Page 13 of 4 Hints You Love Your Best Friend

“Lennon was pretty down, barricading himself in his room. Didn’t always respond well to Jake’s pushiness. Jake knew I’d go in with a softer touch.”

He also somehow knew Lennon would be a natural leader and would thrive working outside. With me, he understood I needed the outlet of a physical job. He gave me a place where I could smash things productively and let out my angst. Use my analytical mind to plan projects. At his urging, I started working construction. We eventually began building a business together. Shared an apartment in Houston, even though I think he’d have rather lived alone.

For ten years, the oldest Bower took care of his family, clueless to the pain I caused him before our father ruined our lives. Now I can finally do something concrete for Jake and help him win Jolene back.

Silence descends between Jo and me. My right side tingles from our proximity on the bench—too much body heat to think straight. I shift away, clench and stretch my fingers.

She angles toward me, takes a breath like she’s about to speak, but she shakes her head and rubs her palms down her thighs. A second later, she lifts her chin. “I probably shouldn’t ask this, but have you ever—”

“Jo!” At the sound of Jake’s booming voice, Jo startles and scoots away from me.

I have no clue what she was about to say. The vulnerability in her hesitant tone felt important, but she was probably just going to ask,Have you ever eaten chocolate-covered snails?

“Glad I caught you before the festival was over.” Jake gives Jo his signature smolder. “I heard you were looking for me.”

She squints at him. “You did?”

As far as I know, Jo hasn’t been looking for him. My instigated rumor mill has likely taken on a life of its own.

“Guess my timing was good,” he goes on. “Now we can hang out without me having to ingest broccoli.”

“You could use the nutrients,” I say a little too loudly. I stand from the table and cross my arms. “When Jake and I lived together,” I tell Jo, “he only ate foods in the animal or beer food groups.”

He hooks his thumb toward me. “This from the guy who had a list of rules on how I had to tidy the bathroom after I shaved or showered.”

I blink at him. “Because you left the place looking like a chaotic flea market.”

“Or you’re justanal.”

Jo quirks an eyebrow at me. “You didn’t use to be a clean freak.”

I didn’t. WITSEC changed us all in different ways. “Like I said, this guy gives Pig-Pen a run for his money.”

I offer Jake a placid expression. No point getting worked up. It’s not like I need to impress Jolene, and this conversation makes me extra thankful Jake didn’t want to move in to my two-bedroom duplex here. “Now that you live in your own bachelor pad, you can be as big of a slob as you want.”

“I’m not a slob,” he tells Jo. “I’m just relaxed, and my apartment is small but nice. I was actually wondering if you wanted to come over for dinner tonight.”

A weird pain cramps my stomach. Probably too much broccoli.

Jo’s attention darts to me, her brows puckered. She for sure feels badly about ditching me to hang out with Jake. A problem I can solve for her.

“Wow,” I say, glancing at the time on my phone. “Turns out I need to leave. Promised the Liangs I’d get started on their fence.”

“On a Saturday?” Jake asks, always in my face about working too much.

“Yep.” I give Jo a strained smile. “Thanks for a fun day.”

Two steps away, Jake grabs my arm and forces me to face him, keeping our backs to Jo. “Are you working this hard because you need money? If you do, all you have to do is ask. I’ll help you out.”

A slick of guilt coats my gut.

Before WITSEC, Jake was a solid guy, but also cocksure and sometimes arrogant. Friends came easy for him. Everything in life went his way. He was quick with a smile and was good to his family, but his needs often came first.

Then our worlds got turned upside down.

Over the past twelve years, Jake has grown into a steadfast man. He’s selfless and compassionate—a take-charge guy, who is direct and upfront.

Unlike me, who’s been less forthright.

---