Page 101 of I Can't Help It

“I still care about her and how she’s doing.” He offers a shrug. “Plus, I figured if she started dating someone, that would probably mean it was time for me to start again, too. I don’t know. It sounds weird out loud, but it made sense in my head.”

None of this makes sense to me.

“You don’t want a second chance with Ava? At all? Nothing?”

“Nope.”

“And yesterday, you knew almost right away that something was going on between us?”

“Yep.”

“I can’t believe this is happening.” I curse again. “So, do you hate me? I know I should’ve said something last month when I first started catching feelings for Ava—”

“I don’t hate you,” he cuts me off with a scowl. “I am, however, offended that you thought I wouldn’t notice your ginormous crush on her.”

“I’m sorry that I tried to keep it a secret, Wy,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “Do you think you can forgive me for messing up and breaking bro-code?”

“Hmm, I could probably do that…” He strokes his short beard. “How are you planning on making it up to me though?”

I offer a grim smile. “What do you have in mind?”

The last time I “made it up” to him, I got stuck drinking one of his nasty protein shakes and there was almost another Pukey Lukey episode.

“I honestly don’t know yet. But don’t worry, I’ll think of something.”

“Wouldn’t you rather just kick my butt and get it over with?”

He shakes his head. “Nah, too easy. I’d rather wait until the perfect idea reveals itself to me.”

I deserve that.

“So, you and Ava like each other,” he drawls with creased eyebrows. “Ya know, it’s a little bit weird, but life is weird sometimes, and that’s okay. Everything happens for a reason, right?”

It’s moments like this where I wish I could be more like Wyatt, and just accept circumstances for what they are instead of overcomplicating everything. I don’t know how he does it.

“Are you sure?” I can’t help but ask. “Because I—”

“Luke, stop,” he interjects, placing both of his hands on my shoulders. “You don’t need my permission or my blessing to date Ava, but if it makes you feel better, I give you both. How’s that?”

It’s a relief. A huge, jumbo-sized relief.

“That’s good,” I say with a nod. “That’s really good. Thanks, Wy.”

“No prob, bro.” His hands drop from my shoulders. “Where is Ava anyway?”

Ava

How long am I supposed to stay in this bathroom? Sure, I have my phone to keep me occupied, but I’ve been playing LittleVille again and it’s sucking the life out of my battery.

Also, my butt is starting to hurt from sitting on the floor.

I guess I could’ve just slipped back into the main part of Luke’s room, but I’m a little paranoid to move. Why hasn’t Luke texted me some kind of “the coast is clear” message? I feel like it would be hard to forget that you have somebody hiding and waiting in your bathroom.

“Ava?”

My eyebrows crease at the sound of Luke’s voice, and I scramble to my feet.

However, before I can say anything or even touch the door, it slides open.

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