Page 97 of Pick Me This Time

I was done giving Eric time to process and I was done taking that time myself. This wasn’t some game of strategy where either of us would come up with a way to win as long as we outsmarted each other.

These were our lives and we were being idiots about it. Before I went back to the farm, I drove to Eric’s garage. We hadn’t spoken since we’d had that fight a couple days ago, and it was about time we cleared the air.

He was in his office when I walked in, sorting through some paperwork on his desk. I strode right in without knocking, shutting the door with a firm click behind me. He looked up, his features dropping into a scowl when he saw me.

“What do you want?”

“To talk.” I pulled his visitors’ chair out and flipped it around, sinking down with my front pressed against the backrest. “We’ve been friends a long time, Eric. I know you’re hurt. I know you’re disappointed, and that you’re feeling betrayed, and that you might even hate me a little bit right now, but we’ve gotten through worse than this. We can get through this as well.”

“Since you seem to think you know exactly how I feel, what makes you think we can get through this?” He folded his arms across his chest and glared at me. “We’ve never gotten through you sleeping with my sister, friend. That’s about as bad as it gets, but I suppose you wouldn’t know. How could you?”

Ouch. “That was a cheap shot, but I’ll take it. You’re right. I can’t know what it’s like, but I do know that people generally want what’s best for those they love.”

“And you think you’re what’s best for my sister?” He scoffed, shaking his head at me. “I beg to differ.”

“That’s why I’m here. So we can talk. Hopefully work through our differences.”

He lifted an eyebrow at me. “Does that mean you’re staying?”

“Honestly? I don’t know. I have a lot of shit to figure out, but I’m really trying to do that. For now, the most important thing you should know is that I really do feel something for her, Eric. This goes beyond a fun distraction while I’m home.”

“It can’t go beyond that unless you’re staying, and since you don’t know if that’s what’s happening, I need to get back to work. You know where the fucking door is.”

I stood and showed him my palms. “Alright. Do what you need to do, but I’m still here and I’m not going anywhere right now. I realize that you’re not convinced, but I came to let you know that I’m still in this. I might not have everything completely figured out and I might not be able to give you the answers you want, but I do have feelings for her and I’m not just going to give up. So think about it. Let me know when you’re ready to actually talk.”

Having said my piece, I held his gaze for another moment, then turned and walked away, satisfied that I’d given him enough to think about for now.