Page 24 of More For Me

Everly

It takes me a minute to realize that something has changed. Bodhi sounds the same. He has that same cheerful, vibrant voice I’m used to hearing from him. And he’s smiling, just like usual.

But there’s something…off. Something strained. I’m not sure why. He’s just talking to his mother, who I know for a fact he adores. He’s telling her about his week at school and his last conversation with his sister and all the funny stories she shared about his nephews.

None of it should be making his shoulders that rigid. Or his eyes that sad. Because that, I realize as I peer at him, is the biggest difference. He’s smiling the same as always, but his eyes are so very sad.

He ends the call with a promise to come visit her tomorrow. When he hangs up, he closes his eyes for just a second, seeming to steal himself. Then he goes right back to our conversation as if nothing had happened.

“Bodhi,” I say softly, not even caring that I’m cutting him off mid-sentence. Something is wrong here. “What just happened?”

He blinks at me, those warm chocolate eyes darker than usual. “Nothing.”

I wait for him to say more but he remains silent, his gaze fixed on something over my shoulder. “I just…you seem off. Is everything okay?”

“Of course.” But he still doesn’t meet my eyes.

“Is your mom okay?” I ask, fear stirring in my belly. Bodhi’s mom is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. It’s so obvious to see where he gets his kindness from. The idea of her being sick or—

“She’s fine,” he says, voice uncharacteristically gruff. Then he stands, dusting crumbs from his slacks. “You ready to go back?”

I feel off-balanced. Bodhi and I don’t keep shit from each other. The entire basis of our friendship is the fact that we both like to talk. A lot. He’s just about the only person in the world I don’t have to hold back from for fear that I’m too chatty, too annoying. Too much. I always figured he felt the same way about me.

But he’s holding back right now. I know he is.

“Um, sure,”I say, wrapping up my unfinished cupcake. He glances down at it and something tightens in his face. I half expect him to sit back down again so I can finish, but he doesn’t. He just shoves his hands in his pockets and looks away.

He’s quiet on the walk back to the store. I try to fill the silence with chatter about our evening plans—we’ve scheduled a major rom-com marathon—and he responds in all the right places. But instead of our usual easy banter, he only gives me briefuh huhsand noncommittal grunts.

Something is definitely wrong. And I really don’t like that he won’t tell me what. Everyone is entitled to a bad day. It’s normal to not feel like sharing every thought and emotion. But it’s not like Bodhi to shut down like this.

“I’m gonna get going,” he says as soon as the storefront is in sight.

I stare up at him, surprised. “You’re not coming in?” Normally he would spend his afternoon at the shop, grading homework in the back and keeping me company. “We got those new t-shirts in. I wanted to see what you thought.”

He gives me a smile, but it looks forced. “I took a look when you were with your customer. They’re great. I’m going to buy like, half of your stock.”

“Oh. Well do you want—”

“I actually think I’m going to stop by my parents’ place tonight,” he continues, looking away. “My dad is out of town on business. I think my mom is lonely.”

I let out a breath, trying to find reassurance in that. Maybe that’s why he’s being weird? His dad missed the wedding because he was away on business. I hadn’t thought anything of it at the time—Bodhi’s Dad is gone a lot, honestly. He works for some pharmaceutical company and he constantly seems to be going out on business trips Maybe his parents are having problems or something. Or maybe his mom really did just sound lonely.

Would that be enough to make him act so strangely though?

“Can we reschedule our marathon?”

“Of course,” I say, squeezing his forearm. “If you want company at your mom’s, I’m sure Alex wouldn’t mind if I take off now.”

“Nah,” he says, and I don’t miss the way he pulls his arm free even as he smiles at me. “Nisha and the boys will be there, so it’s going to be a madhouse.”

The presence of his sister and her kids has never been a deterrent to him inviting me before. Besides, two little kids hardly makes for a madhouse—I grew up with the Ransomes.

Before I can make any of those arguments, he takes a step back. “Awesome news about Juniper Cain. I’ll see you at the house later, okay?”

“Oh. Okay. Sure.”

He smiles, gives me a little wave, and then he’s gone. I stand on the sidewalk, feeling uncomfortably bewildered. I can’t remember the last time Bodhi left me anywhere without walking me inside. There’s definitely something off with him.