Page 3 of Cross-Check

“What?”

“Are you ever going to tell me what happened?” Her words shock me.

She hasn’t asked once about it. I thought she took Grace’s side to heart and decided she didn’t need to know mine.

I start walking, and she falls into step beside me. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Mom sighs. “Kellan Henry Cooper, I didn’t raise you to be a liar. Now tell me what happened between you two. You know I already know parts of it. Tell me why you have been moping all summer.”

I cringe, hating when she says my full name. It makes me feel like I’m five all over again and in trouble for spilling paint all over her freshly shampooed carpet that ended up having to be replaced.

My jaw clenches. “Long story short, I admitted to Grace I had feelings for her, but it was too late. She had already started dating Clay, and shit got messy.”

She makes a noise of disappointment, making me hang my head.

“You know, I knew this would happen,” she admits.

Frowning, I look over at her. “What do you mean?”

She looks at me with pity before looking back down the street. “You, my boy, have always gotten what you wanted when you’ve wanted it. You’ve always been good at everything and have never struggled. Everyone knew that Grace had feelings for you, but we watched you ignore them. It was clear that you thought she would just wait, but a girl like her, she won’t wait forever, and you learned that the hard way.”

I grunt, not wanting to tell her she’s not wrong.

“Do you want to know what I think?”

“What’s that?”

“You and Grace used each other as a crutch. You knew that no matter what, the other would be there, and you were comfortable with each other in a way you were never comfortable with anyone else. But for a real relationship, Kellan, you have to embrace the discomfort at times. You have to be willing to fall, and that was never going to happen with you two. Don’t get me wrong, I think you love each other, but not in the right way. Grace was always supposed to be your friend and never your lover.”

“You think so?”

“I do. I think the little bit of time and space between you two was probably a good thing too, even though it was hard to watch. Now you can rebuild, if you’re willing, a friendship as adults. You can support her in her relationship with Clay while looking for the woman you are supposed to spend the rest of your life with. Just don’t rush and settle. You need to take some time and work on yourself first.”

I chuckle. “I don’t plan on settling down anytime soon, so don’t worry.”

“Good. I know I’ve enjoyed not having a new girl in my home every couple of months. I think this dating hiatus has been good for you. Now how about we head home and start working on that list of things you need?” She loops her arm through mine.

Maybe she’s right. Maybe Grace was always meant to be someone I loved in an innocent sort of way. Maybe there’s a woman out there who really is meant to be my other half. I guess I should start to figure out how to fix my friendship with Grace before it’s too late.

one

ONE MONTH LATER

Looking around my dorm room, I can’t help but smile.

I made it.

There were a few times when I wondered if I would be able to make the grades to qualify for a grant so that I could go to college. It was conflicting for me.

Part of me is happy to be here at the same college as my older brother. It feels nice to be out of the house and on my own. No one to answer to but myself.

On the other hand, I was never sold on college. I know I need a degree, but not knowing what I want to do with my life has me wondering if this is all a waste of time and money.

“Do you love it?” Grace asks.

I shrug. “It’s a small room. Are you going to be able to put up with me?” I ask Peyton.

She smiles. “Can’t be any worse than Grace here. Besides, I work a lot, so I won’t even be here most of the time.”

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