But I can’t.
I’ll never be able to.
So instead, I turn Luke.
“Get me out of here.” I wipe my face.
Luke nods, his hand dropping to my lower back as he nudges me into motion. Heartbroken, I follow Luke out of the school, Will’s eyes burning into the back my skull.
It’s past five by the time Luke’s car slows down in front of my house. The day flew by, although I wish I could’ve skipped it altogether. The second I climbed into Luke’s car, I burst out crying—and I mean the humiliating, ugly crying I usually reserve for the privacy of my bedroom.
I hated being vulnerable in front of him, but Luke, being the supportive sweetheart that he is, made me feel comfortable. He was beyond understanding when I told him about Zoey’s betrayal. And, to my greatest relief, he didn’t once make a move or flirt with me. I think he finally realized we’re better off as friends.
I almost let myself forget, driving around town with him, why I skipped school for the first time in my entire life. Scratch that—I didn’t skip school. Not really. Zoey may be a bitch, but she isn’t worth getting detention over. I told my mom I was still a mess over my dad—which isn’t completely false—and I needed a personal day.
She agreed to call the school under one condition: that I be home for dinner tonight. My dear brother is finally returning from his “let’s hide from my mom that I got beat up” vacation, and she wants us all together for one meal.
I caved. It’s not like I have anywhere else to go anyway. Zoey’s place is no longer an option, and Morgan… God, I can’t even imagine what bullshit Zoey must’ve spewed to her today. I wanted to text her this morning, but after I called my mom, I powered off my phone, in desperate need of a break.
“So, William Martins, huh?” Luke’s voice brings me back.
I inwardly curse.
How did he find out?
“What about him?” I play dumb.
“Something going on between you two?”
I unbuckle my seat belt. “No, why?”
“I don’t know, it’s just… This morning in the hall, he seemed pretty damn desperate to talk to you.”
I snatch my backpack at my feet.
“Not to mention he looked at me like he wanted to break every bone in my body for touching you, but hey, that’s just a detail.”
I laugh.
“Believe me, he is not my boyfriend.”
“But you want him to be, don’t you?”
Yes.
“W-What? No, I don’t,” I word-vomit, but his smile tells me I’ve already betrayed myself.
“Don’t bother. Ethan spilled the beans about you liking a guy you shouldn’t the other day at work.”
I grin.
Freaking Ethan.
I knew I was smart not to tell him Will’s name. The guy can’t keep a secret to save his life.
“He’s your brother’s friend, right? This Will guy? That’s why you don’t want to be with him?” Luke puts together.
More like he doesn’t want to be with me.
“Not exactly. I don’t really want to talk about it.”
“Oh, of course. Forget I asked.”
“Don’t worry about it.” I reach for the car handle.
“Listen, I know my aunt hired a new store manager and we won’t be working together anymore, but if you need me, I’m always here.” He seems sincere.
“Thanks. You’re a good friend, Luke.”
He offers me a small smile in response, and I carry myself out of the car, watching him disappear down the street. My mom’s car isn’t in the driveway yet, but my brother’s car is.
Along with Blake’s—I’m going to vomit.
And last but not least, the car I especially didn’t want to see…
Will’s.
He’s at my house.
I activate my phone as I’m unlocking the front door. I walk in, voices and laughter ricocheting all the way from the living room to the kitchen. They’re all here. The second my phone lights up, it pings with a text.
Except it won’t stop.
One message.
Two messages.
Three messages.
The many texts I didn’t receive today all come through at once. I have two from Morgan.
And four from Will.
His last text was two minutes ago.
Willy Wonka: I’m literally losing my fucking mind, Kass. Answer me.
“Who the hell are you texting, Martins?” I hear my brother ask in the living room.
“No one,” Will replies.
Me.
He’s texting me.
“He’s been like this all week. All secretive and shit. I’m telling you, it’s a girl,” Blake accuses.
My fists clench at my cheating ex’s voice. If he so much as looks at me, I’ll make key chains with his balls.
“Is she hot?” Kendrick snorts, and I cringe.
If you only knew, bro.
“Shut up. There’s no girl,” Will snaps.
Hoping I can pass through the living room without drawing attention to myself, I suck in a breath and walk in.
Instantly, they stop talking.
And stare.
Great.
“Hey, where were you all day? Morgan was looking for you,” my brother asks.
“Didn’t feel so good. Mom gave me the day off.”
He frowns. “But… you just came home. Shouldn’t you have spent the day resting?”
Shit, what do I say?
“How much longer until dinner, I’m starv—” A female voice saves me.
I swivel to find the last person I expected to see waltz into my living room. Nicole. My brother’s ex and the only girlfriend he’s ever had. Haven’t seen her since they broke up a while ago. Not exactly a piece of cake, this one.
“Oh, hey, Kass.” She waves, taking a seat on the couch.
“Hey?” I can’t make sense of her presence. “Are you two back together?”
Alex scoffs. “Tonight, they are.”
It all becomes clear. This must be Kendrick’s excuse for disappearing after he got beaten to a pulp. He always comes up with something to ease my mom, but a fake girlfriend? Seriously?
“Wait, is that why mom wanted me to come to dinner so bad? Because you’re introducing her to your fake girlfriend?”
“Yep.” Kendrick beams.
“Let me guess, you told Mom you were staying with your girlfriend this whole time?”
“Yep,” Kendrick repeats. “My girl over here—” He points to Nicole with his chin. “—was going through a rough patch.”
“You’re crazy,” I scold.
“Tell that to Winter.” Kendrick sticks his hands up. “She’s the one who put us into this mess.”
What is that supposed to mean?
Jesus, how much have I missed?
“Speaking of Winter, where is she?” I ask. I feel like we’ve barely spoken lately. We need to catch up.
“In her room.” Kendrick shrugs.
“Anyway, we should get going. Your mom will be there soon.” Alex leaps from the couch. “Guys?”
“Coming.” Blake rises to his feet.
“Right behind you.” Will joins him.