Page 51 of Give Me Love

“Kat, the movie is about to start.” I look to Bryce and then the screen.

“I won’t keep you,” Nash says. “It was good to see you.” He comes in for another hug, which throws me off. I return it, though, trying to avoid Bryce’s clenching jaw and lifted chin. “You still have my number, right? We should catch up.”

“Umm, yeah.” I run my hands over the front of my clothes as we pull away. I’m pretty sure I won’t be doing that. Even though Nash was a good friend, I’m just not one for going backwards.

He nods. “Good to meet you,” he says to Bryce.

“Likewise.”

I give a friendly smile as I watch Nash walk away. Man, college seems like a lifetime ago. So many people tried to get to know me and I refused them. But, that’s the thing about me. I wasn’t naïve to the ugly of the world. I was naïve to the good. Hence why I have such a hard time letting people in. I’ve seen what they can do and who they can be.

Claire’s words from earlier come to mind.“You’re afraid to let people get too close.”

“You want a beer?” Bryce asks, snapping me from my thoughts.

“Yeah,” I reply, thinking a drink is just what I need.

“Be right back.” He lifts his hat as he walks away, lazily dropping it back down on his head.

I take a seat on the blanket and wipe under my eyes before deciding I’ve had enough of my hair on my neck and back. I pull the hair tie from my wrist and wrap it up, instantly feeling cooler.

A few minutes later, Bryce walks over with two beers and hands them to me so he can sit.

The cool liquid feels good going down my throat and I put the can against the skin on my chest to cool me down. We’re both looking at the screen when Bryce says, “So you two seem pretty close.”

“Hmm?” I question.

“You and what’s his name.”

“Nash?” I ask.

“Yeah. Him.” He leans back against his front bumper. His long legs are stretched out in front of him and he crosses his Nike covered feet. I like that his jeans are fitted around his ankles. It shows off his shoes, which look brand new. I’m sure he has a closet full.

I notice the slight bitterness in his voice when he sayshim,but I choose to ignore it. I move the can from my chest and pick at the tap. “Yeah, we were close in school. He’s a good guy. No baggage,” I say. I choose to leave out any further details.

Bryce narrows his eyes and looks back at the screen.

“Unlike me you mean?”

I bite my lip. “Well, you aren’t an open book.”

He blinks back to me. “And you are?”

I bring my beer to my lips and swallow down his comment.

He’s right. I’m right, but it doesn’t get us anywhere.

“Did you fuck him?” he asks.

“What?” I scrunch my face.

“You heard me.” He flips his hat around backwards.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“So, you did.”

“Why would you assume that?” I ask in a quieter tone because people are close to us.

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