Page 129 of A Little Broken

“Probably wise, since I'm overthinking it enough for the both of us.” She bumps her shoulder against mine.

“We should get going,” I decide.

“Sounds good. I’ll just…hang out here until you’re ready.”

“What? You’re not going to say goodbye, too?” I ask.

“Already texted him.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know that was an option. And since when do you have his number?”

“Since your twenty-first birthday,” she quips.

My jaw drops. “Are you serious?”

“Yup. Dodger gave it to me in case I had any issues getting ahold of you.”

What are the freaking odds? Although, it’s probably for the best. If I'd known she’d had it all these years, I have a feeling I would’ve caved and reached out to him during one of my low points.

And if I had, maybe there wouldn’t have been so many of them.

The voice is quiet as it tickles the back of my brain, catching me off guard. What would it have been like? If I hadn’t lied all those years ago? Would we have dated? Would we still be dating? Would we be?—

I shut the thought down before it has a chance to take hold.

Unlocking my cell, I announce, “You know, I think you make a good point. I’m going to?—”

She smacks my phone out of my hands, and it falls into my lap. “Nope. No deal. Messaging him goodbye is an option for mebecause I’m just the cherry on top of the sundae. You, my dear friend, are the main course. Go. I’ll stick around for ten more minutes. If you’re back by then, we can leave together, but in case you decide to let things get freaky?—”

“Rory!” I scold.

“No use lying, Tater Tot,” she says. “You forget how well I know you, and after a declaration of interest like the one he put out tonight? Well, let’s just say I’d be dropping my virgin panties in a heartbeat if someone did something as thoughtful as what Pax did for you this evening. Although, I do have a paper to finish tomorrow morning for my English class, so the ten minutes starts now. Go.”

After a gentle push from my best friend, I stride down the stairs. The place is a mess, but I don’t bother touching any of it as I make my way to the beach. He can have hisothercleaning service do it for him, for all I care. Everyone’s gone. And it’s strange. Feeling the shift in the air. The charged energy from when the little concert first started to the subtle high after it finished, to this. A soft, comfortable ambiance I want to wrap myself up in. The bonfire is settling, but it still crackles as Pax cradles his guitar to his chest with a beer by his side.

“Well, would you look at that,” he says. The firelight dances in his gaze as he watches me approach. “I owe Coop a hundred bucks.”

Planting my ass on the sand next to him, I stretch my legs out. “A hundred bucks? Why?”

“He bet you’d stay.”

“And you bet I’d leave?” I challenge, though I can’t decide if I’m offended or impressed with how well he knows me. “I promised, didn’t I?”

“Pretty little liar,” he murmurs. “Remember?”

I do. He called me that the first night we met. When we were playing an unofficial game of Twenty Questions. I lied about my favorite food. My favorite color. Everything.

“Well,” I draw a tiny heart in the sand, “it seems I’m capable of turning over a new leaf after all. For tonight, anyway,” I add dryly.

He smiles against the rim of his beer. “I guess I’ll take what I can get.” Setting it back in the sand, he continues strumming whatever melody’s inside his head. “Thanks for coming.”

“Thanks for having me. This was…this was incredible, Pax.”

With a slow nod, he sighs. “Ready to give me a chance yet, Birthday Girl?”

I wish I knew the answer. Wish I knew if I was even capable of giving him a chance. A real one. A chance he deserves and has earned time and time again. He’s a good guy. Thoughtful. Patient as a saint. He’s done everything right. Has listened to my every request. So why can’t I let go?

Why won’t you let me go, Arch?

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