Page 135 of It's About Time
Henley leans back in his chair. “Do you think she was actually in love with him and that’s why she didn’t go through with the wedding? Or, is there something else going on there too?”
“The fuck if I know, but hell…” Blowing out a breath, I push a hand through my hair and start to pace again. “This is all starting to make so much more sense. But the will?” I shake my head. “I remember when my grandpa died, my dad was angry that he wasn’t left more. Maybe this was his way of making sure he got what he felt he was entitled to?”
Rhonan nods. “Makes sense.”
“But for your own dad to be that envious of you,” Henley starts just as Fletcher raises his hand.
“Uh, the idea isn’t that far-fetched, remember?” Pointing to his chest, he says, “My father fucking hit me because he was jealous of my talent and ability to play a game that he couldn’t any longer.”
Henley nods. “Touche.”
Rhonan blows out a breath before peering up at me. “So, what are you going to do, Elliot?”
“Part of me wants to drive over to his house and give him a piece of my fucking mind right now, but…”
Fletcher clears his throat. “Trust me. Reacting out of anger isn’t going to get you what you want.”
I meet his eyes. “I know. Plus, Dilynne and I leave for Motorlux in two days. I can’t do anything to risk not being there with her.”
Henley and I look at each other at the same time. “Good to know you’re thinking clearly here.”
“Trust me, Henley. My mind is fucking clear for the first time in a long time…about a lot of things.” I didn’t intend on talking to Henley about me and Dilynne quite yet, but after last night in the shop, I would feel wrong pushing her for more without her brother knowing that my intentions are in the right place.
“Such as?” Henley quips.
“I think you know.”
Fletcher clears his throat. “Maybe you two should talk outside?”
Rhonan stands and slaps me on the shoulder. “Definitely. Fletcher and I will just hang out in here until you’re done.”
Henley stands but keeps his eyes locked on mine. “Probably a good idea we talk away from the gossip twins.”
Laughing, I head for the front door of Rhonan’s house, exiting as Henley follows my lead. When I turn around to face him, all I can see on his face is curiosity. “Look, I know you haven’t exactly been a fan of me and your sister pretending to be engaged…”
“That’s right.”
“But I need you to know something.”
“Okay…”
I’ve thought about how to broach this topic with him several times before now, but in this moment, all of the eloquent words I’ve conjured up are escaping me. “I’m uh…sort of in love with your sister.”
His brows lift. “Sort of?”
I push a hand through my hair. “No. Definitely. I—I’mdefinitelyin love with her.”
Henley’s eyes narrow. “For how long?”
“Honestly, I don’t even know. Part of me knows it didn’t start getting real for me until about six months ago. But Henley…back when we were teenagers? I—I had a thing for her too. But we made that fucking pact, and I…”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he widens his stance. “So why haven’t you said anything until now?”
“Once she started hating me, I just shoved the thought of something more with her down where I never had to confront it.” I shake my head. “And look at how I used to feel about relationships, Henley. The truth is, it doesn’t matter how long I’ve felt something for her because what matters now is that I finally feel like a man who deserves her. And she’s the reason I can say that.” He continues to stare at me. “She checked on me regularly after Tori left, man. For ayear. It annoyed the shit out of me, but deep down, I appreciated it. It let me see this side of her that cares for others. And now? Well, I guess I just want you to know that I want to care for her too.”
I’m telling Henley more than I’ve said to Dilynne right now, but he’s one of my best friends and knows me for all of my faults. The only way I can get him to believe my sincerity is by giving him the whole truth.
“That’s a pretty bold statement,” Henley says just as we hear a sound of something knocking on glass. Both of us twist toward the house where we see Rhonan and Fletcher pushing each other behind the front window through the blinds.
