Chapter 27
Just like any bad news,you have to let the person down gently.
I take a deep breath, typing out my text to Capri.
Jane
So my date didn’t go as planned tonight.
Capri
I should say so. It’s only nine p.m. and you’re already home. What happened?
Jane
I asked Walker if he would help me with tonight’s date.
Capri
Okay.
Her measured answer scares me.
Jane
I had him meet us at the bar to try to make Dustin jealous so I could get one of those ‘That’s my wife’ moments.
It sounds so stupid typing it out. How did I not see how terrible of a plan this was? It’s like I’m so desperate to find love—or to create a spark with someone other than Walker—I don’t even see the stupidity behind my own plans.
I’m better than this.
Capri
I’m guessing it didn’t work.
Jane
I think I laid it on a little too thick, so much so that Dustin punched Walker in the face.
Capri
Are you kidding me?!?
Jane
Nope, not kidding. Dustin really hit Walker. On his jaw, to be exact.
Capri
Why? I mean, we all know Walker deserves to be smacked around sometimes, but what did he do to make Dustin so jealous?
I bite my lip, reading her text. This is the part of the conversation I’ve been dreading, the part where I break Capri’s heart.
Jane
Walker kissed me.
The dots dance for fifteen seconds, torturing me with the unknown.
Capri
What kind of kiss?
I want to lie. I want to do something to ease the guilt in my chest.
Jane
Like a kiss kiss.
Please, let that description speak for itself, because I really don’t think I can go into more detail than that with her right now.
Capri
Did you know that was happening? Like, did you ask him to kiss you?
I can’t tell if she’s hurt, upset, or in denial.
Jane
No, I would never! That’s a complete breach of the BFF Code of Conduct. I promise I had no clue he was going to do that.
The dots dance some more, heightening my anxiety.
Capri
Jane, I don’t care about some silly rules we made when we were in junior high.
The tightness in my heart eases.
Jane
So you’re not mad?
Capri
Not at you.
False alarm. The tightness is back.
Capri
I’m mad at Walker for messing with you when I specifically told him to stay away from you.
I drop onto my bed as I read her text. Disappointment constricts every corner of my chest, making it hard to inhale.
Jane
You told him to stay away from me? Why?
Capri
Yeah, when he first came to Sunset Harbor, I told him you were off-limits. I should’ve known he would disregard what I said and do something stupid like this.
I feel bad that she’s blaming Walker just when their relationship was starting to improve. I’m no innocent bystander here, but how do I explain that to Capri?
Jane
Don’t be mad at Walker. It’s my fault for egging him on and bringing him into all of this. And I thought he was trying. You know, doing better around the family.
Capri
I thought he was changing, maturing a little, but him kissing you proves I was wrong.
Jane
I don’t think it proves you were wrong. He can still be trying with your family despite kissing me.
Capri
Why are you defending him so much?
This is the moment of truth. I have to come clean for my crimes. I tap on Capri’s picture and flip over to a phone call. It rings once before she picks up.
“You’re calling me. This can’t be good.”
“I just didn’t want things to get lost in translation over text.”
“Jane, what’s going on?”
I straighten, ready to blurt my lifelong secret. “I might have a small crush on your brother.”
I’m starting off slow with the truth, and I’ll add to it as we go. There’s no sense in dropping the atomic bomb of I’ve loved your brother my whole life at the beginning of the conversation. We can ease into that revelation.
“Noooo, Jane. Nooooo.” The disapproval in her voice is enough to break me.
“I promise I’m your friend first and that I’m not using you to get to him.”
“Would you stop with that? I don’t care about any of that.”
My brows lift. “You don’t?”
“No, we have years of friendship behind us, proving you’re not using me to get to Walker.”
“Then why did you sound so disappointed when I told you I had a crush on him?”
“Because I don’t want to see you end up with a broken heart. Nothing against Walker. I love him. He’s my brother. But I know how he is. He doesn’t take any relationship seriously, and that’s even on a good day. But right now, he’s like a train wreck. His life is in shambles, and you’re here and an easy distraction so he doesn’t have to think about how bad things are going for him.”
I want to shout dramatically, ‘You’re wrong!’ and then hang up the phone, but Capri is not wrong. I think that’s what hurts the most. I know everything she’s saying is true.
“He’s taking advantage of you, Jane. Not intentionally, but you want to fall in love, and he’s a willing participant in your game. It’s classic Walker.”
“You’re right.” I drop my head. “Classic Walker. How did I not see it?”
“I feel bad, like I’ve dashed your hopes and dreams.”
“Not at all.” I smile, even though she can’t see—it’s supposed to make me sound cheery. “Like I said, it was just a crush…the beginnings of a crush, really. Nothing I’ve pinned my hopes and dreams on, so you’re all good there.”
Apparently, I’m good at lying on the spot.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“I just… I don’t want to see your heart get broken. Or have him completely derail your Summer of Jane Hayes because, in a few weeks, he’ll be gone, and then you’ll be left all alone.”
My least favorite thing to be.
“No, nothing’s derailed,” I say enthusiastically.
The second I say the words, I know they aren’t true.
Walker’s kiss demolished any hope I had to find chemistry with someone else this summer.
I’m ruined.
Damaged goods.
I gently rub my finger over my mouth where, forty-five minutes ago, Walker’s lips changed mine forever.
I’m not sure how I can come back from a kiss like that.
“I mean, tonight I got a guy to say, ‘That’s my girl!’ I’m hitting my stride. I can’t give up now.”
“Yeah, see? Things are starting to come together with your plans. Just keep trucking along.”
“I plan to.”
“But Jane, you’ll cool things with Walker, right?”
“Yes, of course.” I nod. “That’s easy to do. No problem.”
“I can’t wait to see what happens on your next date.”
“Me too.” I force a laugh. “I’ll keep you posted.”
A terrible gash rips through my heart as I end the call.
How can I not listen to Capri’s advice to stay away from Walker?
She’s my best friend.