Page 31 of Forever Mine
“Taking her to the track.”
Liz’s smile turns blinding. “I can’t wait. It sounds like a lot of fun.”
Jay doesn’t share her excitement. He pulls Ryder to one side and murmurs something we can’t hear.
Ryder replies with, “It’ll be fine.”
“She has a head injury.”
“Jesus, Jay, chill.”
Liz transfers her attention to Ryder again, her eyes lingering on him for a moment longer than necessary before glancing away. Oh, shit. I know that look.
Julien clears his throat. “Classes start Monday. Excited?”
She slides her hands into the back pockets of her frayed jean shorts. “I am. You?”
“Not really. I don’t want the summer to end.”
The tension dissipates as we settle into easy conversation about classes and Julien’s upcoming soccer match; however, it’s how often Liz keeps looking at Ryder that piques my interest.
Checking his watch again, Julien gently bumps my hip, a subtle gesture that says to get going. “Lunch tomorrow?” he asks Liz.
Seemingly more relaxed, she replies, “I’d like that.”
He leans in for a hug. “Good. I’ll make your favorite.”
“What’s my favorite?” she asks.
“You’ll find out tomorrow.”
Gathering our stuff, Julien and I head to the beach access where we parked my car behind Jayson’s truck.
“Did you see that?”
I don’t have to tell him whatthatis. Julien knows what I’m referring to.
He glances over at his brother, his mouth set in a thin line of concern. “I did.”
Chapter Nine
JULIEN
Holdingthe phone to my ear with my shoulder, I’m half listening to Elijah while I finish draining the corkscrew pasta. One of Liz’s favorite dishes was pesto pasta with pine nuts and black olives. So that’s what I’m making her for lunch.
After putting it off, the guys and I told our families about Liz over a video call earlier this morning. We spent the first hour explaining everything we knew so far, the next thirty minutes crying together, and then another hour convincing them not to come. They’re desperate to see her, but she needs time to reacclimate before our families descend on her.
It took me for-fucking-ever after we ended the call to get Jay and Ry the hell out of the condo with the promise to stay gone for the rest of the afternoon.
With Elijah working today, I get Liz to myself. No distractions. I’m anxious to reconnect and spend time with my best friend. Fuck, how I missed her.
“What do you think?” Elijah asks.
“About what?”
“Matt and I are basically done. I can join you and Liz for lunch.”
Wiping my hands off on the dish towel, I engage the speaker and prop the phone against my glass of iced tea on the counter.
