Page 35 of Fireworks

Chapter Thirteen

*****

Nate

“As I live and breathe, he’s back home!”

Her arms welcomed me into a bear hug as I walked in the front door.

“You’re so dramatic. I’m sorry to bother you like this. You’re sure it’s okay?”

Smiling back at me, she nodded.

“For you it’s always fine, however you are going to need to explain why and how you got out of your family dinner and are here right now.”

Bridget closed the door behind me as I made my way to the couch, sitting down, not sure exactly what the hell to say.

“It involved lying to my mom and Evie, so basically I’m going to hell.”

Her laughter filled the room.

“Oh please. Like you and Asher never lied to her growing up. You want a beer?”

Making her way into the kitchen, I could hear the fridge open and glass clang together.

“Sure. How’s everything been going foryou?”

I hadn’t talked to Bridget in about a week, so there wasn’t much I didn’t know about her life. Who ever said guys and girls can’t be friends without catching feelings was insane.

“Well, as you can see, I still have my apartment, so there’s that.”

Handing me a beer, she fell onto the couch beside me.

“Other than that, not much. I kicked that asshole to the curb. Honestly, I regret not giving Asher the chance over the summer. Don’t you ever tell him that, especially now with him down in Texas, there’s no chance I can compete with that.”

Bringing the bottle to my lips, I tilt it back, taking in as much as I can.

“You know he would pay for you to come down there. He still has a thing for you.”

Her eyes lit up, but the shimmer of hope quickly faded away. If only she would allow herself the hand that was being extended to help her.

“I couldn’t ask him to do that.”

“Then I will.”

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, she reached over and grabbed it from my hand. Looking down at my phone, she shook her head in disapproval.

“Still hung up on her, I see.”

My cheeks got hot with her eyes on me. It wasn’t my fault that I couldn’t bring myself to take her photo off my phone. It made it feel like it was over, and I couldn’t accept that. Not yet.

“Doesn’t matter. She’s got a boyfriend now that she brought home for the holidays.”

Her brow rose slightly as she handed me back my phone.

“And that right there explains why you’re on my doorstep today. Guess you didn’t have a talk with her either, then?”

Shaking my head as I finished the beer in two swigs as she continued.