Page 2

TWO

BANE

It’s been three hours since Jerryn got the text from Alec, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. Even with the crowded streets and festivalgoers, the food stands and vendors, the noise and chaos, my thoughts are still stuck on my best friend and the guy who came close to taking him away from me.

Jerr downplayed it in front of the guys, but I know he really liked Alec.

He hoped he was finally the one, but like the selfish prick I am, I couldn’t be happy about it.

Alec wasn’t good enough for him then and I doubt he is now.

He probably figured out what he lost and now he’s going to try to woo him back.

Indy bumps his arm against mine, raising an eyebrow at me. “Dude, you look like someone pissed in your cereal.”

I blow out a breath, dragging a hand through my hair and watching Jerryn pick through tacky trinkets at a street cart.

“I’m alright.”

“Yeah, right. Want to talk about it?”

I shrug, shoving my hands into the front pockets of my jeans. “I don’t like Alec.”

Indy chuckles. “That’s obvious. You sure it’s not a little deeper than that?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s about how you feel about Jerr, right?”

I know all the guys are onto me. They have been since we moved back to Willow Bay. Everyone seems to know that I’m totally stuck on Jerryn except Jerryn. He’s either oblivious or willfully ignorant, and I’m too chickenshit to find out which.

“Probably.”

Indy chuckles, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me into him until I laugh too and playfully shove him away.

“There’s an easier way to deal with this, you know. Just tell him.”

“Easy for you to say. I have my reasons.”

Indy nods. “Alright, man. You’re an adult. I guess you know what you’re doing.”

“But?”

“I didn’t say but.”

“I can sense it. Go ahead and say what you want to say.”

“Okay, I’ll say it. There’s nothing fucking better than love, man. Nothing. You guys mean the world to me, and Moby’s is awesome. I love this life we created, but having Salem…” He shakes his head as a lovesick grin blooms on his face. “Nothing fucking better.”

“I’m happy for you guys.”

“I want that for you and Jerr. You belong together.”

I nod, waving as Jerryn turns to show me a cheap statue of the city skyline, a childlike grin on his face.

“I don’t know where to start. All these years, all the things we’ve shared, we’ve never… Not even close.”

There’s no way I’m telling Indy or anyone else about the things Jerryn shares with me and why it’s been so hard for him to find a relationship.

“I don’t think that’s the kind of relationship he wants with me.”

“Well I think you should talk about it instead of assuming things. Just my opinion though.”

“Maybe. I want him to be happy, that’s all.”

“Yeah? And if Alec makes a play, you’ll be cool with that?”

I glare at Indy. He knows he’s poking the bear. “Yeah, no.”

“Your call, man.” He squeezes my shoulder. “But if I were you, I wouldn’t waste any more time. You already have a whole life together. All you’re missing is romance.”

Which is kind of a big deal.

“Did you see this?” Jerryn says, holding out another ridiculous souvenir. “These are hilarious.”

I gently shove Indy’s arm and walk over to look at the items with my best friend. I don’t know what it will take for me to get off the fence and fess up that I want so much more with him. Maybe I’ll wake up one day and confess, but that day isn’t today.