Page 70 of Extra Witchy

“That’syourproblem, dude.”

Sighing, Trev decided honesty was the best policy, so he wrote:We had stuff to talk about, and I asked to crash on his couch since Leanne’s hosting book club tonight.

Titus:My couch isn’t good enough for you anymore?

Trev:Sorry if you thought we were exclusive. I can’t be tied down to one couch.

Dante leaned over to read his screen and broke into quiet laughter. “Are you flirting with him or what? But for real, itishard to bind somebody to a couch, unless it’s one with removable cushions and wooden armrests.”

Trev regarded him with equal measures amusement and trepidation. “Is that personal experience? And…does this look like flirting? We always joke around this way.”

“Honestly—and don’t take this the wrong way—but I had a bet going with Miguel and Calvin.”

Trev tilted his head, wary but curious. “About what?”

“We thought you and Titus would end up together.”

Trev laughed. “Were you shipping us?”

“Maybe a little,” Dante mumbled.

“Did you lose money?”

“Twenty bucks. Miguel bet you’d both find other people, so that lucky bastard is up forty dollars because of Danica and Leanne.”

From all angles, Trev turned the idea over. “I wouldn’t have been opposed to it, but I don’t think Titus was ever into me that way. We’re friends, and for a long while, I suspect he felt sorry for me. I was…”No need to sugarcoat it.“I was a mess for years, dude.”

“You had some stuff to work out. When relationships end, there’s always one person who takes it hard, usually the one getting left.”

Trev nodded because there was no arguing any of that. “You’re a wise man.”

“If only my ex believed that.”

“I never asked about the divorce when it went down, but if you want to talk about…” Trev trailed off because maybe that was intrusive.

“There isn’t a whole lot to say. Bettina and I had only been dating a few months when we found out about Evonnie. We weren’t in love, but I proposed because it was the right thing to do. Bets said yes for the same reason. But…you can’t hold a relationship together with that. We’re not compatible atall. She’d pick at the way I wash the dishes. I couldn’t stand her crap all over the bathroom. There was nothing dramatic about the ending. We just realized twenty years of bickering would hurt Evonnie more than an amicable breakup while she was a baby.”

“That’s a mature way to look at it.”

“The hardest part is being divorced already. I feel like people look at me different when I’m dating now. One failed marriage, check. Already got a kid, check. Without knowing me, they make all kinds of judgments about my character. I’m already working against a bias.” Dante tried to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Who knows, you and I could end up in the same boat,” Trev said, trying to take a light tone toward it.

Evidently, it didn’t work, judging by Dante’s expression. “Did something happen between you and Leanne? For you to be talking that way.”

“I don’t know,” Trev said. “Life comes at you fast. I do want to believe things will work out, but I can’t fully trust they will.”

“Well, whatever happens, man, I’m here for you.” Dante patted his shoulder and went back to watching the game.

Trev’s phone vibrated again.Stop trying to make me jealous. But seriously, I’m glad you’re connecting with Dante. You’re awesome, and lots of people care about you.

Trev took comfort in that assertion even as he fought the certainty that the rising wind presaged rough weather, and this was the calm before the storm.

Chapter 23

It was 3:00 a.m. when most of the coven departed, finally satisfied with the superior spell work that should protect Trev from all encroachment.

After everyone else left, Leanne said to Vanessa, “Why don’t you stay?”

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