Deciding Love by Janelle Stalder Page A

I just figured, that’s probably why Colt liked her too. It’s hard not to,” she answered with a shrug.
    “She’s his sister,” I said, some part of me defensive at the thought that he wouldn’t have accepted her.
    “Yeah, but the situation with his mom and dad is rough, so he could just have easily taken it out on her.”
    I screwed up my face. “Colt wouldn’t do that, he’s not that kind of person. Chloe isn’t at fault here.”
    She turned to face me. I kept my eyes on the road even though I could feel hers boring into me.
    “Exactly.”
    What? My sister could be the most confusing person, I swear. Or it was just a girl thing, because I literally had no idea where her brain went sometimes.
    “Exactly what?” I asked, exasperated.
    “Colt,” she answered.
    I huffed. “What about him?”
    “He’s not that kind of person,” she said as though I were an idiot. “He’s not the type to judge people or get mad at others for silly reasons. He’s understanding, and clearly wants his sister to be happy.”
    I shook my head, pulling onto our street. “I know where you’re going with this, and it’s not going to work, kitty.” I glanced at her and she just blinked at me. “I wouldn’t make her happy,” I said, the truth depressing me even as I said it.
    “Of course you would,” Cat said, her voice gentle now. “Why can’t you give yourself more credit?”
    I pulled up beside our house and turned off the car. We sat in silence as I stared down at the wheel, unseeing.
    “I know the person that I am, and I know that even if I didn’t want to, I’d end up screwing up and hurting her,” I said. There was no denying my attraction to her to Cat anymore, but at least I could make her see how wrong I was for her friend. I turned to look at my sister, pleading with my eyes for her to understand and believe me. “She deserves better, kitty. I know I’m your brother and you love me, but trust me, she deserves better than me.”
    Her eyes turned sad and I hated that. She blew out a slow breath. “You’ll never know what you’re capable of if you don’t give yourself a chance. Maybe in the past you haven’t been good with relationships, but there’s always a point or a person that can change that.” She leaned forward, looking me earnestly in the eyes. “You need to realize, Kyle, there is no one better than you.”
     
    I’d spent all week throwing myself into my school work and the shop, doing what I could to push my conversation with Cat to the back of my mind. I’d worked a couple of shifts with Colt, which helped to remind me just why I was right in staying away from his sister. We’d been friends for too long for me to screw it up.
    Unfortunately, when I lay in bed at night, I couldn’t help but think of what Cat had said.
    Could I make Chloe happy? Was I denying myself something that could change my life for the better?
    It just wasn’t worth the risk. I’d ruin my friendship with Colt, and possibly Chloe and Cat’s too. I couldn’t do that.
    I also had to keep busy so I wouldn’t go insane with what could only be explained as jealousy. Chloe had driven home with Jax every day of the week, those eyes not so much as even glancing in my direction. It felt like a physical loss. I’d had absolutely no contact with her, and I hated it.
    Saturday Cat had gone to Chloe’s house instead of them hanging out at ours, and that pissed me off too. Everything was putting me in a foul mood. So when Sunday came around and Rannon had texted me about a barbecue at Colt’s, I was thankful for the diversion from all my problems. Hanging out with old friends was the perfect way to lighten my mood.
    Pulling up to his house, I noticed there was already a line of cars parked outside. I walked up, looking over the chain link fence between his house and Olivia’s just as her parents walked out. I lifted a hand to them.
    “Hello, Kyle,” her dad called out.
    “Hello, Mr. Banks,” I replied.
    “How’s