One Guy I'd Never Date

by Remi Carrington

  “Are you going to move?”

  “I’m thinking about it.”

  He trailed his fingers up and down my back. “If you decide to do that, I’ll help you move.”

  “You don’t think it’s a bad idea?”

  “I didn’t think Hank would pout this long. I’ll support whatever you decide to do.”

  “Thank you.”

  He lifted me out of his lap. “It’s getting late. You have to see straight to take pictures tomorrow.”

  “True. I should go.” I held his hand as I walked to the door.

  “Carrot, you know where my key is. Use it whenever you want.”

  I hadn’t shown up unannounced yet. “I’ll use it when I need it. With the way things are, this feels more like home than my house.”

  It was true, but it had nothing to do with the structures.

  His goodbye kiss felt like butterflies dancing on my lips. “Night. Text me when you get home.”

  I kissed his cheek. “I will.”

  Chapter 26

  I walked into the kitchen as Hank closed the refrigerator. “Hi. How was your week?”

  He carried his bottle of water out of the kitchen, ignoring my question. The front door closed a minute later, and his truck backed out of the driveway.

  Three weeks of putting up with Hank’s cold shoulder had taken its toll. I wasn’t staying home tonight to endure his drama. In fact, I wasn’t going to stay here anymore. Tomorrow, I’d let Nacha know I was going to move in with her.

  I picked up the remote, trying to decide where to hide it. I slipped into Hank’s room and dropped it into his underwear drawer. He wouldn’t blame me for that. Since it was buried under the stuff in the back—that Nacha had given him—he might never find it.

  I left the house before he got back so I didn’t have to pretend I had no idea where the remote was.

  Spending the evening with Zach had become routine, but he was working late. And I made it a point not to bother Eve after work now that she was married . . . at least until the newlywed phase was over. I wasn’t even sure how long that phase lasted.

  Zach had mentioned the key more than once.

  So I went to Zach’s even though he wasn’t home. I fished his key out of its hidey-hole.

  After ordering pizza . . . twice, I stuffed myself and cried until my eyes were red and puffy. Feeling like I’d betrayed my brother, I sobbed. But what hurt worse was that with Zach, I was happy, and Hank wouldn’t even acknowledge that.

  Why was his happiness more important?

  I tugged a blanket up to my chin and curled up on the couch.

  Hopefully, Zach would be home soon.

  Zach brushed a finger along my cheek. “Carrot, let’s get you into a bed. The way you’re curled up, your neck will not be happy in the morning.”

  I sat up and rubbed my face. “Sorry. I should’ve told you I was coming. Surprising a guy who carries a gun isn’t a great idea.”

  He sat down and opened his arms.

  I crawled into his lap. As much as I wanted things to be right with my brother, I couldn’t imagine walking away from Zach. I loved him. Tearing out my heart would be easier.

  That was not a pretty word picture.

  “You didn’t surprise me. If I hadn’t noticed the yellow car in the driveway, the pizza boxes on the counter would’ve been a clue about the redheaded Goldilocks on my couch.”

  Resting my head on his chest, I wiped my eyes. “I ordered a pizza the way we like it—half all meat, half supreme—but I was so upset, I ate your half too. I didn’t even pick off the veggies. So I had to order another one. It’s in the fridge.”

  He wrapped his arms around me. “What has you so upset that you’re eating veggies?”

  “Hank didn’t really do anything different. It’s just hard. Doubly so since we’re in the house where we grew up. When we silently pass each other in the hall, I can almost see my parents shaking their heads. They’d hate this.” I shifted to look Zach in the eye and struggled to restrain my sobs. “And please don’t suggest that we stop seeing each other. I mean unless you want to break up with me. If that’s the case, then it’s okay if you tell me. But please don’t let Hank be the reason. And I decided to move out.”

  In the short time we’d been dating, I’d fallen in love. But I couldn’t tell him. Not yet.

  “The thought of not dating hadn’t even popped into my head.” Zach pulled my head back to his chest. “And if you need to cry, that’s okay.”

  When he said that, I sobbed.

  He rubbed my back and kissed my head. “I’m sorry. I thought that after three weeks, Hank would’ve been okay with everything.”

  “Before, I thought maybe I should have Nacha talk to him. He said himself that she makes him a better person. And last night she offered.”

  Zach shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Not at all.” He kissed my forehead. “I’ll handle it.”

  “How? You going to let him slug you until he feels better?” I worked to catch my breath.

  He gave a quick huff of a laugh. “Let’s consider that option B.”

  “I thought moving in with Nacha was option B.”

  “Then we’ll label it option C.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I’ll think of something.”

  The next afternoon, I’d almost forgotten Zach’s assurance that he’d handle things. But needing a distraction, I’d arranged to go shopping with Nacha after work. While we were out, I’d let her know about my decision to move in.

  “I’m sorry we had to go out of our way, Nacha. I’m the worst about spilling stuff on myself.” I fished my keys out as she drove through Stadtburg.

  She stopped for a light, one of three in town. “You stayed at Zach’s last night?”

  “In the guest room. I’m hoping Hank isn’t home because I really don’t want a lecture.” I hadn’t brought up moving into her extra bedroom.

  “You going over there again tonight?” She asked more questions than usual.

  I shifted in my seat. “Maybe. I don’t know. Zach knows we’re going shopping, so he’s not expecting me until later.”

  She turned onto my street, and I gasped.

  “That’s Zach’s truck. He must’ve come over here after work. I didn’t think this was what he meant by ‘I’ll handle it.’ Please don’t let them be fighting.”

  She slammed the car into park as soon as she turned into the driveway. “I’m coming in with you.”

  The front door was unlocked, and we slipped inside unnoticed.

  They weren’t in the living room.

  A chair scraped across the floor in the kitchen, and Zach hollered. “It became my business when she started sobbing on my couch at two in the morning. You want to act like the last twenty years didn’t happen and we were never friends? Fine! But don’t do this to her. Don’t!”

  “You don’t understand at all.” Hank shouted even louder.

  I stepped forward, but Nacha caught my arm.

  “Let them finish.” She inhaled, clearly as bothered as I was.

  “You’re right, Hank. I don’t understand. I’m your best friend. But I need you to understand that I love your sister.”

  “You think you love her. It won’t last.”

  “You’re wrong. With her, I don’t have to filter every word out of my mouth, concerned I might say something that she’ll twist into an insult. I don’t get home after dealing with an unsettling crime scene and worry that she’ll take my bad mood personally. I can be myself with her. She’s funny and quirky and tailored for me. It’s like I was always meant to love her. And I think she loves me too.” He paused. Was he choked up?

  I was.

  Nacha hugged me.

  “I spent years thinking it was a fun game trying to make Carrot laugh when she’d tag along. But I didn’t realize until a few months ago—it’s more than a game. I like making her laugh. I love being responsible for the smile on her face. And, Hank, I
know you understand. I saw the way you were with Nacha—”

  “Leave her out of this,” Hank snapped.

  Nacha bolted toward the kitchen. So much for letting them finish. “Zach, please give us a minute.”

  “What are you . . .” Hank didn’t finish his question.

  Zach walked into the living room and gave me a weak smile. “You heard?”

  I nodded. Talking wasn’t possible at that moment.

  He pulled me into his arms.

  We both braced for the conversation in the kitchen.

  “Hank, what is wrong with you? Are you determined to destroy everyone’s happily-ever-after? It wasn’t enough that you broke my heart? Now you want to do the same thing to Zach and Haley? Is that it?”

  “No.” He sounded like a chastised child.

  My grand plan wasn’t so grand after all. Nothing about what she said was soothing.

  “That’s what you’re doing. Anyone can see that they care about each other. He makes her happy. All day, it’s ‘Zach this and Zach that.’ Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  Hank didn’t say anything, but maybe he nodded. I couldn’t see, and it seemed rude to peek around the corner.

  “If you don’t grow up, Haley’s moving in with me. What do you think of that?”

  “I don’t want anyone else to leave me.” Hank’s words were barely audible.

  I buried my face in Zach’s chest.

  “Then you should quit pushing people away.” Nacha stopped in the doorway and looked back over her shoulder. “And I wasn’t the one who left.” Wiping her tears, she walked past us and out the front door.

  Zach kissed the top of my head. “We should probably go.”

  Lacing my fingers with his, I followed him to the door.

  “Zach, Haley, wait.” Hank shoved his hands in his pockets. “Did she leave?”

  “She’s outside.” I stepped toward him. “We only came by so I could change my shirt. I didn’t know you’d both be here. I never meant for her . . .”

  He shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I deserved it.” He rubbed the toe of his shoe on a spot where soda had spilled on the carpet. “Would you really move out?”

  “Yes, I quit unpacking boxes weeks ago, and I started packing last night. You don’t even speak to me.” I moved back toward Zach. “Is it really so awful for me to be dating Zach?”

  Hank shook his head. “It’s just different. I don’t want to feel like the tag-along.”

  That was something I knew well. “It’s not all that bad.”

  He laughed. “Funny.”

  “We should go camping this weekend.” Zach had to be talking to Hank because I knew he wasn’t inviting me.

  “Yeah.” Hank looked up. “I’m sorry I’ve been so . . .”

  “So what?” I pinched my lips to keep from laughing.

  “Really, Haley?” He scratched his head. “I’ll say it just to make you happy. I’ve been stupid and horrible to both of you. I really hope it’s not too late for y’all to forgive me.” He stared out at Nacha’s car. “I wasn’t trying to destroy anyone’s happily-ever-after.”

  I seriously needed to find a way to get those two into a room together for a civil conversation. Even during the uncivil one, they’d communicated more than they had in months. But I’d promised Zach I wouldn’t play matchmaker. And I intended to keep that promise.

  Chapter 27

  Shopping didn’t happen. After the hubbub, I couldn’t even remember what I wanted to buy. Nacha barely waited for me to say goodbye before backing out of the driveway.

  It hurt to see her upset.

  “Hank, I’ll see what reservation we can get for tomorrow night, and I’ll text you. If you want to come over to the house with us now . . .” Zach let the invitation dangle. Of all times for him to try and be nice.

  I silently hoped Hank didn’t want to go to Zach’s right now.

  “Text me. After what Haley overheard—I’m guessing you hadn’t told her yet—y’all have stuff to talk about.” Hank grinned. “And I’d rather not be in the middle of that one. Awkward.”

  “So, we’re okay?” I really needed the pretty package with the nice little bow.

  Hank hugged me. “We’re good. Please don’t move out.”

  “I can’t promise that I won’t move out at some point.” Choosing my words carefully, I tried not to make it weird.

  Hank rolled his eyes. “I know that. I mean now . . . because of me.”

  “I won’t.” I turned to Zach. “I forgot to change my shirt.”

  “You look beautiful the way you are. Let’s go.” He tugged me toward the truck.

  I wrenched my hand free. “I have a huge red splotch on it.”

  “Please, can we go to the house? I will let you borrow one of mine.” He opened the passenger-side door.

  “You’re all dressed up today.” I ran a finger down the buttons on his dress shirt then straightened his tie. “Can I have this one?”

  “Just don’t spill anything on it. I need it for when I go to court.” He loosened his tie then reached for the top button.

  Laughing, I swatted his hands. “I was joking.”

  “I know.” He kissed me then ran around to his side of the truck.

  I latched my seatbelt. “I was really surprised—”

  “Not yet.”

  “You don’t even know what I was going to say.” I grabbed his hand. “But I’ll be nice.”

  He smiled and squeezed my hand.

  Five minutes later, we were in his driveway. “Wait here a second.” He ran into the house.

  Three seconds later, he opened my door. “Okay. Everything is ready.”

  “Ready for what?”

  “What I said earlier—I wanted to tell you face to face. I didn’t mean for you to hear me shouting it at your brother.” He pushed open the front door. “I was going to tell you tonight.”

  A vase filled with peonies sat in the living room.

  “They’re beautiful.”

  “I didn’t know your favorite.” He tugged me into the kitchen. “So I got a few different kinds.”

  Zinnias were arranged in a pale blue crock.

  “There are roses in the dining room and sunflowers on the back patio.” He opened the fridge. “I even had them make up a bouquet of carrots.”

  “I’m completely overwhelmed . . . in a good way. A seriously good way.”

  “I know it’s only been a few weeks. But I don’t need to wait to know that I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “I know you do.” He lifted me onto the counter and cradled my face in his hands. “Now I know what it means when you smile at me like I’m something special. I didn’t know that before.” Softly and gently, he brushed his lips against mine. “I was about to switch to option C when Nacha ran in.”

  “That’s how much you love me.”

  “Watching you cry is heart-wrenching.” He kissed my hand and set me on the floor. “I’d do anything for you.”

  “I was so surprised to see your truck at the house. When I walked in and heard you—” I swallowed back the lump in my throat. “I never thought I’d be so happy that I walked through poison oak, twisted my ankle, and fell in cactus.”

  “Me too.” He carried me into the living room. “Let me go change, then I’ll make us dinner.”

  “Zach, this is perfect.” I didn’t let go of his arm. “And I don’t really have a favorite flower. You can surprise me with whatever.”

  He kissed me. “I’ll only be two minutes.”

  “While you change, I’m going to go gather up the other flowers.” I sniffed the peonies. “No one has ever given me flowers before.”

  “It won’t be the last time.” He blew me a kiss.

  Still wearing my shirt with the big stain on it, I leaned back in the lounge chair. The day had ended so much better than it had begun. “I was shocked when Nacha went off on Hank and even more shocked that what she said changed his mind.”


  “I was glad it ended well. That could’ve blown up.” Zach turned on music and opened his arms. “Care to dance?”

  I stepped up close. “Always. Though I was very befuddled, I really enjoyed dancing with you at the wedding.”

  “If I’d have known dancing with you would make me feel all fluttery, I’d have asked you to prom.” He winked.

  “You love teasing me, don’t you?”

  “I love lots of things about you.” He twirled me.

  I snuggled close as a slow song came on. “I hope you and Hank smooth things out when you go camping. I know he seems okay with it, but I want everything back to normal.”

  “We will. We’ll fish, exchange five, maybe ten words, and settle into a new normal.”

  “I’m really happy about that.” I hated being ignored by my brother, but tearing apart their friendship hurt even worse.

  Zach dipped me then pulled me back to his chest. “I should never have done that to you at Christmas. I’m sorry. My actions said one thing, and my words said another.”

  “I convinced myself that was your way of trying to be friends.”

  “You know how many handmade gifts I made?”

  The answer was obvious as soon as he asked the question.

  “One?”

  Holding me close, he whispered in my ear. “I planted a cactus for you. A tiny little cactus with spines so teeny, they are hard to see when they get stuck in a finger. Ask me how I know.”

  “So, I guess maybe you are a bit reckless.”

  “Only when it comes to you.”

  I pressed a kiss to his neck. “I love you, Zach.”

  He danced us to a chair then pulled me into his lap. Tangling his fingers in my hair, he pulled me close to his lips. “You need to change your ringtone.”

  “Why are we talking about ringtones? Kiss me.”

  “Because you don’t bring me down.” Our lips danced, making our first kiss seem like a playground peck.

  I loved this patio almost as much as I loved Zach.

  Chapter 28

  Zach’s patio was the favorite gathering spot for our friends during summer. At least once a month, we held a backyard barbeque. He didn’t always smoke a brisket, but it was always fun.