Sofia reached across her dash into the glove compartment for some tissue. She wiped her face. Alex still calm, continued to rub her knee, but she knew how quickly his temper could flare. “It isn’t just one thing. It’s everything.” She blew her nose. “I miss Eric. He’s still mad at me and…” She glanced at his compassionate eyes. “I ran into Brandon at the drug store.”

The hand on her knee stopped, the compassion now replaced with a murderous glower. “What did he do?”

“Nothing, Alex.” She placed her hand on his. “He just wanted to say goodbye.” She could almost see the wheels in his head spinning. “His dad’s dying.”

Alex’s expression lightened up. But very little.

“They sold the house, and he’s taking both his parents back to Georgia with him. He re-enlisted,” she shrugged, “he’s not coming back.”

Alex stared at her. “Is that why you’re crying?”

“No!” How could he even think that? “I was already in a down mood. Hearing about his dad just made me feel sad for him, and I haven’t talked to Eric for weeks. I don’t think he’s ever going to forgive me. It all just piled up on me.”

Alex stood up and held out his hand. “C’mon.”

When she was out of the car, he pulled her to him, hugging her tight. “You’re too damn sweet is what it is.” She felt tiny in his arms. “Brandon’s gonna be all right. And Eric will get over it. Trust me, he ain’t going anywhere.”

If only that were true. She took a deep breath, wishing things were like when she was a little girl and her brothers could protect her from any kind of pain. Though he’d probably die trying if she asked him to, there was nothing Alex could do to make this pain go away.

***

Eric lay there in his bed staring at the ceiling like he’d been doing so often in the past few days. This was exactly what his dad hadn’t wanted him to do. With the routine he’d kept, he may as well have been a robot—school, his internshihis intep and back to his dorm room. He was barely making B’s in most of his classes when he was more than capable of A’s.

His phone rang, startling him out of his haze. He sat up, glancing around and saw it on the nightstand. Reaching over, but still on the bed, he grabbed it and lay back down. He knew who it was without even looking. The only person who had called instead of texting the entire time he’d been in Spain.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Eric, you busy?”

“Nope.” He only had a few very important papers that were due that week, but he wouldn’t tell his dad that. “What’s up?”

“I ran into Sofia today.”

Eric froze, but didn’t say anything. Just hearing her name was cause enough to make him wince. He missed her so much.

“She was with Brandon.”

Eric sat up. “You saw them together? Where?”

“Now, relax. She was doing some shopping at the drug store alone when he approached her.”

Eric’s heart rate had already doubled over. He listened intently, trying to remain calm. His dad filled him on what he’d over heard then his dad asked, “Eric, I thought she slept with him. It was just a kiss?”

Eric squeezed his eyes shut. He was sick of thinking about it. “She let him, Dad. She let that idiot who was only trying to use her to get to me and her brothers.”

“Son.” His dad took a deep breath. “I’m not sure how to tell you this, but that boy’s in love with Sofia.”

The words were clear enough but they didn’t quite sink in. “What?”

“I overheard him tell her, and I believe him.”

A myriad of questions came to mind, but the main one was, “What did she say?”

“Nothing, I think she was stunned. He didn’t say much else after that, only that he was glad he got the chance to tell her before he left for good and then he took off.”

Eric didn’t speak. He took in everything his dad said. Why would Brandon want her to know he was in love with her? Was he still playing head games or had she given him any indication that it was something she wanted to hear? Damn, he hated the insecurity.

“Eric.” His dad spoke up after Eric didn’t say anything. “The point is, I know how much this girl means to you. Hell, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone as heartbroken as I saw you the day you found out about her and Brandon. Right then and there I knew how profound your love for her really was. I’ll admit it scared me, especially because at the time I was under the impression that my son was hopelessly in love with a girl who’d betrayed him in the worse way. Then when you got back with her so quickly, it scared me even more. Now that I find out it was just a kiss… Eric, that’s nothing.”

“But dad—”

“Just ask yourself this. Are you really willing to give up everything you and Sofia have because of something so trivial that she obviously is extremely remorseful about? I saw it in her face, son. There is no doubt in my mind she loves you and is still beating herself up about a kiss that really should be ancient history by now. Shit happens, Eric. Let it go. Age and immaturity have a lot to do with it, but if you ask me, I’d say she’s learned a hard, but valuable lesson.”

Eric stood up unable to sit still anymore. “I don’t know.”

“It’s up to you, obviously. You know, normally I’d be all for you moving on and shopping around a lot more, before getting stuck on one girl. But I got to thinking today after speaking with Sofia. I’d hate for you to make a mistake you’ll be regretting for the rest of your life. I’ve seen it happen too many times.” He was quiet for a moment before adding, “Just ask your mom.”