Page 10 of The Fangirl and the Crooner

The relationship between Bram and me isn’t in a place where we can coexist as happy roommates. It’s going to be awkward and uncomfortable, at the very least. He’ll try to avoid me, changing his routine in his own home just to do so, and I’ll tiptoe around, doing everything I cannotto be a nuisance and make him hate me more than he already does.

Sure, he’s the one that suggested we try to move past everything that’s happened, but I’m convinced that was for everyone else’s benefit. Bram wouldn’t want his beef with me to affect the overall group dynamics, after all. And I wholeheartedly agree. I don’t want that, either.

But I also want him to truly forgive me. To give me a chance to earn his trust back.

I take a deep breath and hold it for a moment. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to do just that. If I’m living in Bram’s house, he can’treallyavoid me, can he? Not completely, anyway. I can show him I’m the same girl he liked before I messed up, and that I’ve learned my lesson and will never do anything like that again.

After dinner, the guests linger for a while, and I pretend to be relaxed as my mind continues to swirl. Eventually, Willow and Gavin say their goodbyes and head out. Bram rises from the table right behind them, and after giving Keegan and Trace hugs and thanking them for dinner, he moves in my direction. I push myself to my feet, holding his gaze as he approaches.

Is he rethinking his offer? Has he been waiting for a semi-private moment to rescind the invitation?

“I’ll be by in the morning with a key for you,” he whispers, and my breath hiccups in my chest before relief washes through me.

“Thank you, Bram,” I say, injecting more meaning into my tone so he knows I’m not just thanking him for the key.

“Of course,” he says, then shifts his weight and leans forward before jerking back like he’s not sure if he can––orshould––hug me.

I feel the urge to make the decision for him, to pull him into my arms and hold him tight, but I chicken out and remain frozen, waiting to see what he’ll decide. His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, then he shakes his head slightly before taking a small step backward.

“Good night,” he says, and I temper my disappointment while offering him a soft smile.

“Good night, Bram.”

I head for my room after calling out a goodnight to Keegan and Trace, who are cleaning up the kitchen, and though I feel guilty for not helping them, I really need some time alone to decompress.

Collapsing on the bed, I groan into the mattress. I hate feeling so awkward with Bram, but it is what it is. I drove us to this point, but he seems willing to…what? Let bygones be bygones? Try to be friends again?

I don’t know if he has any idea what he wants. It could’ve just been instinct, some white knight impulse to save me when I needed him. Whatever his motivation,though, I’m going to prove to him that I’m the person he thought I was before I messed up.

There’s a light tap at my door, and I roll over onto my back before sitting up. The door creaks open, and Keegan pokes her head through the crack. Seeing I’m still dressed, she smiles and slips inside before closing the door behind her.

“How are you holding up?” she asks as she moves toward me.

“I don’t really know,” I say, patting the mattress beside me in an invitation for her to sit. “I’m confused, obviously. Bram has barely said three words to me since I…did what I did, and now he’s suddenly inviting me to be his roommate?”

“He’s a good man, and he cares about you, Pressley,” she says, and when I open my mouth to argue, she holds up a palm, silencing me. “He’s been angry, sure, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be angry forever. Maybe he’s decided it’s time to put the past where it belongs…in the past. Or maybe he’s just being generous. He has an empty room and you need a place to stay. People take roommates all the time. It’s no big deal. But either way, Pressley, this is your chance to fix things with him. To show him he can trust you again.”

“I already thought of that, actually,” I admit, feeling my cheeks heat.

“Good,” she says, nodding. “I believe you can do it. But if for some reason you can’t, if he remains bullheaded and stubborn, it only has to be for two weeks. Once my parents leave, you’re more than welcome to come right back here.”

“Thanks, Keegs,” I whisper, my eyes burning with emotion. I wave a hand to motion around the room. “And not just for this. For forgiving me when I brokeyourtrust. For giving me a chance to prove I can be the friend I’m supposed to be.”

“Stop before you make me cry,” she says, reaching out to yank me in for a tight hug. “I love you, you know that?”

I nod against her shoulder. “I love you, too.”

“Now,” she says, pushing me back so she can meet my eyes, “let’s do a little online shopping so you can pick out some sexy pajamas to wear around the house in front of Bram.”

A laugh bursts out of me as I shake my head. “Oh, no. Absolutely not.”

“Fine,” she says with an exaggerated eye roll. “You’ll come around, eventually. I’ll do some searching and have a few options for you to choose from when you’re ready.”

I shake my head again, chuckling, then sober as I search her gaze. “You really think everything is going to work out?”

“Absolutely,” she says, no question in her voice at all. “You and Bram will mend your friendship first, then it will grow into more. I know it will. It’s meant to be.”

Chapter

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