Page 78 of Fractured Souls
Bo’s foot is tapping lightly, and though Sawyer’s still talking, my focus is on him. Keeping my eyes straight ahead, I reach down and grab his fist, slipping my fingers between his. He looksat me and swallows with a soft smile, and I give his hand a little squeeze. “My mom is sick, so I’m grateful, you know.”
Oh shit, I definitely missed something big there. I hold Bo’s hand in mine. “I’m so sorry to hear that.”
Sawyer gives a sad smile, taking a sip of his wine. “My sister practically forced me out of the house. I’m usually baking or taking care of her.” He winces. “Which . . . hearing that back sounds like I have no time left for anything else. Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. I just need balance.”
“We all need balance.” Bo smiles at him. “What kind of guys do you usually date?”
Sawyer takes a sip of his drink. “I mean, I like guys who . . .” His cheeks pinken. “It’s lame, but I’m kind of a romantic. I like grand gestures and big moments. I like to feel special. It’s been a while since I’ve felt much of that.”
“It’s nice to feel like that, like you’re the center of someone’s world.” Bo’s fingers tighten in mine.
“Hunter thinks I’m too picky.” Sawyer smiles at his friend.
“That’s because you are too picky.”
“How did you and Hunter meet?” Bo asks.
“Back in college. We’ve been friends ever since.”
“How did you two meet?” Amira asks. I think she’s looking at Jamie and Noah, but then I see her looking at us. Bowen’s knee brushes my leg. It’s now I notice how close we are.
“Uh, we met in first grade.”
“My family immigrated here from Hong Kong when I was three. They home schooled me until my mother got a job, then I went to public school. I was really afraid and I latched onto the biggest kid I could find.” That’s not quite how we met at all, but I smile anyway.
“Had to get a bodyguard?” Amira laughs.
“You would think.” Bowen’s fingers slip out of mine to take a drink. “I expected backup. I did not expect a giant crier whoate yellow crayons, was afraid of butterflies, and lost pencils hourly.”
“Why the yellow crayons?” Jamie asks with a laugh.
“They taste best.” What a silly question.
Amira smiles, her eyes dancing on me. “So you guys have been that close ever since?”
“Yeah, I mean we went to different colleges. I dropped out when I was a sophomore. School wasn’t for me. I came back home, got hired at a gym, and I’ve been there ever since.”
“What about you, Bowen? When did you move back?”
“Uh . . .” Bowen’s eyes flick to mine, and I know what he’s saying without the words.
He came back for me.
He’s never admitted it, but part of me has always known. Bowen’s an incredible musician; he could play anywhere. Orchestras, concerts . . . anywhere. It’s crazy, because he thinks the restaurants he works at are doing him a favor, when it’s the other way around. They’re lucky to be able to listen to him every night for free. There’s a reason why these places are so packed on the nights he sings. He believes no one really listens to him, but that’s not true at all. Reservations are booked out weeks in advance. Bowen is incredibly talented. He could have gone anywhere.
But he came home to me.
“You’ve lived together ever since?”
“Actually, we’ve never really lived together.” That makes Noah frown. “Just here and there briefly.” Between relationships is what he doesn’t say. When I barge back into his life and let him take care of me. Bowen deserves better, he deserves Sawyer. Or someone like Sawyer. Someone motivated and low maintenance.
Jamie gets up, giving Noah a squeeze on his shoulder before taking the side steps around the house. “Anyone need a refill? I have more wine,” Noah asks.
My body feels restless. I need to get up and do something. “Where are you going?” Bo asks me.
“Just need to stretch my legs is all.” I ruffle his hair a bit. He looks up at me, and I notice the soft blush sprinkled across his face, and I almost lean in to kiss him.
What the hell is wrong with me?
