Page 12 of Infatuation

He laughs. “Don’t tell me any more. I make it a point not to think about my brother having sex.”

I laugh, wiping the tears out of my eyes as I do.

“I’ve never seen Jonas like this about a girl. Ever,” he says. “I actually think this might be the real thing for him.”

“Really? Wow. Sarah said the same thing.”

“Awesome. I’d hate for Jonas to get his heart broken. He doesn’t put it out there very often. Looks like he’s fallen hard for this girl.”

I never thought for a minute aboutJonasgetting his heart broken—I’ve been too concerned about Sarah getting hers smashed to smithereens.

“Trust me, if anyone’s heart’s gonna get broken here, it won’t be Jonas’,” I say. “Sarah’s all in.”

“Well, good. I hope it works out for them. They’re awesome together.”

“Yeah, they are.”

“Okay, well . . .” he says. “Hopefully, I’ll get my ass back up there tomorrow on the first flight out, just in time for him to kick me out of his house again.” He chuckles. “So when I’m up there with nothing to do, maybe we’ll have a chance to hang out—maybe grab some dinner or drinks?”

“Maybe,” I say casually, but my heart’s racing. I’m sure he can hear me smiling over the phone line.

“Mmm hmm,” he says. “Okay, Party Girl with a Hyphen. I forgot we’re playing it cool. That’s fine. We both know how this ends—but, sure, we can play it that way.”

“I have no idea how this ends,” I say, my crotch tingling at the flirtatious tone of his voice.

“Oh, well, then, far be it for me to spoil the ending for you.” He pauses. “Well, I better go. Hang in there, Party Girl. I’ll be there soon and you can cry on my shoulder all you like.”

“Thanks. Maybe I’ll see you soon, Playboy.”

“Oh, you can count on it.”

Five

Josh

“Dude, pull your head out of your ass.Please,” I say. “She’s not gonna stay at her mom’s house forever.”

“I’m going fucking crazy,” Jonas mutters, gripping his steering wheel like a madman. “I’m about to fucking blow.”

I exhale and look out the passenger window of the car, trying to collect myself. My brother is a fucking lunatic. There’s no way around it. I truly thought dragging Jonas rock climbing all day would take his mind off Sarah—and, specifically, the fact that she’s decided to stay at her mom’s house to recuperate instead of Jonas’ (and also hasn’t been very communicative while she’s been there, either)—but I was wrong. Dead wrong. Not only did Jonas continue obsessing about Sarah throughout our climb today, he did it while I was trapped on a fucking mountain with him with nowhere to go. Jesus Christ. If I’d known Jonas was gonna drive me nuts during our entire climb, I would have just sat on his couch, watching basketball and drinking way too much beer. At least then I could have left the room occasionally to bang my head against the wall. Or, at the very least, numbed myself with way too much alcohol.

All I wanna do right now is call Sarah and say, “Whatever’s going on between you and Jonas, please just give the guy a fucking call and tell him whatever the fuck’s on your mind, good or bad, because until my high-strung brother hears from you and confirms whatever it is you’re thinking, he’s gonna be a fucking nightmare to be around.” But, obviously, I’m not gonna do that. The girl was stabbed. She’s probably scared and freaked out and maybe a little bit confused right now. She’s got plenty on her plate worrying about her own mental health without having to worry about Jonas’ too. I’ve gotto just let this thing take its natural course—and pray to God it goes Jonas’ way. Because after everything Jonas has had to endure in his life, I really don’t want his dream girl to shatter his heart, too.

“Jonas, I know it’s hard for you,” I say, “but you’ve just gotta let the girl sort her shit out. She’s been through a huge trauma. She probably just needs a little break. Be patient with her.”

“I don’t do patient.”

“No shit.” I roll my eyes. “But it’s only natural she’d want her mom after what she’s been through. I’m sure most people with a mother would react the same way.”

Jonas literally snarls at me.

I roll my eyes at him again. “Oh my fucking God. Jonas, I’m as motherless as you are. Obviously. I didn’t say that to twist some knife into your heart. I’m just saying we don’t know what it’s like to turn to a mother in a time of crisis—but other people do. Normal people.”

“But why isn’t she even talking to me?” Jonas says. “I understand her wanting her mom. But something’s off. I can feel it. And it’s fucking killing me.”

“Just give her a little space,” I mumble, but my tone isn’t compassionate. I’ve been with Jonas all fucking day. I’m all out of compassion. “Sarah wanting to be with her mother is no reflection on how she feels about you. Stop thinking everything’s about you all the time. You make me want to open my car door and hurl myself onto the freeway just to get away from you.”

Jonas grits his teeth as he glares out the windshield of his car. “Maybe I should drive over there?” he finally says. “Tell her how I feel?”

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