Cheesy on the Eyes by Teagan Hunter Page 0,67
vibes. We’re supposed to be celebrating because I’m getting married in three days yet here we are, staring at dessert pizza and trying to hold back our tears.”
“Jonas!” Simon chides.
“What? I’m just being honest since someone isn’t.”
Yep, he’s mad at me. He bought into the whole charade and wasn’t too pleased when I came clean and told him Sully and I were nothing but fake. I had to tell someone about what happened, and since Jonas is my closest friend, he was the lucky winner.
He felt duped, and honestly, I understand that. I shouldn’t have lied about something so stupid just to save myself the embarrassment of going solo to my little brother’s wedding.
“It’s her fault she’s moping. He told her he loves her, and she got all bawk bawk bawk about it.” He flaps his arms like they’re chicken wings and everything.
“I hope someone just got you on camera doing that shit and it’s all over the internet tomorrow.”
“So what if it is? I’ll just tell them my big sister is being a big chickenshit.”
“Jonas!” Simon scolds again. Then his lips curve downward. “Well, he does have a point,” he says to me.
“How is that helpful at all?”
“What, honesty?”
I glare at him. “I come here for dessert pizza, not your judgment.”
“I’m just saying.” He holds his hands up. “Also, Sully’s been in here every day this week too. I think he might be hoping you show up.”
There’s no way he’s looking for me, not after I snuck off of his boat in the early morning hours.
He hasn’t called or texted. He doesn’t want to talk to me, and I can’t blame him.
“I don’t think that’s the case.”
Simon looks like he wants to say something else but thinks better of it. “Whatever you need to tell yourself, kiddo.” He shifts back. “But if I were you, I wouldn’t be so sure.” He taps the counter twice, then walks away.
“You know,” Jonas says, picking at the label on his beer bottle, “when Frankie and I split, it was the hardest thing I ever had to go through. It felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest and then a bulldozer ran over it while I watched. It was fucking brutal.”
I haven’t seen Sully for a couple days, but somehow it feels like weeks—years even.
Stupid because I haven’t even known him that long. We weren’t actually dating. It was all fake. It was just sex.
But if that’s the case, why does it feel like this? Why does it feel exactly like Jonas described? It’s like he’s inside my head, pulling out everything I feel right now.
“What’s your point?”
“My point, Thea, is if you feel even a fraction of that, you’re a fool for running and not telling him you’re in love with him too.”
Love.
Do I love Sully? That’s ridiculous, right?
I haven’t known him that long, and we weren’t even really dating. It was all fake, right?
Who cares if he made my heart hammer harder than anything else ever has. Who cares if his smile made me feel warm and giddy, or if the smell of him was comforting, if his touch made me feel alive.
Who cares if it was real.
It wasn’t…was it?
“Jonas?”
“Yeah?”
“I think I fucked up.”
He laughs. “No shit, sis.”
“Thea? Did you hear me?”
“Huh?”
“I’ll take that as a no.” Dad runs a hand through his hair. “Listen, kid, I know the wedding is coming up and I’m sure you’re preoccupied with all your best man duties. Why don’t you head out early for your vacation? I know it’s not supposed to start until tomorrow, but I think you could use the break.”
A break? The last thing I need is a break.
A break means I’ll have way too much time to sit around and think about everything Sully asked me for…and how I ran away from it.
“I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night. No need for me to leave early.”
“Thea…you do realize we close in an hour, right? Leaving an hour early won’t break you.”
It might.
“What are you doing here anyway?” I ask, diverting his attention. “I thought you were at the other shop today.”
“What? I can’t come to check up on all my hard work?”
“Sure, but it just leads me to believe you don’t trust me.”
“Thea…” He pinches the bridge of his nose.
“I’m kidding.” Mostly. I turn my attention back to the car I’m currently elbow-deep in. “I’m just surprised you’re working and not getting ready for the wedding.”
“Are you serious? I live with your mother, where