Page 86 of Come Back to Me

Noah waves his hands in front of our faces. “Alright, let’s finish eating before everything turns ice cold.”

I didn’t realize Xander is so passionate about my love for cooking. We’ve never talked about it in depth like this before. It’s interesting how he believes I could’ve been a success if I went to culinary school.

SCU and Pinecrest were my options. And I followed my heart. It led me here, and I don’t regret it.

My friends are here.

The former love of my life is here.

My future is here.

This is where I’m meant to be.

I’ve been lying on the couch and rotting away for the past hour. It feels so good. I don’t remember the last time I was able to do this.

“Are you going to be lying on the couch like this until game time?” Xander asks, grinning.

“Maybe.”

Xander sits down on the ottoman, facing me. “I’m sorry I blew up at you earlier. I talked to Noah, too. What I said to him was fucked up.”

“What the hell is going on with you?” I slowly sit up.

A streak of sunlight reflects off his warm, olive skin. “You know how happy I am for Noahand Dani, but there’s a part of me that believes I’ll be alone for the rest of my life. It sounds stupid, I know. I’m jealous of my best friend because he’s in a happy relationship. I want to have what he has so badly.”

“Is there a tiny part of me that feels the way you do? Yes. I can tell you one thing though. You have to start putting yourself out there. Also, stop being so dramatic. You’re in your twenties. You have plenty of time to find a girlfriend.”

“I’m twenty-three. I have two semesters left of college, and then I graduate. I haven’t had a girlfriend since high school, and that relationship only lasted a couple of months. What if this doesn’t happen for me?”

“You sound like you’re having a mid-life crisis, and you’re not even close to the age to have one. Dude, you’re going to find someone. You’re one of the best people I know. You’re kind, smart, caring, and you can be funny sometimes.”

“Thanks, man.” He gets up from the ottoman and pats me on the shoulder with the palm of his hand. “It’s going to happen for you, too.”

“We’ll see about that one.”

“The former love of your life has come back into your life. That doesn’t happen that often to a lot of people. The universe is giving you a second chance. Don’t screw it up.”

“Okay,” I breathe out through a chuckle.

“I don’t know why you think this is funny.”

I don’t think any of this is funny.

“Violet has been in my life for a week now. Coach Taylor said no distractions. Don’t start with me about this. I just want to focus on playing a good game today.”

“Alright, fine. I’ll let you and the couch get reacquainted.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He walks out of the living room and disappears into the corridor where our bedrooms are.

Why does he choose today out of all days to start with me about Violet?

Today needs to be about basketball, and that’s it. I can’t afford to get distracted by the vicious cycle of thoughts that run rampant inside my brain. Once they start, they don’t end.

Romance is one of those things that has been pushed to the side for me, mostly because I’ve been focusing on school and my career.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Xander thinks about romance more than I do. He’s a hopeful romantic.