Page 184 of Hooking Up
"How?"
"It was barely a month ago you dragged her to rehab. You think I've forgotten? You were a fucking mess."
Maybe.
"I'm not an idiot. I get that we're not fifteen anymore. I get that you're gonna meet someone one day and it's gonna change shit. But you're better than this."
"Than what?"
"Than ditching your friends for a girl." He nods to his customer, now moving back to his suite. "You barely know her. How do you know she's worth it?"
"I do."
"And if you're wrong?"
"Guess I'm not telling you about it." I fold my arms.
"Fuck, you're stupid." He shakes his head. "Go home. Go to her. Whatever. Gym's off today. Gym's off for the immediate future."
"Dean, come on."
"Dean, what? You're gonna throw me some scraps? No thanks." He turns, shakes his head, saunters back to his suite.
Leighton presses her palms against the counter.
"You think he's right?" I ask.
She stares at her coffee cup. "You really found your sister high in your apartment?"
"Yeah."
She presses her lips together. "Why didn't you tell him?"
"I never tell anyone shit." And I don't fucking enjoy the way Leighton is staring at me right now. With all that pity in her eyes.
"I get it, Walker. I've been infatuated before. You can't get enough of them. You think it's never going to end."
"You saying it is?"
"The honeymoon ends, yeah. She might be the one. You might be forever. I hope so. She's cool and smart, and you deserve someone like that. But the infatuation… it's normal for you to forget your friends for a while. To get all wrapped up in them. But Dean—I'm pretty sure you and Ryan are the only people he trusts."
"Maybe."
"And it's not like Ryan is pouring his heart out over drinks."
"Yeah." Ryan is about as tight-lipped as it gets.
"The last few weeks, you've been different. In the clouds. Ignoring everybody here."
"Maybe."
"No. Definitely." She slides off her stool. "You don't have to apologize to me. I understand. Fuck, how I understand. But a girl's never come between you and Dean. And with Ryan… you can see why he's worried."
"Maybe."
"Your life. Do what you want."
"Doesn't always feel like it."
