BJ shrugs, reaches around Lovey’s shoulder, and grabs a cucumber slice from her salad. “Dunno, but based on what I’ve seen, she’s been bouncing around the hockey team circuit like a ping-pong ball.” Instead of dropping his arm, he pulls Lovey in closer and pops the cucumber in his mouth.
She rolls her eyes and elbows him in the side. “Why is it okay for guys to sleep with whoever they want and girls get labeled as sluts if they do?”
“I’m not calling her a slut. I just don’t think it’s smart to try to hook up with guys in the same friend group. It creates unnecessary drama.” He raps on the table. “Anyway, I got to get to class. Just wanted to stop by and say hi. I’ll see you later, Lav?”
“Probably?” The only place I tend to go other than home is the library or Lovey and Lacey’s, so there’s a pretty solid chance I’ll see BJ later.
I use a handful of napkins to mop up the puddle of soup before we take our trays over to the garbage and head out. Lacey and Lovey both have class. While we’re walking, Lovey sends Dylan a message asking if he’s interested in tutoring a friend in economics.
He responds right away, asking which friend.
Lovey throws me a saucy smile as she types my name. Less than fifteen seconds pass before a new message appears:
Dylan: When and where? I have time this afternoon.
Which is how I end up at the library less than an hour later in one of the study rooms with Dylan. He suggested a café, but that would feel too much like a date, and I’m less likely to run into any of my family members in the library.
The first few minutes are a little awkward, because I’m nervous and can’t remember everything I said to him when we were talking at that party. But he’s really nice and seems totally happy to help me out. He’s tall and lean with blond hair, gray eyes, and a nice smile. I pull out the test I failed.
“Oh wow, did you take this hungover?”
I’m pretty sure it’s meant to be a joke, but not really.
I smooth out the paper, feeling heat creeping into my cheeks. “Unfortunately no. I just really suck at all the calculations, which is kind of ironic because my mom’s an accountant.” I’m afraid I’m about to start rambling. “Anyway, we only have this room booked for an hour, and clearly I need a lot of help, so . . .” I trail off.
The way he smiles at me makes me nervous. “I don’t mind. Let’s figure out where you went wrong, so we can get you back on track.”
An hour later, I sort of understand where I messed up, but I don’t think Dylan has ever tutored anyone, and he tends to skip a lot of steps by saying magic happens. As far as I can tell, there isn’t any magic, just a lot of stuff that makes my brain hurt. I’ll consider myself lucky if I pass this course.
It’s overcast when we leave the library, so Dylan offers to drive me home. It’s not far, but on the off chance the threat of rain becomes real, I agree. My palms start to sweat as soon as I get in the car. I know him just well enough to make the ride possible at all, and now that I’m alone with him, my mouth goes dry.
A few minutes later, he pulls onto my street, and that tight feeling in my throat starts to ease up, which is good. He’s been so helpful, and I don’t want to ruin it by acting weird. I surreptitiously breathe in and out to the count of four, willing myself to stay calm and not say or do anything embarrassing or stupid.
“Whoa, these houses are huge,” Dylan says.
“Yeah,” I agree.
Compared to the house I grew up in, they’re not, but I’m aware they’re bigger than average. We pass BJ and Kodiak’s place, and I point to the house up the street. “I’m right here, number forty-four.” Three cars are parked in the driveway, meaning my brothers must be home.
“Holy shit.” Dylan whistles. “You live here?”
“Um, yeah.”
He turns down the radio, which means we can hear the music coming from the backyard. Judging by the bass, it’s Maverick’s playlist.
“Sounds like there’s a party.”
I wonder if this is his way of asking me to invite him in. “My brothers probably have friends over.”
“Right, you said you live with them.” He runs his hands over his thighs.
“Yeah.” Awesome, I’m down to one-word answers.
“Are they, like, cool with you having friends over?”
He’s definitely looking for an invitation. “Uh, I guess?”
Back in high school, some of my drama friends would come over in small groups, but the guys were usually in the friend zone, because, well . . .
“They’re a little protective.”
“Like, protective meaning they’ll grill me and do a background check to make sure I don’t have any speeding tickets?”
I think he’s trying to make a joke. “Um, that would probably be on the tamer side of things. My twin can be a lot to deal with.”
He glances at the house. “Right. Okay. Well, maybe next time we could study at my place?”
I’m relieved that I’ve managed to get myself out of a potentially awkward situation, at least for now. “Oh yeah, sure, maybe we could do that.” I unbuckle my seat belt, wanting to get inside before someone spots the car—namely River.
“Um, Lavender?” He’s gripping the steering wheel like he’s trying to choke it.
“Yeah?”
“There’s a party next weekend at my fraternity house. It’ll be pretty chill if you want to come. I could tutor you first or something?” He looks hopeful.
I don’t want to hurt his feelings, so I go with noncommittal. “Can I message you and let you know? I think I’m supposed to do something with Lovey and Lacey.”
“Oh, you can totally invite them to come too.”
“I’ll talk to them.” I want to get in the house before someone comes along and sees us here. If it’s River, he’ll flip his lid, and if it’s Mav, he’ll embarrass me. I’m leaning against the door, feeling around for the handle.
“Okay, sounds good. I had a good time today.” He leans in, and I realize he’s coming in for a hug.
At the same time, a loud bang on the window right beside my head startles us both. The car rocks back and forth violently, and I jerk forward, bashing my face on the side of Dylan’s head.
BJ shouts, “No boning in the driveway!” The door is wrenched open, and I tumble out, smacking my head on the concrete. Stars burst behind my eyes, turning the world black and white for a few seconds.
“Oh shit, Lav, are you okay? I had no idea it was you in there.”
I blink through the pain and find BJ, Liam, and Lane standing in a semicircle around me. Liam and Lane are finished with college, but they still live in the city and hang out with Quinn and BJ. All three of them are staring down at me with confusion and concern. My legs are still in the car.
I open my mouth to speak, but the words are stuck, either from shock or from hitting my head. BJ slides his hands under my arms and hauls me up as Dylan opens the driver’s side door.
His head pops up over the roof, eyes wide. “Are you okay?” He scans the massive wall of man behind me, and the color drains from his face.
“I’m fine.” I don’t know whether to rub the back of my head or my lip, because both hurt. I go with my lip because it’s easier to reach, swiping my fingers across the bottom one. BJ grabs my wrist. “Shit, you’re bleeding.”