“Oh, I almost forgot.” He digs one hand in his back pocket, pulls out a small bag, and tosses it my way. I reach out and catch a bag of Skittles. He remembered. I look up and he’s already out the door and down the hall.
My phone pings again. Trent’s name flashes across the screen.
Trent Rock God: Come over and hang out tonight?
Shit, shit, shit! I scroll through to see the two other messages he sent. Texts I missed. Texts Jon read while running his hands over my skin in this very bed. Shit!
Trent Rock God: Chick, you are making me crazy. Can’t stop thinking about you.
Trent Rock God: Tuesday night can’t come soon enough.
I look at the bag of Skittles in my lap and feel moisture gather behind my eyelids. I blink back the tears that threaten to fall, take a deep breath, and close my eyes. I remember exactly why Skittles are my favorite candy.
I sat on the front steps of Evie’s front porch, waiting, not so patiently, for my best friend to come home from her afterschool shift at the Water N Ice store a few blocks away. She had her license but it would still be a few months before I could get mine. Which probably wouldn’t even happen. The way my parents argued over money every night I didn’t want to stress them out more by asking to drive. We didn’t have money for another car or insurance. Hell, we didn’t even have money for rent. Whatever.
I unzipped the pocket of my backpack and pulled out a bag of Skittles. Shouting voices burst through an open door down the street and I lift my eyes toward the sound, finding Jon walking out his front door and slamming it shut behind him. His long and lengthy frame moves with purpose as he jogs toward the street and halts. A scowl covers his usually smiling face. I’m no mind reader but he looks pissed. More shouting sounds from inside the house and he turns to glance back at the sound before he shoves his hands in his pockets and begins coming my way. As he gets closer I yell out to him.
“Hey, Jon.” I offer a shy smile and a wave, and he nods. He strolls the rest of the way to Evie’s porch, then stands before me and studies the ground. I’ve never seen him this way. He is always so friendly. Something must be wrong.
“Wanna sit?” He nods and takes a seat on the step next to me. We both sit in silence for a few more minutes.
“Wanna talk about it?”
“Not really.” His distraught expression leads me to do something bold. I reach over to where his hand lays on the step next to me and squeeze it with my own. I offer him another smile.
“It’s okay. My parents scream like that too. Everything will be okay.” He lets out a deep sigh and his body moves up and down with small movements. It takes a moment to realize he’s crying. I don’t know exactly what to do but I let go of his hand, scoot closer, and wrap an arm around his much broader frame. We stay like that. I don’t have the words to make it better and he doesn’t seem to mind. He stops crying.
“Wanna share my Skittles?” Jon laughs and pulls away. He wipes the tears with his palms.
“Yeah, okay.”
I pull the candy out once more and tear open the bag. I pour some into his outstretched hand and we lean back, looking out at the street.
“My parents are getting divorced. And before you say you’re sorry, it’s actually a good thing. They fight every day. They hate each other. I hate going home. It’s just—I guess it’s still a shock to know, you know, that the people who created you don’t want to be together anymore.”
I nod and listen. I’m not sure of the best reply so I let the silence stretch between us. I chew my candy, Jon chews his, and then I pour him another handful. He chuckles and I turn my head to find him smiling.
“You’re like my own personal rainbow, Kate. This was a bad day, like the worst kind of storm, and you brought the sunshine. A rainbow to give me hope. Thank you.” He leans over to kiss the top of my head, and my cheeks heat from the weight of his words.
He remembered. He had to. Damn him. Damn him for making me hope for more, when I know there isn’t a chance in hell we can ever have that. And damn Trent and his flirty texts for ruining a perfectly good moment. I release a frustrated breath and flop back on the bed. Curled up with my pillows and bag of candy, I resolve to get lost in the drama unfolding on screen and not the kind filling my own life.
“So mhphm goo.”
I laugh, sitting across from Evie at this little breakfast joint in Old Town. Between the two of us we ordered a slew of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and home fries—it’s scrumptious and we both stuff our faces between catching up.
“So good. Better than sex, maybe? Nah, but maybe a close second.”
I reach for my tea and wash down my last bite before I grill her. She’s been my bestie since middle school so I know she needs a little probing before she’ll dish about everything going on in her life.
“Now. Tate. I need the good, the bad, and the ugly.” I raise my brow and pin her with my most intimidating expression. “Almost a week of living in sin, but with a sister and her two rugrats in the next room. How’s that going?” Evie shakes her head and sips coffee.
“It’s going really well. It’s not like I’ve never slept over before. You know I love Carly and her boys.”
“Yeah, but this isn’t just a short stay-cation. You’re looking at another three weeks. You may actually have to fart in front of each other. Find out he’s not so perfect. Maybe the mystery and appeal will start to drift?” She smiles at my words, but shakes her head in opposition.
“Nope. Not a chance. He’s it for me, Kate. I don’t care how smelly his farts are, the man is mine and I’m his. And Carly and the boys, they’re part of the Tate package and I gladly accept.”
I am happy for Evie but still skeptical. How can she be so certain?
“So what does Tate say? Have you guys talked about a future together?” Evie blushes and looks away to stare out the window.
“We have. I don’t know when exactly it will happen—we only started dating a few months ago—but when you know, you just know. I know Tate will ask me to marry him, and I know I’ll say yes.”
I pause, my fork full of bacon and eggs and halfway from plate to mouth, astonished and in shock. I don’t even attempt to school my reaction. Evie’s gaze drops to her plate and she gently sets her mug on the table before she twists her hands together in her lap. Ah, crap. I made her feel bad. It’s not that I’m not happy for her; I am. It’s just a surprise to know they’re already talking marriage. A tiny part of me worries I’ll lose my best friend to her soulmate. I reach across the small table, clutch her hands in my own, and lean in as close as I can to catch her worried gaze. I flash a genuine smile.
“I am so fucking happy for you. You hear me? You’ll always be my number one and I want you to have everything good life has to offer. Tate’s a great guy. I know he can give you that.”
She lets out a deep breath.
“Thank you, Kate. And you know I want the same for you. There is a perfect man out there for you, you just haven’t met him yet. Hey, maybe I can get payback and try and play matchmaker for you!” I laugh. I may have set her up on some disastrous dates in the past.
“No way, sister! I find my own meat. I’m a damn fine huntress if I do say so myself.” She chuckles and rolls her eyes at my enthusiasm.