Page 92 of Someone to Have
My brother starts the introduction, but Eric interrupts him with a grumbling, “We’ve met. He’s Rhett’s English teacher.”
“Right.” Toby gestures toward the two glasses of wine. “Hitting the Jesus juice hard for a Friday happy hour.”
I groan. “Seriously, Toby. Go. Away.” My face is burning as I turn to Bryan. “He’s talking about your wine.”
Bryan smiles. “I ordered the second one for Taylor.”
“Tink doesn’t drink wine,” Toby says, and Eric makes a sound—not quite a growl, but a low rumble in his throat, like he can’t believe I’m having drinks with someone who would order for me without knowing my preferences.
The grumbly edge does something dangerous to my pulse. It’s embarrassing how much I want to reach for him right now.
“It’s excellent, though,” I say quickly, ever the peacemaker. “I had a sip. We’re heading to a cast party after this. Just had a few notes on my performance to go over first.”
I’m not sure why I’ve suddenly got a bad case of verbal diarrhea. The whole point of my time with Eric was to prepare me for real-life dating, with Bryan specifically. Too bad being with my confidence coach feels more authentic than anything else.
“Got my ticket for opening night.” Toby smacks a hand on the table. “In fact, I bought seats for half the fire department. We’ll all be there.”
I blink. “You what?”
“Come on, Tink.” Toby grins. “This is your big moment. And to prove how much faith I have…” He gives an exaggerated wink. “I won’t wear a waterproof jacket.”
My gut clenches, but I know Toby means well. This is his attempt at support. Still, his words feel like a spotlight on everything that’s wrong with this moment.
“Let’s go,” Eric says. There’s an urgency in his voice that clearly says he can’t get away from this table fast enough, which stings more than it should.
“You coming to the hockey game tomorrow?” Toby asks.
“We have an extra rehearsal tomorrow,” Bryan answers for me.Another trait I don’t appreciate, even though I’ve been letting people talk for me most of my life.
“I’ll try to make part of it,” I say because I need to remind everyone that I have my own voice.
“Good ol’ Tink.” Toby pats my head like I’m a puppy. “We’ll let you get back to your date.” He turns his attention to Bryan and does that thing where he points two fingers at his own eyes then flips them and points at Bryan. A clear message: I’m watching you.
“Take care of my little sis,” he says conversationally, then nudges Eric. “Or it won’t just be me you have to answer to.”
“Got it,” Bryan agrees rather stiffly.
“Go away, Toby,” I repeat, even though my voice lacks conviction. Right now, I don’t want to be alone with Bryan and the growing certainty I’ve made a terrible mistake.
But when the two of them walk away, it’s not my brother I’m thinking about. It’s Eric. How his shoulders tensed when Bryan answered for me. That protective rumble. The way he looks at me like I matter.
As I watch him disappear into the crowd, I turn back to Bryan, who’s already reaching for his wine glass, completely oblivious to the fact that my heart just walked out the door with someone else.
30
ERIC
The imageof Taylor sitting across the table from Bryan Limpdick Friday night, with him gazing at her like she’s the lucky one instead of the other way around, is seared into my brain. I might as well have taken a mallet to the side of the head for as much luck as I’m having getting rid of it.
Tinkerbell going on a date with her knight in shining tighty-whities was one of the goals of this whole operation. But seeing the two of them together made it crystal fucking clear that it was a bad idea to let our relationship get physical.
What a giant dope-on-a-rope I am. Stupid me believed I was holding back because I didn’t want to inadvertently hurt her. Yet here I am, unable to get rid of the sharp ache in my heart.
We avoided each other yesterday, which about killed me. Especially when she showed up for the tail end of the hockey game with her hair and makeup all done up. I could tell by the smile on her face that she killed it at rehearsal. I wanted nothing more than to take her in my arms and hear all about what a fucking legend she is. Just like I’ve known all along.
But now it’s early Sunday morning and I follow Rhett into the hall just as Taylor steps out her door. My sister called yesterday toremind me that I promised to bring Rhett’s tutor for a visit. I hadn’t made the promise outright, but Jen expects it, and Rhett wants Taylor to meet his mom.
Now that the kid understands he has options other than blowing off school and pretending he doesn’t care about his grades and future, he’s eager to meet with the assistant principal to discuss an action plan that will help him thrive despite his challenges. Like me, he doesn’t want to take that step without his mom being on board. And if anyone can convince Jen this is the best plan, it’s Tinkerbell and her magic fairy dust.
