“It isn’t.”
He turns back to the road. “He’s an idiot.”
“Not my type. Unfortunately for you.”
“You think I’d take Ryan’s sloppy seconds?”
“No, I don’t think you’d sleep with someone your brother is… whatever this is.”
He shrugs, playing cool, effortless, soulless. “Still not too late to turn around.”
“I spent a fortune on this flight.”
“I’ll reimburse you.”
“That’s sad. Paying me to give your brother a chance.”
“Paying you to get your head out of your ass.”
Those are strong words coming from Dean.
I sink into my chair. Stare out the window. Let my phone rest on my thigh.
My breath stays shallow.
My pulse stays weak.
My cell stays silent.
“You have another flight in thirty-six hours.” He hits a fork in the road, turns left, toward the airport. “You’ll be fine if you miss it.”
“A flight next to Ryan.”
“Gives you time to talk.”
I shake my head.
“He has time to make this one.”
My eyes go to the clock. He doesn’t. I’m barely going to make this flight and it’s the last one out of Maui. At least, the last direct flight to LAX. “There’s no way he’s missing the wedding.”
“Want to bet?”
“Not everything needs to be a bet.”
Dean laughs. “That’s where your wrong.”
“Okay, fine. I bet. Twenty bucks.”
He shakes his head. “If you’re wrong, you stay at Inked Hearts.”
“I’m leaving in a month.” The words are heavy on my tongue. It’s different now that it means no more Ryan. And that means no more Dean or Walker or Brendon. Or even Emma or Kaylee.
No more laughing at my friend’s stupid jokes.
No more studying Ryan’s work.
No more taunting him with miserable music. Or teasing him about being serious. Or eating the lunches he makes me. Or fixing his coffee. Or fucking him on the counter.