Page 179 of Tech Bros

With that, Evan snaps his laptop shut. “I didn’t let you in here so you could guilt me. He wrote me first. I was responding. I’m not sending your boyfriend love letters. I hope he told you that, too.”

“I’m not—no. I mean, yes. He did. This isn’t about guilt, or it’s nothing bad. I’m just saying he misses you. Like he feels like you’re missing.”

“But you’re the one here.”

“You left because of me.”

“I had a job opportunity. Hunter’s paying me an insane amount of money to do basically the same thing I would have been doing for Polytech if Isaac ever got around to?—”

“And that’s the only reason?”

Evan scowls. “What do you mean?”

“You’re not like—withhim?”

“No.”

I drove all this way, so I face the situation between us head on. “Did you ever consider us friends?”

“You know I did.”

I nod. “Why did you leave without telling me? And don’t say you left me a letter because you and I both know that doesn’t count.”

Evan’s eyes widen. “I actually thought a letter would be better for you.”

I scowl. “Why?”

“Because face to face, we sometimes don’t communicate all that well. Or at all.”

“Are you saying I misunderstood something?”

“Maybe. I’m almost positiveIdid.”

“No,” I say plainly. “I don’t think you did. I meant what I said, I just shouldn’t have said it.”

I can tell how hard Evan is listening because the vein in his forehead is standing out. “You shouldn’t have been honest?”

“Not while I was upset. I was in my head. It made it hard to see or hear you. But, if you would have stuck around and waited until I calmed down, I was gonna try again.”

“I’ll be honest, too, then. ” He drops his gaze. “The damage was already done. I still can’t unhear what you said.”

“I’m not expecting you to unhear it. I just want to know what’s next.”

The truth is I never meant forthisto happen. Gray never said anything like this was possible. If he had, I would havedefinitelykept my fucking mouth shut and not basically accused Evan of trying to take Isaac from me. Those were my feelings, and if I kept them private, they might have changed.

Instead, they pushed him away. And not just away—he’s living in fucking LA.

“You and Isaac live happily ever after?”

“What about what’s next for you and me?”

“Did you still want to be friends?” he asks.

“I do.”

After a deep breath, Evan gives me a small smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Sounds good. And I appreciate your help,” he says quietly. “Anything else you need to get off your chest?”

“I’m sort of wondering how you’re doing.”If it was worth it.