My chin trembled, and I ran my tongue over my suddenly dry lips. I reached up and felt the wet tears on my cheeks. “I’m crying. What the fuck, Kyle!”
He let out a soft laugh as he shook his head. “Bree, I get being confused. I get not knowing what’s up or down. But if you really love this guy, and if you think for one moment he’s here in Boggy Creek to prove that he loves you, then don’t throw it away. I have a feeling love—true love—the kind of love that makes your breath catch in your throat and your heart feel like it’s in a free fall, only comes into our life once. Don’t let it slip through your fingers. You’ve been running for four months, Bree. It’s time to stop now because he’s caught up with you.”
I sniffled and looked around Kyle’s car. A Kleenex suddenly appeared in front of me. I took it and blew my nose. “What in the hell is happening? When did you become so good at advice? You’re supposed to be handsome and dim-witted.”
He smiled. “I knew you thought I was handsome.”
I laughed. A good old-fashioned, belly laugh. Of course he would pick up on that word and not the dim-wit part.
“I’ve said this before: I can be deep,” he said. “I’ve seen things.”
My eyes met his, and I couldn’t help but smile. “If you tell anyone I cried, I’ll deny it. Then I’ll tell everyone you like to give yourself facials.”
Kyle’s smile instantly faded. “Candace promised she wouldn’t tell anyone!”
I chuckled again and leaned over and hugged him. “Thank you so much, Kyle. I needed someone to hit me with the cold, hard truth.”
“So you’ll talk to him, then?” he asked with a hopeful expression.
Sitting up straighter, I glanced back toward the firepit where Luke still sat. With a nod, I stated, “I will, but I am not going to make it easy for him. He’s going to have to work for it.”
Kyle sighed. “Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
I glanced back at him and smiled. “I think we’re going to have to break up now.”
He mocked sadness by clutching at his heart and pretending to wipe away a tear. “And to think I had tickets to see BLACKPINK, and I was going to take you.”
“What? Shut up! You have tickets?”
Laughing, he said, “I do, but don’t worry—I bought four tickets. I only wanted three, but the damn site made me buy them in pairs. I thought you, me, and Willa could go. The concert’s in Boston.”
“Yes! I know!” I said, bouncing in my seat. “The sixth of November. Who’s the fourth person going to be?”
He shrugged. “We’ve got plenty of time to figure it out, since it’s only mid-May.”
“Right.”
He looked past my shoulder, and I turned to see Luke walking up the pathway toward the main house.
“You going to talk to him tonight?”
With a shake of my head, I said, “No. I’m exhausted, and I’m going to watch a movie and get the hell out of this dress. It’s so uncomfortable.”
“Well, you look amazing in it.”
Smiling, I replied, “Thank you. What are you going to do? The night’s still young. Go find a pretty little thing to spend the evening with?”
His laugh came out devoid of any humor. “Nah. I’m going home to snuggle up with my girl and probably watch a movie myself.”
Frowning, I tilted my head and regarded him. Now that I thought about it, Kyle hadn’t mentioned going out with anyone in a long time. I wasn’t even sure if he went out at all anymore. With Aiden, Hudson, Hunter, Kyle, and Bishop all either happily married or about to be, he was the only single one left in the group. Well, single male.
“When was the last time you went on a date?”
He winked. “About thirty minutes ago, if you could call tonight a date.”
“Okay, before tonight?”
Kyle shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s been awhile.”
I fully turned in the seat and looked at him. “Why?”
He glanced away, but not before I saw something cross over his face, though I couldn’t exactly read his expression in the darkened vehicle. “I’ve been busy at work and training Cat.”
A strange pang of sympathy hit me right in the middle of the chest. Good Lord, was I feeling sorry for this man? Of course, I was. He could be a pain in the ass sometimes, but when it came down to it, he was my friend, and I knew there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for me.
“Who is she?” I asked softly.
He drew in a slow, deep breath before he let it out and looked back at me. “Someone I let slip away. So don’t make that same mistake, my friend.”
All I could do was nod.
The next morning, I walked into the dining area and came to an abrupt halt. Sitting at the large table for twelve was Luke. He looked devilishly handsome. I stared at him for a beat too long, because when I finally managed to drag my eyes off of him and look around the table, everyone else was staring at me. Including my father, a deep crease between his eyes.