"You ever figure it out?"
"Depe
nds on the day."
"It's a hell of a thing, loving somebody."
His gaze shifts to me. His voice gets serious. Well, more serious. Brendon is always serious. "Is it?"
He's asking if I'm in love with her.
Fuck, I don't know.
I've never loved somebody. Never even thought about it. Certainly never considered it within the realm of possibility.
But Chloe…
"Fuck, you know that kind of insight is beyond my capabilities." I deflect with a joke.
But it doesn't fool him. He shakes his head nice try. "You want my advice?"
"No. But I'm sure I can't stop you."
"Yeah." His chuckle is soft. Knowing. "If you do love her, hold onto her. Don't let anybody, even yourself, convince you there's anything more important."
I shrug like his advice means nothing.
But that doesn't fool either of us.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Dean
"This is so much better than a karaoke bathroom." Chloe pulls my t-shirt over my head and tosses it aside.
"That's 'cause you have no idea how hot that bathroom is."
"I know enough." She reaches for my belt. Unfastens it. Pulls it from my jeans.
My hands go to her hips. I pull her body into mine. Lean down to press my lips to hers.
She rises to her tiptoes to meet me.
One hand knots in my hair. The other curls into the back of my neck.
She shifts her hips, grinding her crotch against mine. "Dean." Her breath catches in her throat. She forgets about teasing me. About banter. About everything but how badly she needs me.
"Yeah?" My fingertips skim the bare skin of her stomach.
"I'm glad I'm here."
"I'm fucking ecstatic you're here."
"I just mean…" Her brow furrows as she tries to find the words. When she doesn't, she shakes her head and brings her hands back to my jeans. "Thank you."
"For?"
"Everything." Her fingers dig into my sides. "Now take off your clothes."