Kennedy must see it because she touches my arm. "Liam, don't fight with him. I'd hate for you two to throw away all of your progress these holidays, just because of me."
"I'll fight him if you want to. Or give him the silent treatment. Or refuse to help him make dinner."
Kennedy chuckles, and the sound relaxes me a little. "I know you would, but it's okay. We don't hate him."
I scan her face, then salute her. That makes her smile. Thank god. I don't like seeing her down like this.
Erin finishes her phone call and I say goodbye to everyone, telling Erin to drive safely and crouching down to hug Bonnie.
"This sucks," she says into my ear. "It's all my fault because of the photos. It was my idea to go out, and now we're leaving —"
"Shh," I interrupt. "It was an accident. Anyway, you guys will be back before you know it. Have a good time."
Bonnie gives me a doubtful look like that's impossible. I've met some of Kennedy's family before, but how intense are they?
Curtis says bye to everyone, although when he speaks to Kennedy, their exchange is stilted. I give Kennedy another hug before she gets into the car. The car doors close and Erin backs out of the driveway. Curtis and I stand on the front porch and wave, watching the car until it disappears down the street.
Curtis turns to me and shoves his hands into his pocket. The wind has messed up his golden hair. "So. Just us," he says.
I swallow. "Yeah."
After a couple of seconds of silence, he clears his throat. "I'm guessing Kennedy told you… about me and her…"
"Yeah."
"Do you hate me now?"
I wish I could. I really wish I could. I shake my head. "No."
"Okay."
"Kennedy told me not to," I say as if to explain myself, and we head inside. At the staircase that leads to the attic, I tell him, "by the way, I bags the master bedroom."
I've taken him aback, but after a second, a soft smile spreads across his lips. "Fair enough."
"Hey, I'm taller than you. I need the extra space," I say as I head up the stairs.
"I'm broader than you," Curtis says, following. "Besides, you sleep in the foetal position. I've seen you."
"Creep," I toss back.
Curtis's deep laugh follows me into the attic room, and it squeezes my heart. Okay, I won't hate Curtis for these two nights — not that I could if I tried — but that doesn't mean I have to be his best friend.
It's dangerous if I let him get too close.
What if I say something I shouldn't? I've never been the best at thinking before I speak.
Besides, now that he and Kennedy have broken up, that's more important than ever. I can't make the situation any worse for Kennedy than it already is.
*
I spend the rest of the morning moving the stuff I need from the attic bedroom to the master bedroom. I try to limit the number of things I move, because I know I'll have to return it all to the attic when the girls come back.
While I do that, Curtis sits at the kitchen table with his computer and homework spread out before him. It reminds me to study as well, though I opt to do that at the desk in the master bedroom. Better to avoid Curtis as much as possible.
After several hours of studying, I decide to reward myself with anime. The master bedroom has its own TV on the wall opposite the bed, so I connect my laptop to the computer and pull up my favourite anime streaming website. I settle myself on top of the bedcovers with my back propped up with pillows against the headboard.
About ten minutes into an episode, Curtis appears in the doorway.
