Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“I’ll pass, thanks.”
“Come on, man, we’ve been friends a long time. Talk to me.”
That comment was too much to roll off Gray’s back. “I am not your friend.” He closed the freezer, turned around, and looked Jaime in the eyes. “You’re Jack’s friend so I tolerate you. But you’ve never been my friend.”
Jaime winced as if Gray had hit him. “What did I do?”
“You know what? I changed my mind.” Gray stomped toward Jaime. “This is very much the day, and I am absolutely the one.” He planted both palms on the table and leaned over Jaime. “You want to know why I don’t like you?”
“Yes. Let’s hash this out so we can clear up whatever it is and put it behind us.”
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen.” Gray shook his head.
Jaime looked taken aback, but he gathered himself quickly and plastered on one of his I’m-oh-so-charming-and-everyone-loves-me smiles. “I’m pretty convincing.” He pointed to the chair across from his. “Please sit down. The looming’s making me uncomfortable.”
“Why do you think I’m doing it?”
“Let me try a different approach.” Jaime sucked in a deep breath and then loudly let it out. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” Gray straightened and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
“What did you do that warrants this definitely sincere and completely convincing apology?”
“I don’t know yet,” Jaime said. “But whatever it is has you really upset and I’m sorry about that.”
The guy could have taught snake oil salesmen a trick or two. “Your affable persona bit doesn’t charm me, Jaime. You can save it.”
“I’m not putting on a persona. How long have we known each other, Gray? Fifteen years? Twenty? I realize that we aren’t as close with each other as we are with the rest of our friends, but you know me.”
“I do know you. I know you and that’s why I don’t like you.” He glared at the man who had decimated Jack’s self-worth and still felt entitled to come to his house for dinner. “You may be the hero in your story, Jaime, but you’re the villain in mine.”
Jaime’s jaw dropped.
“Tell me something.” He pulled out a chair and sat across from Jaime. “Why did you date Jack?”
After staring for a couple of seconds, Jaime closed his mouth, wiped his palm across his forehead, and rolled his shoulders, as if to gather himself. “I dated Jack because he’s amazing. I’d think you’re the last person who needs that explained.”
“I know he’s amazing. He’s amazing in a lot of ways. He’s an amazing friend. He’s an amazing business partner.” He rested his forearms on the table and leaned forward. “Why did you date him?”
“I’m not sure how to respond to that.”
“Too difficult a question? I have another one. Why didn’t you break up with him when you realized you weren’t in love with him?”
“I love Jack.” Jaime sounded offended. “I’ve always loved Jack.”
“Bullshit.”
“Excuse me?”
“That’s not how you treat someone you love.”
“I never mistreated him!”
“No? So you’re looking me in the eyes and telling me that for the ten years you were with him, you were in love with him and you told him that and you showed him that and you made sure he felt that every day in every way?”
“I didn’t…” Jaime frowned. “It was complicated. You don’t understand.”
“I’m a quick learner.” Gray leaned back in his chair. “Explain it to me.”
“Jack is amazing, like I said. He’s smart. He’s funny. He’s handsome. He’s everything someone should want in a boyfriend.”
“We agree on all that. And yet, you didn’t actually want him to be your boyfriend, but you didn’t let him go.”
“I wanted to want him.” Jaime lowered his gaze. “I tried for years to want him. I tried so hard to want him. But it didn’t work.”
“You made the point, walked into the point, and then tripped over the point, but you still can’t see what you did wrong.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that’s not what it means to be in love with someone. Trust me, I know. I’ve been in love with Jack for a very long time. I’ve never had to try. I want to show him how I feel about him every second of every day. And I don’t spend those days fixated on myself.”
“You’re right.” He squeezed his eyes shut, grimacing. “I wasn’t in love with him.” He opened his eyes and looked at Gray again. “I did love him. I still do love him.” He pressed his lips together and shook his head. “He’s the best person I know. That’s why I stuck it out for that long.”
“You tried to keep one foot on the boat and the other foot on the dock, and Jack’s the one who fell into the lake.”
“I'm not sure I’m following your many analogies, but regardless, you do realize that I didn’t force Jack to stay with me, right? There were two of us in that relationship voluntarily. He could have left me at any time.”