Not Even Close (A New Generation) by Elizabeth Reyes (books to read in a lifetime txt) 📗

You know me, I would’ve called but I’m at work. Don’t bea party poop again. We’ll be down at The Chuperia again tonight.

Stopping before he was done reading, to look at who it wasactually from, Byron frowned when he saw it was from Irma. A girl he gottogether with from time to time. Even this was an infuriating reminder of what Vannahhad done to him all week. Irma had reached out more than once in the past week andit only irritated him when his phone screen confirmed it wasn’t a call or textfrom Vannah. He didn’t bother reading the rest before clicking on the next text.

Tell Gus Christine will be here.

Again, he didn’t bother reading the rest—something about whyher friend Christine wasn’t texting Gus herself. Like Byron gave a shit. Butthis only pissed him off even further. Normally he would’ve taken her up on herinvite to Taco Tuesdays at The Chuperia this past week. Instead, it’dbeen an easy pass. Even though he hadn’t been able to see Vannah that night,he’d been quick to choose video chatting with her in between her classes instead.

It burned him now when he remembered how quick and okay, Vannahhad been today about not being able to see him for lunch after all. Sheprobably had the other guy on standby. Getting past Ali’s protest about hisleaving her his food, he said his goodbyes to the girls quickly and got out of therebefore he started roaring about all the infuriating thoughts still bombardinghim.

Byron managed to keep the impending meltdown, to growls and a fewbangs against his steering wheel all the way home. He felt like a fuckingidiot for having interpreted everything he thought this girl had begun to feelfor him in such a short time. What was he, thirteen? A few kisses, an amazingmake out session and weeklong of nonstop texts, video chats that neither everwanted to end despite how late into the night they’d drawn out. He’dpractically heard harp music and wedding bells after their very first kiss. Allfor what? For someone that turned out to be exactly how Nine describedhot freaky college girls and what Byron should’ve anticipated especially after hisexperience with Barbara. What’s worse, Vannah had never denied it’s what shedid.

So why was he so incensed?

Byron wasn’t even sure who he was madder at. Her, for swoopinginto his life so unannounced and unexpectedly and having this kind of effect onhim? Or himself for being such a chump and allowing anyone to have this kind ofhold on him so quickly.

Once back at the shop, Byron did his best to try and snap out ofhis horrendous mood. He threw his phone in a drawer refusing to obsessover every ding it made. Trying to concentrate on his work, he failed miserablyat not being obvious as fuck that one wrong word could lead to blows, he was sotensed up.

“What the hell’s wrong with you?” Gus half smirked; half frowned afterByron snapped at him for like the third time. “I was just messing with you. Somethingup your ass today? Everything okay with Beast and his girls?”

Stopping for a moment as he cleaned his grimy hands off with arag, Byron took a deep breath, feeling like an ass but shook his head. “They’refine.” Then he had a thought. He needed a shot—or two. “When’s the last timeyou saw Christine?”

Gus’s brows furrowed in question and he shook his head.“Christine? It’s been weeks at least. Why?”

Byron glanced down at his watch. “I need a drink. Irma text meearlier. She and Christine are down at the Chuperia right about now.” Hethrew the rag at Gus who quickly caught it. “Go home and shower up. I’ll do thesame then meet me back here. Uber’s on me.”

Gus smiled big with a nod. “Haven’t had me some Christine in awhile. Will do, sir. See you back here in a bit.”

Even that last comment grated Byron to no end. Gus always saidChristine wasn’t the boyfriend type of girl and always up for a good time,as long as no demands were made. Byron did not need a reminder of thekind of girl he’d now confirmed Vannah was.

Thirteen

Calm Before the Mayhem

Vannah

It was a shame, and Vannah felt so guilty that her parentshad spent all that money on tickets to the Frozen musical in Hollywood for the wholefamily and she hadn’t been able to enjoy any of it. Byron’s response to her texthad been such a blow to her heart the entire night it’d been all she couldthink of. She’d read it several times thinking she must’ve read it wrong. Maybehe meant something else by his time with her always turning into an overnightthing. But after rehashing it with Xochitl for as much as even her cynicalfriend tried to make something different of it, they’d both come to the samedisappointing conclusion. Despite the amazing night they had last week, and allthe time they’d spent video chatting this past week, Byron was making it clearnow that she’d been right about her first thought on why he asked her out tobegin with. He was in no way looking for anything serious. This was probablyhis way of pulling back in case she was getting too ahead of herself.

It was almost embarrassing. Had her excitement and willingness totalk to him all week, day and night and into the wee hours of the morning beentoo over-the-top? Vannah could only conclude that her eagerness had spookedhim. She’d tried so hard to not sound as incredibly disappointed when hecancelled the lunch date she’d so been looking forward to. Even her text about tryingto squeeze in some time with him the next evening had been reworded a milliontimes as to not come across as needy in case it’s why he’d cancelled theirlunch to begin with.

But his response to her text had sealed it. He’d made no bonesabout it. This was his way of making it clear, this was what she was in for withhim. She couldn’t even blame him. Here she’d