I want to kick myself for being so jealous. It’s never been more apparent to me that Phoebe Strong was born to be mine, and it pains me to no end that I can’t just come out and tell her. The potential rejection would be too much for me to handle.
“Fine.” I manage to say before we both sit. The energy between us has shifted. I’m ashamed to say that it’s my fault. I can’t shake the nerve of that asshole.
“That was my oldest brother, Russell’s, friend.” She says, as if reading my mind. “He’s a bit of a mess.” She leans in close enough that I can see the freckles along the bridge of her nose. “Up and left his girlfriend of five years so that he could find himself.” She bites her lip, and casts a wide glance around us. “And he found himself alright. Turns out, Harlan’s gay.”
My chest deflates causing all of the tension to leave my body in one long exhale. I shake my head, smiling. “You don’t say.”
“Youdon’t say. He’s not officially out.”
I twist an imaginary key across my lips. “I won’t say a word.” I say, and take a sip of my coffee. Phoebe eyes me up and down, as though studying me. “What?” I finally ask.
“If I didn’t know any better.” She fiddles with the ring on her pointer finger. “Never mind.”
“You can’t do that.”
“I can do whatever I want.” Her indignant, powerful smile nearly melts me.
“Withholding information is the same as lying.”
“You and your cop talk.” She teases.
“Tell me, Phoebe.” I give her knuckle a gentle flick. “Or I’ll go and get the cuffs.” The image of Phoebe in nothing but handcuffs makes me hard as a rock.
She narrows her sparkling eyes. “You can’t arrest me for not telling you something.”
“I can do whatever I want.” I use her words against her, making her smile. “Spill it.”
“If I didn’t know any better…” She leans back, crossing her arms over her full chest. “I’d say you were jealous of Harlan before you learned his secret.”
“And I’d say,” I lick my lips, feeling braver than I have all day. “Maybe you’re right.”
4
Phoebe
Ever since Iran into Anthony at the library, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him. But, it’s been three days and he hasn’t called. Fuck my life if he’s into that silly three day rule. The fact that he hasn’t called only reminds me how unlucky my love life has been here in Burly Creek.
“Stop thinking about it, Pheebs.” My best friend and sister in law, Eliana, tightens her ponytail and reaches into the bag of chips. “He’ll call. How could he not?” Crumbs fall from her mouth onto her swollen rack. I swear my brother just looks at this woman and she gets pregnant.
Yeah, we’ll go with that.
“I’m not thinking about it.” I lie. Eliana shoots me a side eye that could kill. “Fine, I’m thinking about it.” I plop down on the couch next to her and dig into the salty chips. “You’re so lucky, you don’t have to worry about this kind of shit ever again.”
Eliana rubs her belly. “Jesus, I hope not.”
I can’t help but smile thinking of another niece or nephew. Being around kids makes me happier than almost anything in the world. Besides Dorian, every one of my brothers have kids. I don’t want to feel left out, because all of these little ones mean the world to me, but sometimes it’s hard not to. It’s these feelings that make me feel that maybe it’s time to spread my wings and leave Burly Creek, but I don’t want to think about it tonight, not with my bestie here.
We settle into some trash TV, tearing through an entire bag of chips and a pint of ice cream—#noregrets—and are about to call it a night when the doorbell rings. Eliana turns to me, eyes wide.
“Are you expecting someone?”
I run my finger from head to toe: dirty hair, no bra, and old sweats with a hole in one knee. “The Queen of England.”
“I’ll get it.” Eliana giggles and hops off the couch. She stands on her tiptoes and peers out of the peephole. “Holy shit.” She turns to me. “It’s the cops.”
“What?” I hustle to the door. Eliana moves out of the way for me to see out. A feeling of relief and total excitement washes over me. With my nose pressed against the door, I can make out Anthony’s unmistakable massive frame. I turn to my friend, feeling like we’re in college all over again. “It’s him.” I mouth.
“Who?” She mouths back.