“Yes, but not right this minute.”
“Why not?”
His face flushes again. “I want to focus on our thing. On our business idea and school and tennis and everything.”
I think about how distracted this thing with Evan has made me. It makes sense. If I was smarter, I’d probably copy Ben—but I know myself well enough to know that I couldn’t stop pursuing Evan now.
“What about you and this guy? Did something happen last night?”
“Yeah. We hooked up a little.”
“Oh.”
Why does he still seem sad?
“You know you can hook up with guys withoutit being a big thing, right? It doesn’t have to get in the way of school and tennis and our thing?”
“I know. I just don’t want to.”
“Okay.” I want to push, but I drop it for now. The last thing I want to do is make him regret opening up to me.
“So what’s happening with you and Evan now? Are you in a relationship?”
“I don’t know. He’s going through a lot at the minute. I don’t want to rush him. His dad just died and … we’re working through things. A lot of shit happened in the past, a lot of shit I didn’t even know about.”
“You mean all the stuff with Bryce?”
I nod.
“Are you going to speak to Bryce about it?”
My stomach churns at the thought of trying to call my stepdad out. I’ve never done anything like that before. I’ve never wanted to cause any more trouble than I already have for my mom. “It’s in the past. And I’m pissed at him, sure. But I imagine he was just doing what he thought was best for me. He didn’t even know Evan.”
Talkingto Ben has made me want answers. I meant what I said back at the library, I understand that Evan’s going through a hard time, and I’d never want to rush him into anything, but I would like to know that he at least feels the same way I do. That last night wasn’t just a hookup.
I send a text, asking what he’s up to. I don’t get a reply straight away. The more I stare at my phone, the more silent it seems to be.
When I do finally get a reply, it’s short and almost curt.
I’m working tonight.
My heart drops. I want to see him again so bad it’s a physical ache.
I draft my reply three times before finally hitting send.
Ok cool, can I see you after?
Someone knocks on my bedroom door.
“What?” I bark.
The door cracks open as if I’d saidcome in.“Did I catch you at a bad time?” Priestley asks.
“No, I was just.…”
“Who are you texting? Is it this mystery girl who made you late for practice?”
I keep my mouth shut, not knowing what to say.
