Page 82 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

My lips move, but no sound comes out. I avert my gaze to my comic. “Maybe.”

His chest heaves again. “I’ve been trying so hard to be patient, Lexi. But it’s like you’re pretending it doesn’t exist.”

My gaze shoots to his. “What are you talking about?”

“What I told you three weeks ago? I know you didn’t forget.”

I turn my head away and play with my hair again. “I didn’t mean to leave you hanging. I just…” I puff out my cheeks. “I just haven’t had the time to make sense of everything. Things have been turned upside down since Brock came back. Everything is…different.”

Finn is quiet for a long time. I have no idea what expression he’s wearing because I’m too scared to look at him. I wouldn’t be able to stand seeing the pain I’m causing him. I’m just so confused about the whole thing. Everything was easier when I saw Finn as just one of the guys. Not…a potential boyfriend.

“Lexi?”

I slowly move my eyes to him.

“If Brock hadn’t returned, would you consider me?”

Wow. Talk about a direct question. But I guess he deserves a direct answer. “Honestly? Maybe. You’re such a nice guy and have always been so cool to me. Plus, we’ve known each other forever. It would make sense.”

“Yeah, it would,” he says softly.

“But the thing is, Brockisback. And like I said, everything is different.”

Finn is quiet again.

I take his hand. “I’m so sorry, Finn. I don’t want to hurt you. I’m just being honest.”

“It’s okay.” He gives me a small smile. “I get it. Things might change. Your feelings might change.”

I bite my lip. “Yeah, maybe.”

He gives me another smile before putting his attention back on his comic.

I watch him for a few seconds before focusing back on mine, trying not to let the guilt consume me.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Brock

Lexi and I are texting about random things after dinner as I’m doing my math homework. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

I finished my portrait of her in art class yesterday and I’m pleased to say it didn’t suck. Lexi will be painting me at our next class.

Lexi: You know, you’re distracting me from studying for my psychology test, you bad boy.

Brock: Can’t help being so irresistible.

Lexi: You irresistible? Nope. I’m avoiding the test.

Brock: Suuuure. Need help?

Lexi: No, thanks. I just need to concentrate. See ya tomorrow at school.

Brock: See you and good luck!

Lexi: Thanks.

As I drop my phone, my eyes catch sight of the bandage on my left palm. I think back to how Lexi fixed me up and how close we were to one another. My heart was pounding in my chest, so strongly I thought Lexi for sure heard it. It’s thumping the same way now.