Noah takes a seat on the end of the bed. I scramble to sit up, trying to appear a little less pathetic. I never wanted my brother to see me like this. Emmett must have come home and called him. I should have held it together until I got home. Or at least until I made it to the car. He left me his Jeep—again.

“I don’t want to ruin your friendship.”

“You just produced ten gallons’ worth of tears, and you think that’s what I’m worried about?”

I bite my bottom lip. “It’s his job. He had to go. I just…miss him.”

“Just sex, huh?” Noah’s voice is wry.

I sigh. Something clatters in the kitchen.

“All good out here!” Emmett’s voice calls.

It’s weird, being in Gray’s bedroom with Noah and Emmett nearby. A collision of two worlds that were held separate.

More tears fall.

“Oh, Leigh-Leigh.”

“I’m sorry, Noah. I never wanted…I’m sorry.”

“He won’t commit?” The sympathy in his voice is shifting toward anger.

“It’s complicated.”

“It’s not, Evie. Either he loves you or he doesn’t.”

“If he does, I don’t want him to say it just because I asked him. And if he doesn’t…well, I’d rather have that conversation over the phone than in person.”

“On the phone?”

“Yeah. He calls me from the base. Don’t you guys talk?”

“While he’s deployed? No, never.”

“Oh. I just assumed…” I let my voice trail off.

Knowing Gray, I’m not totally shocked. I thought he’d at least call other people occasionally. I know he doesn’t call his parents, but I assumed I wasn’t the only one. It adds more weight to the fact that he does, and I almost wish it didn’t.

“Um, I should go.” I stand and start picking my clothes up off the floor, hiding the blue lace under the pink material of my dress from last night. “Do you mind…”

“Oh. Yeah. Sure.” Noah rises and heads into the hallway, closing the door behind him.

I change back into my clothes. I debate on tossing the T-shirt I was wearing in the hamper, but I carry it with me instead.

“Hey, Emmett,” I greet.

He’s sprawled on the couch, holding a video game controller.

“Hey, Evie.” For the first time ever, Emmett appears somber. I must look really terrible.

“Sorry about, uh, earlier.” I wave my arm vaguely in the direction of the kitchen.

“No worries. The kitchen counter has seen worse.”

I hope he’s kidding. “Okay. Great. I’m going to go.”

“Do you need a ride?” Noah asks.

“No. Thanks. I have Gray’s Jeep, remember?”

“Oh. Right.” Noah’s brow creases, like he’s just now putting that together.

I’m surprised no one else asked questions when I started driving it. Maybe we’re that unlikely of a couple.