Page 64 of Mr. Charming

“I’d say it’s just the best friends’ older sister thing. And don’t let your ego inflate too much, because it died quick once I started dating.”

“Gee, thanks. Way to pop my balloon.”

He chuckles. “I remember when you brought Tweetie to Toby’s wedding. You guys were the talk of the night. More so than Toby and Carrie. Everyone said how perfect you two were together. You suited each other so well.”

“We were good together, but that doesn’t mean that?—”

“It was the end of the evening, and Foster was drunk, as well as Theo. The two of them were trying to prank Toby into doing something stupid. I walked into the venue, and a lot of the guests had already left. And you and Tweetie were on the dance floor. Your head was on his chest, his arms tight around you. The twinkle of the lights was scattered over the both of you and all over the dance floor. It was the first time I realized that’s what I wanted. You guys were something.” He shakes his head a little, then cringes.

My nose tickles, but I suck back the tears. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I don’t think ignoring the pull you two have toward one another is the right way to deal with this. It actually surprised me when you asked me to be your fake boyfriend.”

“Why?” I frown.

“The entire reason I had a crush on you when we were younger is because of your ability not to take any bullshit. To meet every bend in the road head-on. To never shy away from what you want. I know when your mom left, you took on a role you probably didn’t want to.”

I stiffen. I don’t want to talk about my mom, or any of this actually.

“Where is the doctor?” I stand and peek out of the curtain.

“We’re in the emergency room in Chicago, it’s going to be a while.” Decker is so calm. He’s the opposite of Tweetie.

I wonder if Tweetie’s questioned why I picked someone so different from him. If he were in that bed, he’d be making some jokes and probably blowing up the plastic gloves. I smile to myself, missing that part of him so much.

I sit back down in the chair. “I understand if you want to tap out.”

He sighs as if he’s thinking about it. “Just not ready yet, huh?”

I shake my head.

“Then I’ll keep up this stupid charade,” he groans.

I’m not sure why Decker has a soft spot that has him helping me so much, but I rush to the bed and hug him. “Thank you. Just a little while longer. And I’ll try to keep you from being swindled into joining the group.”

“Sure, you will.” He pats me on the back as though he’s appeasing me and wants me off him.

“In my defense, I thought it would be an easy two hours. We watch kids play hockey, and then we leave. We showed our faces together. I never imagined it would be this.” I grip his hand.

“Oh, sorry.”

I glance over my shoulder to find Tweetie emerging from behind the curtain.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt, I was just checking on the patient.” Tweetie looks uncomfortable and shifts in place.

“Right now, the patient’s hand hurts.” Decker slides his hand out of my grip, flexing and stretching his fingers a few times.

“We’re waiting for the doctor. You guys should go. You don’t have to stay,” I say.

Tweetie sits in the chair on the opposite side of the room. I guess he’s not leaving. “Jade and Henry took Bodhi home. The rest of us are out there feeling like a bunch of assholes.” He sets his gaze on Decker. “I’m sorry, man.”

Decker shrugs. “It’s not your fault. No one saw that kid coming.”

Tweetie cringes.

I tilt my head because he knows something. Decker doesn’t see it, but I do.

“What?” I ask Tweetie, and his eyes meet mine before he stares at his hands in his lap.

---