I huffed. “Fine. Things have been tougher lately. He’s been working a lot and spending all his time across the country, and we’re just not feeling as connected.”

“That was a problem when we talked last month too.”

I nodded. “Yeah. It’s been going on awhile. And now he’s moving for sure, and I have no idea where that leaves us. You remember how much I loved living in California.”

“Help me understand here, Lane. Are the two issues exclusive of each other? Things are rocky with Jamie, so you decided to take his brother for a test-drive? Or things are rocky with Jamie because you’d rather be with his brother instead?”

“I’m not test-driving anybody. Simon coming to Asheville was Jamie’s idea. He set the whole thing up because he felt so terrible for having to bail himself. And it all happened so fast; what was I supposed to say? Please, no, not him. I may have a crush on him, and that could be bad news for us?”

“So you’re admitting you have a crush.”

I sighed. “Please don’t say anything. I’ll figure stuff out. I’ll talk to Jamie when I get back home, but for now I just have to get through this weekend.”

Just get through the weekend.

Surely I could manage that.

Jamie: How’s it going?

Simon: Fine. Lane’s family is nice.

Jamie: Have you met the crazy grandma yet?

Simon: She isn’t crazy. She likes me. I speak Spanish.

Jamie: Ugh. Am I going to have to learn Spanish for this lady? How are Lane’s parents?

Simon: Her dad is huge. But nice. Her mom is tiny and intense. But also nice. Have you talked to Lane at all?

Jamie: Just through texts. I think she’s afraid to talk to me since you’re there. Who does that make me?

Simon: True.

Jamie: Thanks for doing this, man. I owe you one.

Simon: It’s fine. I’m having a good time.

Jamie: Not too good a time though, right?

Simon: You’re the one who asked me to do this.

Jamie: I know. It felt like a good idea at the time. But . . . I wish I was there.

Simon: Lane wishes so too.

Chapter 20

Simon dropped onto the couch beside me. “Hey.”

I closed the book I’d been reading. “Hey. How was it?”

He rolled his head around as if to stretch his neck, then dropped it back onto the cushion behind him. “Intense.”

“Uh-oh. Not bad intense, I hope?”

“No, it was good. We bonded. Even if we had to hold the stupid ball with our hands.”

“Bonding is good. Did your team win?”

“Of course we won.” My father paused in the archway that led into the family room, where I’d been reading. “When have you ever known me to do anything but win?”