“But you’ve still been out somewhere. So who have you been seeing if it’s not Carly?”
“Just some chick. She’s not into the party scene, though, so it’s easier to keep it low-key.”
The late-night breakfast place is ridiculously busy. It’s midnight, and although it’s not a weekend, this is still a popular hangout for the underage crowd who don’t have fake IDs and can’t do the bar scene yet, or those who don’t like it. I happen to fit into the latter of those categories. I prefer my own home, or Mav’s, and screw everyone else. Mav is the social one who likes all the people around.
At least three of his previous “girlfriends” can be found at various tables in the restaurant. Interestingly, despite the fact that he has a constant rotation of girls, he always seems to be on good terms with them.
I spot BJ sprawled across a booth in the back corner of the restaurant, the tops of two blonde heads barely visible on the opposing bench. My palms sweat as we make our way through the tables, Mav pausing every five seconds to say hi to someone. I don’t bother acknowledging anyone, because the only person I really care about seeing should be with BJ and the twins. My heart rate picks up and my palms go damp when I finally reach the table. It’s one of those round booths that’s meant to seat six or more, and Lavender is sitting at the end, sipping on some kind of smoothie.
“Hey.”
All four sets of eyes shift my way as I slide in beside Lavender.
She tips her head back so she can meet my gaze. Her expression is somewhere between amusement and low-level mortification. She whispers hi.
I don’t think it could possibly get more uncomfortable until Mav drops down across from me and kicks me in the shin. Likely on purpose.
“The fuck?” I shoot him a glare.
He props his chin on his clasped hands and smiles like a lunatic. “Look at how awkward you two are. This is awesome.”
Lavender slurps her smoothie loudly and turns her sharp gaze on her brother. “This is your one and only opportunity to be a dick about this, so make it good.”
Mav’s grin widens. “I’m not being a dick. I’m just being honest. You’re like a couple of eighth graders trying not to make eye contact for too long. You’re not even touching.” He motions to the inch or two of space between us. “Kody is halfway out of the booth, and he looks like he’s going to shit his pants. You look like you’re trying to snuggle with Lacey.”
“You’re all staring at us like we’re some kind of circus act,” Lavender says. “What did you think was going to happen? Heart bubbles were going to magically appear over our heads?”
“Kinda, yeah. I mean, this storm has been brewing since this guy could get a boner.” Mav points at me.
Lavender holds up her hand. “Stop right there. We are not having a conversation about Kodiak’s boners in the middle of this diner. In fact, we are never having a conversation about Kodiak’s boners, because you’re my brother and there are some goddamn lines that should never be crossed.”
“You’re really intent on sucking the fun right out of this for me, aren’t you?” Mav sighs. “So Kody never told me what you did that finally pushed him over the edge.”
“Maybe I figured my shit out. Did you ever think of that?” I shoot back.
BJ snorts, and so does Lavender.
I give her the side-eye. “Whose side are you on?”
“My own.”
The server comes and takes our order. It’s a guy, and he keeps looking at Lavender, so I slide my arm across the back of the seat, trace an infinity symbol on her shoulder, and don’t bother to drop it after he leaves.
“Look at you, being all territorial.” Mav is still grinning. “You know, I figured that whole thong thing would’ve done it, and then Lav freaking moved out.”
“Wait, you know about the thong?” Lavender’s eyes are extra wide, and she glances from Mav to me and back again.
“Everyone knows about that. Mom called me the day after to ask a bunch of questions I sure as hell didn’t want to answer,” Mav replies.
“What kind of questions?” Lavender asks.
“The kind I tried to wipe from my memory forever.” He shakes his head. “And don’t look so surprised. She’s got these freaking fake social media accounts set up, and she thinks she’s being sly about it, but we all know it’s her. She uses stock photography from cheap sites I’ve seen a million times.”
“Your mom has sock accounts?” I don’t know why this surprises me. Violet is basically insane. Awesome, but definitely not normal. Mav gets his sense of humor from her.
“I’m sure she’s set your mom up with one too.” Mav raises an eyebrow at me. “And yours.” He points to BJ.
“How do you know it’s your mom? I mean, there are loads of catfish accounts out there,” BJ says.
Mav pulls his phone out of his pocket, pulls up his IG account, and clicks on a post of him with some girl sitting in his lap from earlier in the semester. He scrolls through the comments, clicking on a profile of a woman wearing a tiny bikini top blowing a kiss at the camera. Every single post she has looks like it’s from some kind of photo shoot, and there are captions like “Feeling pretty.” Another says, “Just reading by the pool” with the same model sprawled out on a towel beside a pool with a magazine artfully placed by her head. The best one is captioned “I love pineapple,” and the model is lovingly cradling a pineapple while wearing a pineapple-print bikini. “Now read the comment she left.”
Lavender nabs the phone and barks out a laugh before she passes it to me. The comment reads: “So HAWT! Don’t forget to wrap your sausage! XOXO #safesex.”
Mav has liked the comment and replied with: “Thanks for worrying about my junk.”
“Does she know you know?” BJ is basically doubled over with laughter.
“I don’t think so, and I’m not going to ruin it for her.” He slides his phone into his pocket when our food arrives. “So does River know?”
“Not yet.” Lavender pokes at a chunk of pineapple floating in her smoothie. “I haven’t seen him to tell him since he hasn’t been home much lately.”
Mav digs into his scrambled eggs. “Man, I hope I’m around for that.”
“Guess it’s a good thing we’ll be able to move back into our house again soon, huh? Less chance of you being murdered in your sleep that way.” BJ chuckles.
Lovey elbows BJ in the side. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
But everyone exchanges a look.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The Geyser
Lavender
Present day
I’M NOT PLEASED to see River’s car in the driveway when we get home late that night—or early that morning, I guess. BJ wishes me luck, and Maverick is pretty much gleeful as he punches in the code. If River is in the living room, there’s going to be a confrontation—one that has to happen if Kodiak and I are going to try to make this work.
I steel myself for the coming meltdown as Maverick opens the door and we follow him inside. Kodiak laces his fingers with mine and gives my hand a squeeze. I feel a lot like we’re walking into an angry lion’s cage.