Chapter 5
Five
Christian
I grab my box from the bag and make my way to the break room, leaving Wren with Bianca. I have no idea what the hell just happened back there, but I'm pretty sure she was hinting at having a thing for me in school as well. Maybe she still does. Dios mio, I really wish I had someone I could talk to about this.
Walker would be first on my list, but this isn't something I can discuss with him. As much as I wish I could, it's a bad idea. He'd get pissed at Wren, and the last thing I want to do is throw a wrench into their relationship. With siblings of my own, I know how important that bond is. He'd also murder me for thinking about his sister at all.
"You look like you have a lot on your mind." My fork flies out of my hand at the sound of Corey's voice. A guy as big as him shouldn't be able to move so silently.
"You should make some noise when you enter a room," I grumble as I pick up the fork from the floor and toss it in the trash. Grabbing another fork from the middle of the table, I dig into the cheesy fries.
"Then I wouldn't be able to scare the hell out of you kids. Why take away all the fun?"
"Whatever you say, old man." I take another bite.
"So, Charleigh says you have a thing for Wren."
Of course, she did. Why can't she mind her own business? She doesn't have to stick her foot into every little thing happening in this shop. "Charleigh has a big mouth."
"Spoken like a true little sibling," he chuckles. "And you're not wrong. I take it you knew her before she showed up in the lobby?"
"Yeah," I say between bites. "She's my best friend's sister. Had a crush on her from eighth grade until she moved away when I was a sophomore."
"Do you still have a crush on her?"
Shrugging, I take another bite. Anything to hold off answering the question. "Maybe? I don't know. It's possible I never stopped. But I'm not sure it's worth ruing my friendship with Walker over."
Corey says nothing for a few moments, letting my admission sink in. "Do you think he'd understand if you pursued your crush?"
I snort, unable to help it. "I'm going to go with no. Anytime someone mentions his sister, he gets mad." It's one reason he only allows a select few to be close with. If he even caught a friend glancing toward Wren, he would end that friendship.
"You never know. Maybe he'd be okay with it."
Would he? I think not, but it's worth a shot. Especially after the vibe she was giving me when we picked up the food. That doesn't come out of nowhere. She has to have some sort of feelings toward me. Right?
"Do you really think I should? I've already made an ass of myself twice today. I don't want to do it again."
Corey leans back as if he can see through the wall of the break room. He's so annoying sometimes. "I saw the way she was watching you when you came back to the shop. I think it's worth looking into."
"Has anyone mentioned you're as nosey as your niece?"
This time, his laugh is loud. "Your sister has many times. Where do y'all think she gets it from?"
"You have a point." I look at my half-finished burger and fries. I'll wait until I'm done eating. There's time. "I'll think about it."
"Good." Corey nods as he stands. "Let me know if you need any advice."
I roll my eyes as he leaves the room. This shop is full of busybodies. Butting in when they aren't wanted. If I had a guess, Bianca asked Corey to talk to me. It's the only thing that makes sense. Not that he's ever treated me like crap, but because he's the father figure of the shop.
I want to ask her, but that means being around Wren again. And I can't take that today. My phone buzzes on the table. Shit. I forgot to text Walker back.
Grabbing my phone, I lean back in my chair. Wondering what I should say to him. Telling him I've always had feelings for his sister is not a conversation to be had over text messages.
Walker: Hey, what are you doing tonight?
Christian: Working. You know damn well I don't get out of here until after midnight.
Walker: Want to come over when you get off? I got a new game.
Christian: It depends how tired I am. The appointment book is pretty full.
The dots on the message show up and disappear. Finally, they show up again seconds before his next text comes through.
Walker: Did my sister finally show up?
Christian: Yeah, I saw her while I was cleaning the bathrooms. I didn't know she was going to be working here.
Walker: Yeah. I didn't know who all she wanted to know. Apparently, some shady shit was happening at the shop in San Antonio. I'm glad she's home, though. It'll be nice to annoy the hell out of someone again.
Christian: Um, you do that to me, stupid.
Walker: Just let me know if you come over. I'm about to download this game.
Christian: Cool, I'll let you know.
That asshole. He knew she was coming home. My sister knew Wren was coming back. Neither of them thought to tell me. Why would they, though? It's not like either of them knew how I felt about her.
Well, I'm certain Bianca did. She somehow knows everything without asking a single thing. Even now when she doesn't live in the same town. If I didn't know better, I'd think she had cameras stashed around the house.
Wren and Bianca are going over the appointment book at the front desk. Before Sophia comes back, I'm going to bring them into the twenty-first century. For now, though... I'm going to avoid Wren.
Surely Charleigh has something I can do for her. If not, she'll invent something. I'll beg her to until I figure out what I'm going to do.