Page 50 of A Necessary Nudge Out of the Friend Zone

Colton took in a deep breath and let it out. He lifted his gaze to meet hers. “A long time.”

“Since we were kids?”

Colton nodded.

That confirmed it. Colton hung out at her house all the time because he wanted to see Brooke. She thought about all the times they’d spent together. Was he always looking for Brooke, then? Was he simply using her?

Her gaze went to the empty space that had just been occupied by Brooke, remembering how he’d asked her to bring Brooke to the beach today. Was he still using her? Hurt swelled in her throat and tears pricked at her eyes.

“Remi,” he said softly. He took her hand, and she blinked, trying to get rid of the stupid tears.

“What?”

“I admit, I had a crush on your sister, but I became friends with you, not her. And I can safely say my crush is finally over.” He seemed quite sincere.

“Over?”

Colton nodded. “Yeah. I’m not crushing on your sister anymore. I swear.”

That did make her feel a little better.

Colton shifted closer to her. “I’m so glad we reconnected. I’ve missed you. I didn’t realize how much until I saw you again. I don’t even know why we drifted apart.”

Remi knew. She swallowed and stared at the clock on the wall. Those were memories she’d rather not revisit.

“What’s the matter?” Concern knit his eyebrows together.

She hadn’t meant to be so transparent. “Nothing.”

“Something.” He peered at her until she could no longer look away. “What is it?”

“I just made a mistake. That’s all.” She forced a smile.

“A mistake? Back when we drifted apart?” He pinched his lips together. “I remember you wouldn’t return my phone calls. Is that what you mean?”

Really? He was going to force her to talk about this? She pulled her hand back from him. “No. At the dance.”

He squinted at her. “That dance? What mistake? You mean you ghosting me? I thought you didn’t feel well so you left.”

And that gave him the right to make out with another girl? Anger rose in her thinking about that day. She clenched her fists. “I left after I saw you with that girl.”

“What girl?” He genuinely looked confused.

Had he forgotten? “That girl you were kissing in the closet.”

CHAPTER21

Colton stared at Remi, not understanding what she was saying. “What are you talking about? I didn’t kiss any girl.”

Remi narrowed her eyes at him. “How could you forget that? You were wearing that jacket I gave you.”

Colton raked a hand through his hair in frustration. “Someone stole my jacket that night, which totally sucked because I loved it so much.”

Remi’s eyes widened as she took in what he said. “Stolen?”

Sheesh, what a mess this was. Remi saw someone else wearing his jacket and thought it was him? Does she think he’d just make out with some random girl? Did she not know him at all?

He exhaled. To Remi, he must have looked like such a jerk. “Did you think I abandoned you that night for some girl? Is that why you got mad at me?”

---