“Oops, sorry,” she says, not sounding sorry at all. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”
I stretch with a groan, rubbing my eyes. “What time is it?” I get a shock when I pick up my phone and see six p.m., realizing I’ve snoozed the day away. I’ll never be able to sleep tonight. There’s also about five missed calls from Seb.
“How was the work thingy you went on?” Gracie says, nudging my legs up to perch on the end of the couch.
“Oh, you know... just work. It was okay,” I say, heat creeping up my neck.
Okay? Try mind-blowing, earth-shattering sex okay—something I thought was a myth.
But I’m not about to tell Gracie what a hussy I am.
“How was your game?” I ask, quickly changing the subject.
She sighs. “It was a tie. I almost scored, but it hit the crossbar.”
“Still, at least you didn’t lose.” I pat her leg, leaning my head on her shoulder. My cell lights up with a text, and I swipe overit to see a message from Seb inviting himself and Ryan over for pizza and a movie night.
“How do you feel about a pizza and movie night?” I ask. “Seb has been blowing up my phone. He wants to come around with Ryan. I’ll call Millie and ask if she wants in. You can ask one of your friends too, if you like?”
“Cool, I’ll ask Gabi.” She brightens, pushing to her feet. “But how are we gonna watch a movie? I thought you canceled Netflix?”
“I did, but I got a pay raise, so I resubscribed.”
A slow smile spreads across her face, and she bounces on the balls of her feet before spinning toward the kitchen. “Let me check the pizza menu.”
She pauses in the doorway, glancing back. “Oh, I forgot to tell you—Gabi’s family is taking a road trip along the West Coast this summer before we start college. They invited me to come. They have a holiday home in Santa Barbara, and I can take all my college stuff with me. Then, after the trip, they’ll drop me off at school.”
My heart sinks, but I plaster on a smile. She deserves this—her own adventure, her own life. Still, I’m going to miss her like hell. Gabi’s acceptance into the same college program is a blessing; it means she won’t face the new start alone.
“Of course, Gracie,” I say, swallowing the lump in my throat. “If that’s what you want.”
Her eyes light up, and my chest tightens. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her this happy.
“But you’ll visit?” she asks, a flicker of worry creeping in.
“Try stopping me.”
A loud banging at the door cuts our conversation short. “Police open up.”
Gracie and I exchange glances, bursting into laughter at the sound of Seb putting on a ridiculous voice.
I swing the door open to Seb and Ryan, both sporting goofy grins, arms laden with beer and popcorn. I lean against the doorframe, my arms folded.
“What’s the nature of your complaint?”
Seb lowers his voice, leaning in slightly. “There’s been a complaint from a neighbor about a red light in the window at strange times of day.”
I smack him on the back, making him stumble forward. Ryan stands there cringing, shaking his head.
“Do you actually know this guy?” I ask Ryan.
Ryan sighs. “Unfortunately, yes. He doesn’t get out much, so we just have to put up with him.”
Ryan strolls into the living room, dumping his snacks on the coffee table.
“Hey, Gracie,” Seb says, carrying the beers to the kitchen. “How was the game today?”
“It was a tie,” she says, cramming the beers into our tiny fridge.
