Page 142 of More For Me

“I know,” I say, rubbing my forehead. “No offense, Leo, but I really don’t need you to explain Bodhi to me.”

He blinks, surprised. “I just wasn’t sure what all he told you. About his brother.”

I want to tell him that Bodhi told me enough, but that’s not really what matters. The truth is, I didn’t need Bodhi to explain these things to me. I saw it with my own two eyes. What the loss of Ari did to him. What it did to his family. How it impacted the way he sees himself, the way he acts. The person he thinks he needs to be in order to make it all okay for the people he loves.

And now I want to cry. Because all these years Bodhi has been the sunshine in everyone else’s sky. The one trying to make people happy. To support Leo. To soothe his mother. To keep their home happy for his sister. To convince his dad to stick around. Who’s been looking out for him? Who’s been making sure Bodhi is happy and soothed and taken care of?

The woman who ends up with that job is going to be damn lucky.

And if he thinks he can just kick me out of the running, he’s crazy. He can break up with me on as many street corners as he wants. I’m not going anywhere.

“Anyway,” Leo says, looking even more uncomfortable than he already did. “I just wanted to let you know that he was okay. And, you know, maybe explain a little bit why he acted the way he did last night.”

I narrow my eyes. So Bodhi told Leo about the break up. Well, that’s just fine. He can tell as many people as he wants. Doesn’t mean it’s true.

“We’re not broken up,” I say firmly. “I do not accept this break up. You can tell him that, by the way, the next time he calls you for one of your little best bro chats. I will march right into the woods and drag him out if I have to, but we are not breaking up.”

Leo’s mouth twitches, his eyes lit up with amusement. “Good.”

I gesture behind him at my front door. “I have some things to plan.”

He nods, stepping out of my way. “Okay. I just wanted to let you know what was going on. So you didn’t worry.”

“Thanks, Leo.” As he passes me, a question occurs to me. “Hey—did Bodhi ask you to come over here?”

“Nah,” he says, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I came over because he’s not himself right now.”

I blink at him, confused.

“He isn’t thinking clearly, Everly. But if he was?” Leo’s green eyes soften. “If he was, the only thing he would be concerned about right now is you. Making sure you’re okay. Because you’reeverythingto him.” He shrugs, like it’s no big deal, like he didn’t just say one of the nicest things I’ve ever heard. “So since he couldn’t be here right now, I figured he’d want me to be.”

I sigh. “Well, now you’ve done it.”

“What?”

I come toward him, holding out my arms. “I’m going to have to hug you now.”

“Uh, no you don’t,” he says, taking a step back, something like terror in his eyes. “Really, Lele. No hugging necessary.”

“Sorry.” I wrap my arms around his middle. “Hugs are always necessary. But especially when someone is that good of a friend to the guy I love.”

Leo sighs, and brings his hands up to awkwardly pat my back. “You two really are perfect for each other, you know that?”

“I do.” I step back, putting him out of his misery. “Keep your phone close, okay? I think I’m going to need all the help I can get with this.”