Page 42 of Before You
“Awesome.” Charlie smiles at me, then hits Asher’s arm with the back of her hand. “Don’t be such a jerk,” she says, walking away as Asher laughs.
“Sorry about Charlie. She’s a lot at first—well, actually she’s like that all the time. You just get used to it.”
“It’s okay. She seems nice,” I say, and Asher flips his hat backwards.
“Nice until she’s making fun of you,” he grumbles, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Where are you headed? I’ll walk with you.”
“To the parking lot on the other side of campus. I didn’t get here early enough for the one next to the business building,” I say, and he grimaces.
“I think people sleep in that lot overnight to get a good spot for the next day,” Asher jokes, and there’s probably a very good chance people do that for one of the coveted spots.
“It wouldn’t surprise me,” I say, pulling my phone out of my back pocket. “I don’t think I have your number, but if you want to text yourself from mine, you can give me Charlie’s number.”
“You know, you don’t actually have to hang out with her. She means well, but I don’t want you to feel like you have to,” Asher says, waving at someone across the sidewalk.
“She seems really nice, but how do you know her?” I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.
“You didn’t notice the family resemblance?”
“Family?”
“Charlie’s my cousin. Our moms are sisters and both redheads, but I guess you can’t really tell since mine is more brown than red.” He laughs, pulling his hat off to show his hair, and I pick up more of the red tint to it now that I’m really looking for it.Oh my god.That’s why JJ was talking to her at the party—she’s Asher’scousin.
“Makes sense, but I could use some more friends here, so maybe it’s a good thing she wants to hang out,” I say and Asher shudders.
“You say that now. Wait until you’ve spent more than two minutes with her,” Asher says, matching my pace as we walk. He bumps my arm with his elbow. “So how’ve you been? I haven’t seen you around in a while, but I can’t really blame you. Trent’s an ass for what he did to you.”
“I’m definitely doing better than the last time you saw me, but I’m not going to disagree with you,” I say, laughing.
“You can do better than him.” Asher scoffs, and I think I have a feeling where he’s going with this. “The short hair looks good on you,” he says, playfully tugging at one of the strands.
I swat his hand away, laughing. “Is this your subtle attempt to tell me your best friend is the right person for me?”
Asher shrugs, playing this better than Bria has been. Maybe it should say something everyone in my life is rooting for him. “I mean, if you came to that conclusion on your own, I’m not going to disagree with you,” he repeats my words back at me, raising an eyebrow.
“How’s he doing?” I ask, unable to help myself.
There’s a flicker of hesitation in Asher’s expression, and I can tell he’s gauging how much to say. Asher’s a good friend, and I’m glad he’s in JJ’s corner. “He’s got some shit going on, but JJ’s dealing with it in his own way. I can say he misses you.”
I fidget with my ring, spinning it anxiously. I know JJ’s dealing with it, but how? He didn’t really seem like he was fine a couple of days ago. We spoke on the phone the last few nights, but I can’t tell if JJ is putting on the front he wears so well, or if he’s actually doing better.
“You’re keeping an eye on him, though?” I ask, needing to hear Asher say it.
“I am, but can I ask you something?”
I tuck my hair behind my ears as the wind tosses it in my face. “Sure.”
“How long are you going to make JJ wait for you? I know it’s not my place to say this, but I think you should know he’ll wait forever—even if it’s only for a minute of your time.” Asher’s dark gaze is trained on me when I turn up to look at him.
I respect him for asking the question, but I wish I had an answer.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
JJ
I’M TRYING.
I can stop if I want to, but if it can make me feel a little better tonight, then it might be worth it.
