Rather than saying something that I thought would sound overly cheesy, I chose to stay silent and let the quietness settle over C and me while we were hugging.
I looked towards Siege and Dex while I had C in my embrace, and I tilted my chin down in acknowledgement, my way of saying thanks. Fortunately, it was enough for them as they nodded back, surprisingly with no hint of jealousy in their eyes.
It’s not like I magically think they’re good for C. But it definitely works in their favor that they didn’t just sit back during our spat, enjoying it, and they actually helped us make up even when I basically called them dangerous for her.
“Come on. Let’s eat,” C said, pulling away from me and setting the two dishes from the countertop to the table. I then went to the kitchen to grab myself a set of plate and utensils, placing them beside hers, while the two sat on the other side.
While us three guys sat down, Cosette still hadn’t settled down yet, grabbing a glass container and putting some of the tempura on there. “Take this home later, too, so your mom can taste my cooking,” she said while the three of us waited for her to finish.
The dinner felt intimate as C finally joined us, and we all started digging into the food, handing each other the dishes. There wasn’t much conversation going on, since none of us seemed to want to engage in small talk, but other than that, it wasn’t awkward.
It even felt comfortable. Natural.
Regardless, I couldn’t stop myself from glancing at C beside me, and then at the guys positioned in front of me, eating my mom’s brisket.
Was it so bad that I still wanted someone better for her?
Yeah, they may be right. I really am a jock-ass.
“Combs!”I heard C’s voice from across the street, and I turned around from my open car door, seeing her already on a half jog towards me.
“What’s up?” I asked, wondering what’s so important that she had to come all the way here and not just text me so they could get going.
“Do you want to ride with us instead? We’re all going to school.”
I looked behind her, and in the distance, Siege and Dex were waiting inside their car, eyes on us. Or maybe C’s ass that was definitely in their view, I don’t know. Their eyes were trained a little bit south of our faces.
“Uh, I want to accept the offer, but I’m gonna pass.”
Cosette nodded, and I studied the way her lips twitched as she bit her cheek, trying to read her expression.
“Yeah, okay. Are you still going to pick Andy up? It’s a bit late though, isn’t it?”
There it is.
“No, C. That’s not the reason. I have practice afterwards, and I doubt the three of you would want to hang around when you could just go home, so I’d rather drive myself home after.” I gently poked her forehead, trying to get it into her head that I’m completely done with Andy. Surely, it’s not like she was looking for drama, wanting to isolate Andy, or whatnot. C’s probably just scared that if I give Andy even a sliver of a chance to talk to me, she would have me convinced yet again at whatever web of lies she’s going to weave.
At that, her face seemed to lighten up, a smile finding its way to her face. “Right. Football, duh,” she muttered to herself, nodding. “Okay, drive safe, then.”
I nodded back at her, ruffling her hair, and she just laughed, pushing my hand away as she crossed the street again, getting inside Dex’s car before they drove off with her waving at me.
It didn’t take me long to follow, and I even ended up behind Dex in line to enter the school’s parking lot, with us taking up spaces side-by-side.
I slung my bag over my shoulders as I got down from my car, and I waited for C to get down so we could all walk into school together.
“Now that we’re okay, you’re going to cheer for me at the homecoming game, right?” I asked C as she stepped out, my arm automatically slinging over her shoulders, and I didn’t turn around to see what her boyfriends thought about that. I didn’t really care.
They know our friendship, and I doubt they’d stop me.
“I’m a good friend, Combs. I still would’ve gone even if you’d kept being a jerk.”
When we walked into the hallway, Andy seemed to have emerged out of thin air, eyes wide at how she found me and C together. With my arm around her shoulders. “What the hell is this? Nero, why didn’t you pick me up?”
As the commotion began, the people nearby who were at their lockers glanced in our direction to see what was happening, but a single look from me caused them to look away immediately. I understand they are capable of hearing us, but it seems strange that they would just stare at us. I don’t want to give Andy the satisfaction she gets from attention.
“I don’t believe you anymore, Andy. And I will never believe another word so long as it comes from your mouth,” I said, keeping my arm around Cosette, even though I could feel her tensing up beside me.
I was making a point and a statement.
