Don’t be gross.”

I know it wouldn’t. I know how her body feels against mine fully clothed, filthy, and exhausted. I know how her mouth moves—I’ve committed it to memory. Nothing with her would be terrible.

She could live in my house and it would become our home. She could go out into the bay whenever she wanted. I bet Q would love it. I could tell her every day how not a minute went by where I didn’t think of her.

Now how do I tell her this without sounding like a stalker?

“Shay said what?” Leah’sshriek through the phone hurts my ear. I’m surprised it doesn’t wake Levi.

“You heard me.” I thought she would be on my side, but of course she isn’t.

“I love her already. When do I get to meet her?”

“She told Adam that the sex with Nate was terrible! We didn’t even have sex.”

“She’s my hero. I should bake her a pie.”

“I hate you.”

Leah laughs. “What did you say to her when you left?”

I flop down on the couch and Q immediately jumps up to join me, sensing my distress. She snuggles in close, and I appreciate that I’m not alone right now. I called Leah as soon as I got home to rant about the dinner.

That was our “together” Sunday activity: go out with a friend to a restaurant we’d never been to. Easy for me since I haven’t gone out much since I moved here. I let Shay pick the place and it turned outto be the most delicious Indian food I’ve ever had. Too bad Adam ruined it.

I cannot get him out from under my skin.

“I told her that she’s the worst friend I’ve ever had.”

“And let me guess, she believed you as much as I did when you told me you hate me.”

“Yes,” I grumble.

“She’s a keeper.”

“I know. She said it was for the best and I would thank her someday.”

“She really doesn’t know you that well yet.”

“Ha ha.”

“But seriously, that was ballsy of her.”

“Right? I was shocked. I have to be honest, the look on Adam’s face was kind of priceless.”

“You loooooove him,” Leah croons like we’re in second grade.

---