Page 22 of My Crush's Brother

“Hooking up I guess?” I feel like an idiot not even sure what we’re doing.

“You guess?” I turn away from her scrunched up face.

“Yeah. I mean,” I take in a long breath. “He has some pretty big jobs coming up out of state and you know he’s gone for months at a time. That’s not really how I want a relationship to go, us not seeing each other for weeks and months. So we kind of agreed to just enjoy the time he had left. He leaves for Montana on Sunday.”

“I could see how that wouldn’t be an ideal relationship...did you consider going where he is? You could travel and do the cabin marketing job from the road as long as you had wifi.”

I roll my eyes, she’s being nice but it’s not realistic. “Yeah I did think about that actually but I’m happy here Jade. Not to mention Alaska? I looked it up, the wifi in the remote towns he builds is terrible and unreliable and that’s not conducive for my work. This is my home and this is where I want to live. I don’t even know why I’m going to this Chicago interview.” I hang my head.

“What’s your heart telling you Pearl? What do YOU want to do about this situation?”

“I want to be with Blake but I’m also not willing to make the sacrifice and put my life on hold to be with him. I did that for too long with Trevor, I can’t keep selling myself short.”

“Well I agree with you there honey,” she gives me a thin lipped smile.

“This is what’s going through my brain...I’m going to give Trevor a call and explain to him what’s been going on between us and see if he’s free to grab dinner when I’m in Chicago. Heknows I have an interview and told me to hit him up when I arrived. Blake and I had a little fight and then he went on a fishing trip to God knows where. I don’t know when he’s getting back but maybe Trevor knows. I want to surprise Blake, apologize to him and end things on a friendly note ya know? I do really care for him. I don’t want to lose him as a friend.”

“You mean you want to keep him around for a friends with benefits when he’s in town?” she laughs.

“Can’t hurt!” I laugh as we clink our beer glasses together.

“Hey thanks for picking up.Sorry for the random call but there’s something kind of crazy I need to tell you and...it’s going to be awkward.”

“You’re sleeping with my brother.” I feel my mouth drop open.

“What?!” Is the only thing I can manage to say.

“Blake told me the other day so no need for any details. I’m cool with it, I’m glad you guys are happy and in love and all that shit.” He laughs and I can picture the face he’s making, the way his eyes crinkle so tight.

“I’m sorry, in love? No. It’s just a...well I don’t know exactly but he travels and I’m working.” I start rambling and try to play it off but why the hell did he throw out the word love?

“Wait, what did Blake say about me?” I ask, suddenly feeling a bit childish.

“No, nope. I’m not playing this game with you two. You guys need to figure out your own shit, keep me out of it, I don’t want details!”

“Oh relax! Fine,” I huff. “I’ll let you go then since you’re already filled in. Oh, when did he say he’s coming back to Grand Lake? I pissed him off and he took off without telling me.”

“Doesn’t take much to ruffle that old man’s feathers. He’ll be back tomorrow night.”

“Thanks Trev...I’m sorry this is so weird.” He pauses briefly on the other end.

“Honestly, it’s pretty great. You’d be my sister and I’d love to see Blake happy again. Just hope you two can make it work. Talk soon.”

He hangs up and I look down at my phone, pulling open the notes section to make my checklist for what I’ll need to surprise Blake.

Wine. Candles. Rose petals. Lingerie. Something fancy to cook. I need Delilah’s help with that one.

The next morning I head over to the cabins, stopping to pick up some fresh muffins and coffee for Mrs. Winthrop and I.

“Good morning Mrs. W” I say balancing the coffee and muffins as I let my bag slide off my shoulder to the floor.

“Oh let me help you with that dear. And call me Adele, you’re practically my daughter you know.” Over the years she’s always insisted I call her by her first name but my parents wouldn’t allow it. I guess it’s just a habit now.

“Bookings still coming in steadily?” I ask as she hands us each a muffin.

“Yes, I was just telling your mama about how amazing you are. I ran into her at the market yesterday. She looked well.”

“Yeah she’s doing great actually. Her back was bothering her a while back and I finally talked her into going to see a specialist in Boulder. He gave her some steroid shots and she’s back to feeling like she’s 30 again...according to her. What about you? How are you doing?”

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