Page 40 of The Bro Date (Best Bros Forever #2)

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

TOBY

T he symphony and concerto went better than I could have hoped for, despite all the anxiety leading up to it.

Having all my friends, my grandparents, and my amazing boyfriend there supporting me and openly being proud of me meant more than any of them could have realized.

My professor was thrilled with my performance, too, and introduced me to a couple different scouts that approached him to inquire about me.

We all had dinner on the pier at The Crab Shack before my grandparents hopped on another flight out of here.

For being in their seventies, they sure do have a lot of fun.

I’d like to think that’ll be Shane and me one day, retired and traveling the world.

Even though their stay was quick, it was special.

Not only was it an incredible evening, but the following morning, I was contacted by the Brooklyn Classical Orchestra, offering me an internship for the summer.

As in, moving to New York City, getting an apartment, and living there for two and a half months.

This is something I’ve always dreamed of, but I told him I’d have to get back to him.

He understood that it’s a big decision and told me to take a few days and let him know at the beginning of the week.

Shane and I just started dating, and that’s another dream come true, so the thought of moving to a different state for the summer is unbearable.

I feel stuck between two possibilities—being with Shane and playing violin in New York City—both of which I desperately want for my life.

Being faced with such a huge decision is crushing me and dragging me down from the high of last night.

Sniffling, I squeeze Shane’s jean jacket that I never gave back, hugging it tightly to my chest. It still smells like him.

Safe. Like citrus and bergamot. Like Shane.

Another tear drips down my cheek, the jagged path feeling like the slice of a razor blade.

I can’t say no to this opportunity, but I can’t be away from Shane for that long.

I need to talk to him.

As if conjured by love and tears alone, Shane knocks lightly before slipping inside my bedroom door. “Hey.”

Sniffle.

“Hi.”

“What’s wrong? You sick?” he asks urgently, hurrying over and perching on the edge of the bed. He brushes my curls back and feels my forehead with four fingers and then his wrist.

“No. It’s not that. It’s nothing bad.”

“Then why are you crying?” His brows furrow, and he uses his thumb to wipe away a new streak of tears, glaring at the droplet as if it’s the one who hurt me.

“Because . . .”

“Why, Toby? Talk to me,” he pleads, ready to fight my enemies for me. Even the invisible ones.

“Because I got an opportunity to move to New York City for the summer and intern for a huge orchestra, but that would mean I have to move away for two and a half months and be all alone,” I blurt out in one breath. “I wish you could go with me,” I add without truly believing it’s even an option.

“Are you inviting me?”

“What?” I sniffle, wiping my nose and sitting up to face him.

“Are you inviting me to New York?” he asks again, staring at me with a blank expression I can’t read.

“Uh. Yeah? ” It comes out like a question instead of an answer.

“I just got you; I’m not letting you go, Toby. You’re mine. I’m coming too.”

Tears of joy instantly well up, spilling over when I throw myself at him.

“Oh, thank God! I didn’t want to do that alone!

” I cry out, excitedly sharing more of the details.

“They’ll provide the apartment, subway pass, and a living allowance.

It’ll be a small studio, but we only need one bed anyway. ”

“You could sleep on top of me, and I wouldn’t mind.”

I giggle, my mood instantly lifting and my mind running wild with all the possibilities this summer will bring, from new apartment décor to weekend getaways to the Jersey Shore. “What about your catering job?”

“Glenn will hold my position, no problem. He already told me I’ll always have a job with him. Besides, working at a restaurant in New York City for the summer would look incredible on my résumé.”

“Not to mention all the money we’ll save without having to pay rent,” I add.

“That too. We can delay our apartment move-in date to early August, before the semester starts.”

This plan is coming together and making more and more sense as we talk through it.

Campus housing comes completely furnished, so we don’t have any furniture to pack up; it’ll just be a few boxes of belongings.

I’m sure Jake and Spencer won’t mind if we store them at the house while we’re gone, so we don’t have to get a storage unit.

“I’m getting really excited. I’m going to call the scout back and let him know I accept.”

“And I’ll call Glenn. Then I’m going to get online and start looking for sous chef positions in Brooklyn.”

“I can’t believe we’re really doing this!” I squeal, squeezing his neck in a tight hug and smooshing our cheeks together.

Shane pulls back, kissing me passionately on the lips before cradling my face between his rough palms. “Every second we’re together, my love for you is carved deeper and deeper into the very core of who I am.

Your outline is etched into my soul like a vinyl record stuck on repeat.

I need you, Toby. And I can’t fucking live without you. ”

Shane’s eloquent words do funny things to my insides, and I chew on my bottom lip.

“You deserve all the good things in this world, baby. And I’ll do everything in my power to give them to you.”

“But what do you want?” I ask hesitantly. I need to make sure that he’ll truly be happy in New York.

“I want a future with you, Toby. I want to build a life together. You’re my happy place, and you always have been. I’d follow you anywhere.”

I throw myself at him, feeling like the luckiest guy in the world to have such a kind and thoughtful boyfriend. “I love you. My sexy stalker.”