Page 45 of Tell Me When It's Over

Maybe our friendship was doomed from the start. We’d make up, talk for a couple weeks, and then fight again when she pushed for more details on her favorite celebrity. After six months of it, I stopped replying to her emails altogether and she figured out I was done for good.

For some reason, my mind wanders to Chase. He could be my friend. I mean, according to him, we already are. I guess he’s not far off since we talk every night about everything or nothing at all. There’s no pressure.

I’m not sure what I want, even if Mia is trying to steer me toward him. Asking Kyler is pointless because I know the decision is only up to me. He hasn’t said much about Chase since I told him we texted back and forth, leaving his opinion open for debate. He’s been…strange. And I can’t help but wonder if it’s because I fell asleep in his room—invaded his privacy. He hasn’t brought it up, acting like it never happened, and I go along with it because it seems like that’s what he wants.

But I think about it. More than I should.

When I clock out, I’m hesitant to go outside and wait for Kyler. Checking my phone, my nerves disappear when I see a text from him saying he’s in the back lot by the side exit. I say goodbye to Mel and Quinn, who both wave me off, and head out.

Kyler gets out of the car, heading my way, and startles when I walk over and wrap my arms around his midsection for a tight hug.

It takes him a few seconds, but he eventually winds his arms around my back and squeezes me to him, resting his cheek on the top of my head. “What is this for?” he asks softly.

Inhaling the scent of our laundry detergent and the expensive soap he uses, I nuzzle my cheek into his chest and admit, “Just because I wanted to.”

Because I want to make sure we’re okay.

I know it’s probably not smart to be out when there were people here for me earlier, but I used to enjoy coming home from school and being greeted by Kyler like this. I miss it. He’s always given the best hugs, and they haven’t changed. If I could, I’d get them every day, feel his strong arms wrap me up, his warm breath on my hair, and listen to the smile in his voice whenever he’d ask how my day is.

“You ready to head home?”

I peel myself away even though I want to stay like that for a lot longer and smile up at him, repeating the word in my head. Home. All I do is nod and let him guide us to the car. The talk we need to have can wait because he puts on music we both like, pulls out of the parking lot, and starts singing along to the music.

When I lean my head back against the headrest to watch him, he notices me and grins.

“Do you miss it?” I ask.

He blinks, eyes going back to the road.

All he answers with is, “Sometimes.”

Then starts singing again.

Chapter Thirteen

Leighton / Present Day

My hair is tied up in a wet bun atop my head when I walk downstairs to get something to eat for lunch. The summer heat has been brutal lately and it’s making me extra lazy, so my free time is being spent in my room with a fan pointed on me while I reread cheesy bodice-ripping romances.

I don’t think much about donning my it’s-too-hot-for-clothes attire until I’m standing at the fridge when two different voices approach. My gaze shifts from the contents of the refrigerator that I’m about to raid, to Kyler and Gordy, both staring at my very bare legs in the indecently small booty shorts. If I tug on them, I’ll be flashing something totally different, and this will be about ten times more awkward.

“Hey,” I offer weakly, hiding myself partially behind the fridge door. It’s just them, so it could be worse. Plus, they’re both shirtless and in loose shorts to keep cool so it isn’t like they don’t understand the torture.

“Leighton,” Kyler says slowly, eyes still on what’s visible of me, which happens to be a lot. A lot of leg, and a lot of torso because the tank I slid on before coming down is one that’s too small in both size and length and doesn’t cover all of my stomach. I’m not even wearing a proper bra since the top has a built-in one. “Why the hell are you wearing your underwear?”

Gordy chokes out a laugh and has the decency to look away, staring at something on the other side of the kitchen.

My cheeks blaze. “They’re not underwear!” I guess I can see why he’d think they are, but still. “And it’s hot. Can you blame me? I swear the A/C isn’t working.”

Kyler mumbles something under his breath that has Gordy’s brows going up as he looks at his friend.

When I sneak a peek at Ky, fighting a frown, I see something in his eyes flare as he locks his gaze at my lower half. It’s evident I don’t work out and enjoy my carbs, that’s for sure. Unlike him, whose runner’s body is built with lean muscle, mine is fuller

and I’m okay with that. In a weird way, I’m proud. I did what I could to eat so I didn’t have to starve until my next paycheck.

Right now, that tiny victory feels heightened when Kyler’s eyes trail back up me. Even though it happens within seconds, it feels like he’s taking his time now that I’m on full display. He doesn’t hide his lingering eyes, and it makes me feel…elated. Confused but excited.

That quickly goes away though.

---