Page 91 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

“Okay.”

“But it’s hard. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Her eyes search mine and I can see confusion in them. “Hurt me?”

Bending forward, I press my forehead to hers. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Lexi.”

She pulls back and stares into my face. “You already apologized, Brock, and I’ve forgiven you. We’re good.”

She doesn’t get it. I’m not apologizing for what happened four years ago. I’m apologizing for what I’ve been doing since I came back. I’ve been playing with her emotions when I’m not ready for a girlfriend. I’ve been a selfish jerk.

But I can’t tell her this because I’d be admitting that I have feelings for her, which would make it harder for her to forget about me. But she needs to—she needs to move on and think about herself.

She squeezes my hand. “Let’s not talk about the past. We’re friends now. Best friends.”

I force a smile, though my lips tremble. “Yeah.” I avert my gaze. “How do you feel about Finn?”

“Huh? Finn? Why are you asking me about him?”

I turn to face her. “I see the way he looks at you. I’m pretty sure he likes you.”

She doesn’t say anything as she stares at the TV screen with the paused show. Then, “Oh, um…you think so?”

“I really do. He smiles this goofy smile every time you walk into the room. And he’s always sitting close to you. Haven’t you noticed?”

“Uh…” She plays with her hair. “Maybe.”

I force a grin. “He’s a great guy, Lexi. He cares about you a lot. I think he’d be the perfect boyfriend, if that’s something you want. He’ll treat you like more than a queen. He’ll give you the world.”

She just stares at me. “But don’t you…? I mean, I’ve always just seen him as a friend.”

My insides are zapped with energy. She doesn’t like Finn that way? It’s music to my ears, but I have to shut that off. Finn would be a good boyfriend to her. He’d care for her in a way I nevercould. I have too much baggage, too much pain and trauma. Finn isn’t like that.

“Sometimes friends make the best boyfriends,” I tell her with another forced smile. “Maybe you see him as a friend now, but once you guys get close, you might realize you have feelings for him, too.”

She’s quiet as she thinks it over.

The room is bathed in silence.

“He actually told me he liked me the day you came back to Edenbury,” she admits after a few minutes of silence.

He did? That gets me straight in the heart.

“That’s awesome,” I say lamely.

She nods.

“So…what are you going to do?”

She throws her hands up. “I don’t know. What do you think I should do?” She has an odd look on her face, like she’s waiting for me to say something. Does she expect me to admit I like her? I wish I could, so badly.

I shrug. “It’s not up to me. If you want to give him a shot, I think he’ll be good to you. I doubt you’ll find anyone who cares about your happiness more than him.”

She’s quiet again.

“It’s your decision. Only you know what or who is best for you.” I get to my feet. “I’d better go.”

“You’re leaving? We didn’t finish the show.”