Page 2 of 4th and Goal (Season of Change #4)

“Boy…that gurl lurves you!” Zoey teases as we take our seats on the other side of the dining room at the restaurant.

I had no idea that Lilly would be here, so it was a happy accident to run into her, though I could have gone without seeing Conner again…

ever. He rubs me the wrong way, always has.

I thought for a while that it was because of my feelings for Lilly, but after what just transpired, my instincts are telling me there is more going on than he lets on. I’m worried for Lilly.

“Shut up.” I tell her, picking up my menu and pretending to read it over. She laughs, looking over her own menu.

“Your ears are all red! I haven’t seen that in years. Since…since…what was that woman’s name, oh right!” She snaps her fingers like the answer just came to her. “Lilly!”

I set my menu down and glare at her, her smile only grows wider. “I don’t like you. Why did I invite you to stay with me?”

“Because I’m your favorite cousin.” She is, I can’t deny that.

“Seems debatable at this point.”

Her expression evens out, her dark eyes pinning me in place. “It’s been 6 years, dude. How long are you going to wait?”

“She was too young. Interning and finishing her degree. It wouldn’t have been right.” I’m 11 years older than Lilly.

“And now?”

I jerk my thumb over my shoulder, hissing, “She’s clearly involved with someone.”

“Not for long.” My head whips up at that assertion, my heart galloping in my chest. “Brody, you are so fucking smart…and yet, so damn stupid.”

“Listen here—”

“Shut it, grandpa. That woman lit the fuck up when she saw you. That isn’t just two friends or coworkers reconnecting after a couple weeks apart.”

“She’s never said anything, and she’s been dating—”

“Have you ever said anything to her? Given her any indication that you want more than friendship with her? I can see from the slump of your shoulders, that you haven’t.” She isn’t put off by my scowl, I don’t appreciate being called out. “You want her?” I nod curtly. “Then go get her.”

“She’s dating someone else, Zoey.”

Zoey picks her menu back up and starts reading it over again, waving off my comment with her free hand.

“People are good at hiding what they don’t want you to see, but tonight, she truly saw him for the first time.

There’s a crack in his armor. It’s just a matter of time before the rest of it falls apart. ”

“I’ve always thought…” I trail off but she meets my eyes encouragingly. “There’s something not right about him. I thought it was because of my feelings for her, but now…”

“That man is the Wish.com version of Christian Bale’s American Psycho.”

“Merica’s Maniac,” I say in a deep, southern accent and we both crack up. When we settle back down, our waiter approaches, we order our drinks and main courses, then relax in our seats. “What do I do now?”

Zoey shrugs with a sad smile. “You wait.”

“Fuck.”

“She needs to come to her own conclusions about him, and when she does, you’ll be there for her.

Then, when the time is right, you sweep her off her feet.

” I don’t like it, but I know she’s right.

Zoey might be years younger than me, but she’s got a good head on her shoulders.

“In the meantime, you’re gonna feed me, roll me back to your house, and tuck me in that big bed while you sleep on the couch. ”

“I did NOT agree to give up my bed when I said you could stay. You’re more than a foot shorter than me!”

Zoey grins maliciously, reminding me so much of my mom and her dad when they get started. “I know.”

“If I’m rolling you home, I’m rolling you right into the garage.”

“You might have played football in your college days, but I don’t imagine you’re as fast as you used to be. These years in security have made you soft.” She leans across the table, and I can’t help but laugh at her determined expression. “I’m younger, smaller, and wilier.”

“Why are you so mean to me? I’m heartbroken, watching the love of my life date another man, and you’re trying to steal the only place I can find any comfort. 1,000 thread count emotional support sheets.”

She frowns at me with a shake of her head. “They can continue to comfort you…on the couch.”