Page 40 of Can't Kiss the Chef

“He called Jay last night and seemed off. We were in bed, and Jalen got up and went to the living room to talk.”

“Do you think it was because of me? I know that Byron and I aren’t together anymore, but I still care about him.”

I watch my fingers tap the table, hating the idea that I could have hurt Byron. I honestly assumed he’d be deep in the throws of his own roster by now, I saw him with that blonde just a couple weeks ago.

“You’re fine, Lola; how were you supposed to know that Dalton and Byron have such a long history? Why don’t you call Byron and talk about it? I’m sure your mind is making it worse than it really is.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” I say as I inhale. “I really miss you. I wish you were here. I could really go for a hungover movie day.”

“I’ll be there soon. Jalen has a string of road games around Westvale, and we are going to come to visit.”

“I’m counting down the days.”

When I hang up with Ivy, I shot a text to Byron asking if he wants to come to the barn with me. He always wanted to come last year and we were only able to make it happen a couple of times.

He answers right away, and an hour later, I’m sitting in the boy’s driveway waiting for him.

I’m scrolling through Instagram when there is a tap on my window. It’s Aaron with a gym bag slung over his shoulder.

“Dalton Powell, really, Lola.”

My nose flares and my back straightens. I’m not sure who Aaron thinks he was getting this morning, but it’s not the sweet Lola he was hoping to meet.

“Get over yourself, Aaron. He’s a good guy. Are you that immature that you can’t see past a stupid college rivalry?”

His eyes go tender, like he feels sorry for me. That makes me more upset. I don’t need his pity.

“Lola, I’ve known guys like him my whole life. He puts on this respectful act, but he isn’t a good guy. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“I can take care of myself.” I snap.

He holds his hands up like he is surrendering before he walks away.

I watch Aaron pull out of his driveway when my passenger door opens. Byron looks awful, the bags under his eyes age him about ten years. He pulls the hood of his sweatshirt over his head and slumps down next to me.

“Rough night?”

“You could say that,” he grunts.

I take a deep breath and remind myself that this trip to the barn is to get our friendship back on track. Get your sunglasses out because I’m about be a ray of fucking sunshine.

I decide it’s best to stay away from any Dalton-related topics until we are at the barn and his mood has hopefully leveled off a bit.

“Are you excited to start practice tomorrow?”

His dull eyes light up a little, a sign that my happy-go-lucky friend is somewhere inside this broody foreigner.

“Yeah, I can’t believe it’s my senior season. I gave Jalen so much shit last year for mentioning every time he did something for the last time, but I get it now.”

The ride to the barn flew by. The conversation never lulled. How could it when none of us noticed that Aaron got so drunk that he streaked across campus last night. Then I am regretfully informed that I left before I was able to witness Oliver making out with some blonde on the cheerleading squad.

“I love my brother and want him to have the most amazing college experience, but there are some things I don’t need to see, and that is one of them.”

Byron laughs. It’s a beautiful sound. One that seems so much more natural than the grunts he was communicating with last night.

“I almost forgot.” He abruptly starts digging through his backpack, pulling out a plastic bag with chocolate chip cookies in it.

“I was baking these when you texted me. Thought you might want some.”

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