Kevin gave me a weak smile. “So, what are the plans for tonight? Hitting Austin, right?”
Reed jumped up. “Hell yeah! I already called Bill and Richard. They’re in for heading to Austin. ”
I wanted to cringe when Reed had mentioned Richard. I hadn’t asked Whitley about going to a club, but I figured with them being in Austin, they’d be up for it.
“Are they going?” I asked.
Reed just looked at me. “Hell yeah, they’re going. ”
“Listen, I told Whitley I wanted to take her and Courtney out to dinner tonight since they’re heading into Austin this afternoon to do some shopping for the parties she’s planning. ”
I noticed Reed stand up a little straighter.
“Really?” Reed asked.
Kevin shook his head and laughed. “I’m gonna take off. Thanks for letting us crash and for the ride, Layton. I’ll meet y’all in Austin. Reed, you riding with me or heading in yourself?”
Reed glanced back at me. “Nah, I think I’ll drive in with Layton. ”
I tried not to smile, but I knew the only reason the fucker wanted to drive with me is because of Whitley and Courtney.
He better have his sights on the right fucking girl.
Shit! You’re not interested in Whitley. She’s only a friend. Only a friend, Layton, that’s all.
“Okay, see y’all later. ” Kevin grabbed his bag and headed out the front door.
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I turned back and looked at Reed. “Which one?”
“What?” he asked, looking confused.
“Which one of the girls do you have your sights on, Reed? Courtney or Whitley?”
He grinned that big ole grin of his. “I don’t know what you mean. Dude, I don’t have my sights on either one. Plus, it’s pretty fucking clear you like Whitley. Olivia even saw it, and let me tell you, it drove her nuts. She was damn near chomping at the bit while y’all were just riding back slower than molasses after the race. ”
Well, that caught my attention. “Really? What did she say?”
“Layton, please don’t do this to yourself. ”
“I just asked a question, Reed. What was she saying?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. She was super pissed when Courtney told her Whitley’s been riding for years. Then, she just kept making comments. ”
“Like, what kind of comments?” I wanted to grab him and shake it out of him.
“Dude, I don’t fucking know. Shit like, why were y’all taking so long to get back and what in the hell were y’all talking about. Layton, please don’t use Whitley. I like her. She seems really sweet. In a strange way, even Courtney is somewhat appealing. ”
“She’s just a friend, Reed. I keep telling you that, and I’ve already told Olivia that. I can’t help what Olivia thinks. Are you staying here or going home to change?”
He looked down toward the floor. “Layton, it’s okay to move on. You know that, right? Mike would want you to be happy. And Olivia doesn’t deserve your love. ”
I slapped him on the back and nodded. “I know he would, and I’m trying, Reed. I’ve only ever loved three people in my life since my mother died. Two of them left me, and I gave my heart and soul to Olivia. I just don’t think I can give it to anyone else. ”
“Layton, you need someone to love. Everyone does. Just keep an open mind to it. That’s all I’m saying. I see how you look at Whitley, and I see how she looks at you. You’re both going to have to learn to let love back in. ”
“What do you mean? What do you know about Whitley?”