Page 32 of Mountain Pine
“I’mnota Rottweiler.” They’re fat headed and slobbery.
“Fine. You’re a dragon, bro.”
Now Nick makes me sound like a dork.
“You’re Conner,” Bennet says. “And everyone knows Conner Montgomery doesn’t play about his Taylor. If you disrespect her, he’ll disrespect you. Put your hands on her, he’ll put his hands on you. Treat her nice, he’ll be nice to you.”
Exactly.
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing,” Nick says. “Except if you’re her boyfriend or your girlfriend and then it’s painfully obvious that it’ll never work because you’re Conner.”
I think I’m offended. “Is that an insult? I can’t even tell.”
“It’s just a fact.” Bennet grabs some plates for us. “You two are meant to be together. None of us know why you won’t give in.”
“Because she doesn’t like me like that.”
Nick and Bennet both freeze, and I catch them staring at each other.
“What? It’s true. I’m just her friend. Herbro.”
Nick busts out laughing so loud, it scares the birds out of the trees.
“It’s not funny,” I grumble.
“It’s fucking hilarious, man. Holy shit, you’re an idiot.”
“I know her better than anyone. She doesn’t like me like that.”
“Did you ask her?”
“Hell no. Her actions speak loud and clear. If she wanted me, she could have just… I don’t know. Done something.”
They stare at each other again and I swear to God if Nick doesn’t wipe that smile off his face, I’m going to drag him back to the stream and drown him.
“Did you ever try?” Bennet asks.
“Try what?”
“Telling her? Showing her?”
“I wouldn’t know how at this point. Our friend zone comes with five-foot-thick concrete walls and barbed wire.”
Nick gawks at me. “You literally spend the night at her house.”
“So? You crash at Dean’s all the time.”
“He doesn’t keep my clothes in his dresser,” Nick argues. “Or my favorite foods in the fridge.”
“We like the same things, that’s all.” Keeping steak in the freezer isn’t romance. It’s nourishment.
“Have you ever… you know…” Bennet makes a kissy fish face, and I throw my empty soda can at him.
“Yes.”
They go motionless again.
