“Great. Want to split it then?”
He turns to Andrew. “Are you not going to join us?”
“No, I have to drive. Plus, it looks like I’ll be keeping an eye on this one,” he explains, patting my shoulder.
“You don’t need to watch me,” I tell him. “And we could always get an Uber home if we need to.”
He nods. “I know, but I’m trying to do what I should’ve done last time I was around when you drank.”
“Andrew, you took great care of me! What are you talking about? Besides, it wasn’t your responsibility.”
“Yes, it was. I may not have been your boyfriend, but I wasstill your friend, and I knew you’d never drunk before. I should’ve done a better job of paying attention to how much you had so you wouldn’t have had that bad experience.”
“It’s in the past,” I insist.
“You’re right, but this is the present, and I’m going to do things right now.”
I grab his hand to pull him in for a quick peck. “Well thank you, Prince Charming,” I say with a wink.
“Soooo are we splitting the trough or not?” Brendan interjects awkwardly.
All three of us begin laughing as I say, “Yeah, let’s do it.”
CHAPTER 31
Summer 18
Rebecca has been glued to my side all day. Ever since I told her what happened with Andrew, she’s been peppering me with questions. “What are you going to say when you see him again?”I don’t know.“Do you think you guys will finally start dating?”I don’t know.“What will you do about leaving for school tomorrow?”I don’t know.
It’s been exhausting and terrifying to realize with each question that I have absolutely no answers for her. I can’t be frustrated with her though because I know her great interest in my love life is only because she wants me to be happy.
My phone buzzes in my back pocket, pulling my attention away from my conversation with Rebecca for a moment.
Andrew
Where are you?
His text has no significance. He’s not flirting or professing his love to me, but still, it makes my heart flutter. I curse my heart a little for being so easily moved.
“Is that Andrew?” Rebecca asks, leaning over to my side of the car and peering over at my phone.
I quickly push her back to her rightful place in the driver’s seat. “You’re driving! Watch the road, not my phone please.”
She pouts. “I just want to know what’s going on! Will you read it to me?”
I roll my eyes because the text is so completely insignificant, but I grant her wish anyway and read it aloud.
“Aww he wants to know where you are! Tell him we will be home in three minutes, and you two can meet up to talk then. You have to promise to fill me in on every word he says to you if he asks to speak to you alone. I won’t be able to bear not knowing!” Her excitement is contagious, and I give myself a moment to appreciate all the support she gives me. I don’t know what I’d do without Rebecca as my hype girl.
I laugh as I text him back.
Me
We are headed home from the grocery store. We will be back in 2 mins
Andrew
Oh perfect! I want to talk with you
