Page 26 of Finding His Fox

“So, you aren’t telling me anything, huh?”

“Nope,” I said, still looking at the TV. Because I knew if I looked at my best friend, I would tell him everything.

About how I had the most amazing time with Cal the other day over breakfast. That underneath that grumpy exterior, he was a real softy on the inside.

How Cal also had an unexpectedly funny and flirty side to him.

I was also dying to tell Ian how Cal gave me the courage to finally open up and come to terms with my past. That Cal didn’t say anything when I told him what happened to my parents.

That Cal comforted me and made me feel safe. How he held me when I finally broke down and became a crumbly mess.

Even Ian didn’t know why I left Fox Haven.

More importantly, I wanted to tell Ian that Cal was… unexpected. He was dangerously moving from ‘friend’ to ‘someone I like’ territory. That scared me a little.

I was worried of how he made me feel. And if I let myself fully open up to Cal, I was afraid it would be like opening the floodgates and I wouldn’t be able to survive.

I couldn’t tell Ian anything because I couldn’t even begin to describe what exactly Cal and I were.

I wasn’t ready to label it and I didn’t want to.

“But you’ll tell me when you’re ready, right?” Ian asked softly.

Ian placed his hand over mine and squeezed it.

Ian knew I had a hard time letting myself get close to someone. I don’t think I’ve ever told him the real reason, only that I didn’t believe in love.

He didn’t know the whole truth—that I never wanted to fall into the trap called love.

However, Ian had never prodded me for an explanation, either. And now, he was giving me the same space I needed to process what Cal meant to me.

He knew that it would take me time to come to terms with whatever I was feeling, and I appreciated that about him.

“I will,” I said, finally turning to face him and squeezed his hand back in return.

There was a soft knock on the door. Ian quickly stood up and went to the door. Was that the food?

I had just ordered a few minutes ago, and I was pretty sure Owen’s cabin was far from the town center.

“You made it!” I heard Ian exclaim.

Wait. Did he invite someone else to our movie night?

“Thanks for inviting me,” Ian’s guest said.

He came into the living room and spotted me. “Hi! You must be Nate. I’m Cliff,” he said.

Cliff reached out a hand, but quickly retracted it when I didn’t take it. He gave a little wave instead.

“I brought some barbecued ribs. My brother James made it,” Cliff continued, holding up an aluminium tray.

“We always have Chinese on movie night,” I said flatly.

Cliff looked surprised and a little hurt. I immediately felt bad for being rude. Ian did mention Cliff before. I just didn’t expect him to come tonight.

This was our first real movie night since Ian moved to Fox Haven. To be honest, I thought tonight would just be Ian and me, like old times.

“This looks great.” Ian stepped in between us and took the platter. ‘Be nice’ he mouthed to me, and I nodded.