“Fat chance.”
Kory’s forehead crinkled. “I’m certain that part worked. Although I wasn’t sure how you felt at first, since you asked me to join you in the bathroom. I actually texted your mom to see how I should respond. Don’t worry, I kept it vague, but just said you seemed into me, and what should I do if you went for a kiss, or seemed to want…more.”
Julie smacked a hand over her face and attempted to melt into the seat. “That was a misunderstanding. Gavin was trying to help me be better at flirting, and…” She hesitated and then decided there was no salvaging herself now anyway, so he might as well get the whole story. “He was in my ear. Evidently I was doing such a poor job that we needed to talk it out by the bathrooms, but I said that part aloud, and now the reason why I’d go to such lengths is likely becoming frighteningly clear.”
Kory flashed her a sympathetic smile. “Trust me, I get it. It’s why I’m too scared to tell my best friend how I feel. What if he…?” He swallowed hard. “I didn’t divulge he was a he to your parents or mine. Not that I think mine will be upset or anything. More like they’ll just be very surprised, since I’ve never dated a guy before, whereas Tony has only ever dated men. I’m just so terrified of the rejection and of messing up the most important relationship in my life.”
Julie’s heart nearly burst at his admission. On any other day, she’d insist it was worth the risk. A lump rose in her throat as she sought words of encouragement, but they simply wouldn’t come. “I get that,” was all she could manage, because holy shit did she.
Kory took another left turn, and she realized they’d driven in a circle—er, square. However, this time he went right, and she decided she didn’t care where they were going anyway. “But then when he joined us, I saw the way you looked at him and wondered why your family had involved me when it was so obvious you two had already fallen.”
“We hadn’t yet,” Julie said with a shake of her head. “And then I went and fell by myself, because I’m an overly romantic optimist.”
Kory pulled up to a two-story house, and Julie let her forehead thunk against the glove box.
“I’m afraid I lost my best friend,” she continued, “and all I have to show for it…” A sob spilled out with the rest of her gushing emotions.
“I don’t understand,” Kory said, fully turning toward her. “Gavin looked at you the same way you looked at him.”
So nice of him to say, but Kory hadn’t been there at the Christmas dinner from hell. All their lives people had mistaken her and Gavin’s closeness for love. And then she’d gone and done the same thing.
“No offense, but I can’t talk about Gavin Frost right now.”
Kory bobbed his head in understanding. “What are your thoughts on cake?”
Her thoughts were that she’d miss sweet potato pie. She’d already missed it at Thanksgiving, since she’d saved all her time off for Christmas. “Yes, please. And if you have access to alcohol, I could also use a bottle or two.”
A moment later, a gust of frigid air accompanied the opening of the passenger car door. Then she followed Kory inside a house she’d never been in, to have her first Christmas evening with anyone besides her family and the Frosts.
…
Gavin kept scanning the airport, hoping against hope that Julie would show. He’d texted.
Apologized again that the afternoon had gone downhill. Reminded her he was leaving and that he didn’t know when they’d next see each other.
A hollow ache formed over his heart, providing a glimpse of how empty his life would be without Julie in it.
They’d vowed not to let anything ruin their friendship. It wasn’t their first fight by a long shot. Not even their first fight where Julie stormed out, although the last time had been during their pre-teen years.
But what could he do? He couldn’t miss the upcoming game; couldn’t miss the opportunity to prove to his coaches and teammates that if they just won without him, he’d ensure he was ready to go for the next, and that he’d dedicate his full attention to nothing else but getting to the Super Bowl.
It was a dream he’d shared with Julie countless times through the years. In every scenario, she’d be by his side to celebrate. She’d even promised that if the Mustangs made it, she’d be front and center in the stands “cheering my ass off no matter how cold it is.”
Months and months of abstinence, all so he could slip and ruin his relationship with the kindest, best person he knew.
“You’d better go,” Mom said, and his heart knotted to the point he feared it’d be rendered incapable of beating. How could he leave like this?
How could he not?
A chime sounded from Mom’s pocket, and he held his breath. Please be Julie, please be Julie.
“She’s safe,” Mom said, and although the vagueness dug at him, he didn’t ask for clarification. If she couldn’t say Julie’s name, Mom was likely hurting as well. “I guess she ran into Kory and is spending the evening with the Cohens.”
The news shoved the ache deep in his bones, until he feared they’d splinter from the strain of forcing himself to stay in check as he emotionally bled out internally. “She’s with that guy you and Peggy set her up with? What was that all about, anyway?”
Mom’s mouth hung open, and as upset as he was, he couldn’t push. He didn’t have the heart or the energy. Not to mention the time, and was Julie seriously not coming to say goodbye?
“This isn’t your mom’s doing,” Dad said. “Most of us played a part, but you’re the one who didn’t consider anyone’s feelings but your own. I practically begged you to open your eyes and see what a great thing you have with Julie, and instead, you chased her away. That’s on you.”
Damn. It wasn’t as if Gavin expected his father to take his side, not when Mom stood on the opposing one. But now he was somehow responsible for the entire shitshow? More than ever, he wished he’d never been sacked, never hurt his shoulder, and had never spent his extra time here.
Now his head was messier than ever. It would’ve been better to have had a mediocre time rather than experience the highest of highs before he got dropped on his ass. Now he had to hurry up and switch gears. He’d mentally go through plays on the flight, since it calmed him, and he liked to fill his brain with nothing else before game day. He wasn’t so egotistical he thought they couldn’t win a game without him—that was the beauty of having so many solid players—but it was still a lot to put on a rookie quarterback.
We’ve got what it takes, and I’ll be there to encourage everyone and assist Jacob Mann with whatever help he needs. With any luck, time would heal the hurt feelings from the debacle that’d gone down here in Crystal Springs, and life would return to normal. Boring, even.