38

They all knew I had been in Miami to see Jo.

It wasn’t a secret.

I wasn’t playing a pronoun game. I was just avoiding the conversation.

“Why tell you something you already know?”

Brett laughed. “I see what’s happening here. You’re hoping by avoiding the topic altogether, we’re going to let it go and that we’re not going to point out that you’ve now made two trips to Miami to see a girl you don’t want to have a relationship with.”

I drained my glass, hoping the waitress would appear any second so I could order another one. “That hasn’t changed.”

“Really?” Ford asked.

“Really,” I answered.

“Bullshit,” Dominick barked. “I don’t believe you.”

I glanced at my older brother. “I’m not lying. I don’t have any more trips planned to see her.”

“Yet,” Brett chimed in.

Fuck me, they were relentless.

“Long-distance is not for me, and even though she’s from LA, I don’t see her moving here anytime soon. How many times have I told you guys that?” I looked down at my plate, at the bits of batter the ca