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I hold back an eye roll at the guy's name.
“Where’d you get that idea?”
“You’re easy to read. Staring all night, looking like a wounded puppy. She thinks it’s for her own good to pretend she doesn’t notice.”
I don't respond, and the car is silent for long stretch.
"Do you think that’s true?" Vic asks.
“That it’s for her own good?” I shrug. “It’s complicated.”
“Is it? I mean it’s not ideal that your brother is…” She cringes and I fail to hold in my snort of amusement. “But you’re both big kids now. You should make decisions that make you happy.”
Maybe she reads the hesitation on my face, because she adds, “You make her happy.”
“It doesn’t seem like that’s true right now.”
“You really are clueless.”
I shrug.
“It could be so simple.”
“Anything else?” I know I sound like a jerk, but there’s only one person I wish was in my car telling me about Autumn’s feelings and it’sAutumn.
But it will never be simple. Even if Autumn still liked me, if she thought of me the way I was trying not to think of her, it wouldn’t matter. There are other parts of this equation.
Vic studies me as if something on my face will tell her which magic words will break through.
“Yeah, actually,” she finally says. “If you think I’m wrong, why would she leave her own party to see where you went?”
“What do you—” I’m interrupted by a knock on my window that makes me jump. “Autumn?” I start to roll my window down, but decide against it and get out of the car. It’s obviously not myfirst time seeing her in that little dress, but my breath leaves my lungs at the sight of her in the moonlight.
“What are you guys doing?” She tries to sound casual but I can see the concern on her face. I just can’t tell if it’s because I left or because she’s overthinking the reason her friend is currently sitting in my car. Said friend has decided not to move from the passenger seat, but she’s not acknowledging that we’re out here.
"She followed me out as I was leaving," I explain. “We talked.”
She nods her head slowly.
"Why are you leaving?"
I shrug. I’m great at that tonight.
"What's wrong?"
It's obvious that Vic is within earshot even with the car door closed so I shrug again. It feels like I have stage fright over talking to someone I love talking to.
She rolls her eyes when I don't respond.
She reaches past me and bangs on the window behind me.
"Will you go inside, please?"
Without a word, Vic gets out of my car and makes her way back towards the apartment. She gives us a little wave before she disappears.
I like Vic, I think she’s a good friend to Autumn. I just wish she was right.
It could be so simple.
