body, I could tell he wanted to be anywhere but near me.
I hadn’t seen much of Kyle since I had moved back, and the few times our paths had crossed had been awkward. There had been one time where we had talked—right around the time Lena, Adam’s younger sister, had found out she was pregnant. I thought that maybe we could be something like friends at least.
But then ... nothing.
And now it seemed he was back to avoiding me at all costs.
“The only people who thought Shelly Thompson was nice were you and Laura. Everyone else knew better,” Kyle retorted.
“Okay, then. Well, that’s news to me.” I didn’t know what else to say. Why were we even talking about Shelly?
“Doesn’t surprise me you were oblivious. That seems to be your M.O.,” Kyle replied.
Ouch.
“I was wondering what was keeping you. Now I get it.” Meg appeared like some sort of guardian angel. As if picking up on the uncomfortable tension radiating between Kyle and myself, she angled her girth between us so that she could give her best friend a long hug. “You were hogging the best-looking guy in the room all to yourself, sis.” It seemed she had forgiven my earlier dickishness. Meg was a good person and an even better sister.
I met Kyle’s eyes briefly, and a strange buzzing started in my ears. In unison, we quickly looked away.
Kyle turned all of his attention to my sister, his face brightening, and his pretty hazel eyes were only looking at her. It was a similar look of adoration that he used to give me. I hadn’t realized how much I missed it.
I swallowed thickly and took a step back, feeling the need for space. It’s what I did best, after all.
“What are you doing out at a bar, Galloway? Shouldn’t you be at home with your feet up and Decate taking care of your every need?” Kyle chided her good-naturedly.
“Eh, I’m a big girl, I can take care of my own needs, thank you very much,” Meg insisted, then realizing how that sounded, she and Kyle laughed, his deep timbre reaching down into my guts and swirling up all sorts of nonsense.
“Whit texted me asking if I wanted to come out for a bit, and I jumped at the chance. I haven’t been out in forever. Skylar has been MIA for weeks working on that design project, and you and Adam keep leaving me out of all your guy stuff.” She pouted, and Kyle put his arm around her, pulling her into his side.
Leaning down he kissed the top of her red curls, and I felt myself wither up and die inside. “You hate watching basketball. We were just saving you from hours of mind-numbing boredom,” he assured her.
I watched the two of them chat, feeling like a total outsider. I never used to feel that way. Even though Kyle had been Meg’s friend, there was something between us—even from the beginning. I hadn’t known what it was for years. He had been my sister’s buddy. Slightly annoying in the way he followed me around, but deep down, I liked it. He was sweet and funny, and really smart. And he made me feel beautiful and funny and smart. It was easy to become addicted to that sort of feeling. I hadn’t known how addicted I was until I didn’t have it anymore. And then it was too late to do anything about it.
“Come join us, Web,” Meg pleaded in a way that she expected his agreement.
She underestimated his need to stay away from me.
Kyle looked at me again. A dozen emotions crossed over his face. I only wished I could figure out what they were.
“Yeah, join us,” I added weakly.
Kyle’s eyes were troubled and perhaps a little conflicted. Then he was looking at Meg again. “I wish I could, but I have to pick up Katie from Mom and Dad’s,” he said.
At the mention of his daughter, I perked up. “How is Katie?” I couldn’t help asking. I spent some time with the little girl over Christmas and had been completely enchanted by her.
Kyle smiled then, and I found myself smiling back. “She’s great. Starting daycare in a few days. Mom loves having her, but keeping up with a toddler is hard work.” I could tell by the hesitation in his voice that he was nervous about taking her to daycare.
I took a step toward him, my hand on the bar by his—not touching, but close. I could almost