so. Just before they got engaged. We haven’t told Clara yet because I wanted her to be excited about the wedding. We’re not sure if we’ll tell them before their honeymoon or when they get back to Brookline. I’m excited that my little sister’s moving to the States. She’d want to be close to her niece or nephew, and Massachusetts is closer than Melbourne.” Alex took a long pull of his beer then placed the empty glass bottle on the roof of the golf cart.
“You’re going to make an excellent father.” It was the truth. Even as a teenager, Julian saw it. Alex had it programmed in him. The way he looked after and loved Clara so unconditionally throughout the years was more than enough proof that he would.
“Thanks, Julian. I hope so. I just wanna be more than what my dad gave Clara. I’m just going to love that little kid. I love him or her already.” Alex gave Julian a pleased nod and looked over at the golf club.
“Noel gets married and you’re having a kid. When the fuck did everyone suddenly grow up?”
Alex chuckled. “It’s good to have you home. Rob and your dad have missed you. Let’s go back inside and have ourselves a memorable night!”
Julian nodded and followed Alex back into the wedding.
Rob’s hand settled on the small of her back, and she missed the feeling of his touch. He was safe and strong. She missed their closeness and friendship in the last few weeks that they had been apart. Keeping it a secret was a tough task. Noel and Clara had just gotten engaged, and it seemed cruel to dampen their blissful moment with the news of her unwillingness to try more with Rob.
Stevie wasn’t sure how she’d missed it. How she hadn’t connected the dots. Rob’s blue eyes were a fraction off Julian’s, but staring at them, she now saw it. The reason why Rob brought it all back was because he was the older brother of the man she’d lost her virginity to.
“You okay?” Rob asked in that low voice she had come to love. He’d never used it on anyone else. Just her. She cared for Rob, even loved him. But it wasn’t the love he expected from her or the love he deserved so she was stepping aside. She didn’t deserve to keep Rob’s heart; that honour was not hers to be bestowed with.
“I’m fine,” she lied.
“I wish you’d have given me a chance, Stevie,” he said sadly, swaying her in time with the soft music.
“Rob,” she breathed out as the sadness settled on her chest.
“I don’t want to be with Jewel. I’ve said that so many times, but you don’t want to believe me. I thought I did, but then I met you and I don’t understand my life without you. These last two weeks, not hearing from you, have been painful. You’re like my best friend, Stevie.”
The hurt in his eyes had her looking away for a moment. The guilty feeling that used to settle now consumed her. The reason she couldn’t make it work was because of his brother and the fact she couldn’t forget him.
“Rob, it wasn’t working. Dinners and PJ’s was fun. You think you want me, but I’m only just going to be your friend. You’ll find someone. I know it. It’s just not me. And you’re like my best friend, but I can’t be more with you. It’s not fair,” she said stepping out of their dance.
“Stevie,” he begged quietly, ensuring they didn’t make a scene.
Ash-blonde curls caught her attention and she grabbed Ally’s arm, yanking her for attention. “You haven’t danced with Ally yet. We’ll talk later, Rob. Just enjoy today, for Noel and Clara. Can you do that?” Stevie saw the way Rob looked at Ally, and although he tried to hide it, it was clear she fascinated him.
“I…uhh was about to find Liam,” Ally stuttered, studying her hands.
“I thought we were dancing, Stevie?” Rob ignored Ally’s presence.
Stevie sighed and gently nudged Ally into Rob’s chest. She had noticed him tense before his hands were on Ally’s arms, pushing her aside.
“Sorry,” Ally mumbled.
“I have to go,” Rob mumbled, irritated. The apology in his eyes was hard to miss. He was reluctant and that left Stevie with a sour taste in her mouth. He had stared past Ally before he started to walk away.
“Robert Moors!” Stevie called out, and he stopped.
He turned around and raked his fingers through his hair. “What, Stevie?”