Page 87 of An Unexpected Everything
“I’m thinking of asking Amy to move in with me,” I blurted.
We spoke through our headsets, the sounds of the engine loud within the small compartment. But even with sunglasses on, and that huge headset, I saw the way Joshua’s eyes widened with his eyebrows lifting. “Really? I didn’t think she was really your type.”
I frowned. “What the hell do you mean by that?”
My best friend winced. “Sorry. I just, well, I thought you guys were just having fun? I didn’t know it was serious.”
“I think it is.”
“Do you love her?” Joshua asked.
Surprised, I just blinked at my friend. “I don’t even know what love is really. But I like being with her. And she makes me happy.”
“Okay, so that’s a no.”
“Why are you acting like this? I figured moving in with each other was just the next thing to do right? I suck at dating. We both know this.”
“Considering Amy’s your fourth girlfriend in how many years?”
“In a year.” I swallowed hard, ignoring that familiar sliver of doubt that always threatened when it came to settling down. “Which seems like a lot in retrospect, but Amy’s great.”
“I’m sure she is.”
I glared at my best friend. “I’m not a player like some people think. I just can’t find the right person.”
“And Amy’s that right person?”
Unsettled, I shrugged. “Maybe.”
Jousha fiddled with a few things on the dash. “Okay, if that’s what you think.”
“That doesn’t sound very helpful.”
The other man let out a breath. “I’m not trying to be helpful. I’m trying to be your friend. I mean, you were there for me when Harper needed me. When my parents died and the grandparents were hell-bent on trying to split us apart.Youwere there for her to open up her shop. To make sure I knew what I was doing in each of our businesses. You’re thebest, man. Fuck whatever your daddy thought. And fuck the fact that your mom thought that she was going to mold you into a perfect pawn.”
I swallowed hard at that diatribe, wondering exactly how long Joshua had been holding on to this particular rant. “Why does that make me sound weak?”
“No, it makes you sound like you had family issues. Believe me. I know what you mean.”
“This is about me and Amy. Not my past.”
“Okay then. Ask her to move in. If she says yes, I’ll be right there with boxes and tape to help. I promise. But Amy?—”
“But Amywhat?” I bit out, annoyed now. I thought Joshua would be happy for me finally trying to settle down. Joshua didn’t have a serious girlfriend, but he had one at one time. And he was still looking for that perfect person. They didn’t have to be perfect, just perfect for him. That’s what I thought I was doing with Amy.
Once again, Joshua was quiet. “I love you, Dorian. You’re my best friend. And I’m sorry if I’m off base. If I’m wrong, then you can punch me in the face later. But I don’t know if you’re truly seeing what we see.”
“Who is we?”
“I misspoke,” he said quickly, and I didn’t believe him. “But Dorian? Amy likes Fun Dorian. Club Owner Dorian. Cage Money Dorian.”
“That’s a fucking lie.” I practically spat the words into the headset.
“If that’s what you think. But I think it’s the truth.”
“Just because you can’t get a woman to actually love you doesn’t mean you have to shit on my relationship.”
I didn’t even realize the words were out of my mouth until they filled the small cabin. And they were such a goddamn lie, that I hated myself.
