Page 58 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

His smile is almost amused. “Tell you what. If things don’t work out between you two, then yeah, give me a call. But I doubt I’ll be hearing from you.”

I have no clue what to say. I don’twantto hope. I hate the way my heart is racing and how my mind is spinning, trying to figure out if Logan is right. I’m not sure I can trust my instincts when it comes to Brad because I never would have thought he was straight in the first place. His flirting doesn’t mean anything. Neither does his open affection or proprietary fanny packs.

He’s just…Brad.

And if I admit I have feelings and he doesn’t reciprocate them? We won’t stay friends. Brad wouldn’t want to hurt me like that, I know it. And I don’t want to lose him. I’m not ready.

Might not ever be.

“Joey,” Logan says quietly. “I really think you should tell him.”

I nod, but I’ve never been more conflicted in my life.

Crushing on a straight friend is one thing. Admitting you’re interested in them romantically? That you want…more?

In what world does that possibly end well?

Chapter 15

Brad

My chest is in a vise as I watch Joey and Logan embrace. It’s a quick hug, far below the six-second threshold, but it still feels as if it lasts forever.

It shouldn’t bug me. I shouldn’t want to run over there and forcibly shove them apart.

Fuck. What is wrong with me?

I chew on my fingernail as they say a few more words to each other. When Logan steps away, shooting me a quick wave before heading off, my heart soars. Is he leaving?

Idefinitelyshouldn’t be relieved by that. In fact, I’m fairly certain that makes me the worst wingman ever. But I don’t care. Not right this instant.

I make my way back over to Joey, trying to gauge whether or not he’s happy about Logan’s departure. He’s watching him leave with a furrow in his brow.

“Hey,” I say once close, aiming for upbeat. “So, uh, how’d your talk go?”

Joey’s gaze shifts my way, something indecipherable in his expression. “Fine.”

I nod. “Cool, cool. I take it he’s not coming back with us?”

He shakes his head slowly.

“Okay,” I say as breezily as possible, even as I sag in relief. “That’s probably good, right? You’re looking for more than casual, so…” I let my sentence hang, not really wanting to consider Joey and Logan fucking. “Did you guys set up another date?”

“No,” Joey says quietly.

I ease out a breath before grinning in what I hope is a reassuring manner. “There’s still time, right? Plenty of time. I have his contact info, so if you want to—”

“Brad,” Joey cuts in. “Let’s head home, all right?”

“Yeah,” I say quickly. “Sure.”

Home.

Joey is quiet as we drive back to his little bungalow. He told me he’s renting the place for cheap in exchange for doing some repairs. By the look of things, he’s already been hard at work.

The outside of the house is dark blue, the trim a freshly painted white. There’s a section of porch that looks brand new, the wood still bright and unstained. A rocking chair sits atop it, right near the front door. Joey uses his key to let us inside, and I kick off my shoes before taking everything in.

The place is…adorable. That’s the best word I can come up with. The entryway is a gentle sage color, the living room off to the right cream. It’s clear Joey did some work inside, as well, because one of the walls has white streaked across it, like he patched it up and has yet to repaint it. Further down the hall is a dining room with a big bay window and the kitchen, also a sage color. The back of the house looks out over the small backyard, where a patio and portable fire pit sits.

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