I clench my jaw, staring at Alix’s smile. What a manipulative, controlling, rich snob. I look at Cecily and can’t help but judge that this is her best friend.
“Yeah,” I say, stepping back from Alix.
“Good talk,” Alix whispers, clenching her nose up high.
I start walking just as Cecily says, “What did you talk to him about?”
I don’t hear Alix respond.
“Dylan!” Cecily catches up to me and stops in front of me. “Can you take us home?”
“You didn’t drive?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “No, and I really need to leave. Like now. It’ll throw off my entire routine for the week again, and––”
“Okay,” I say, turning around.
Cecily waves at Alix and says, “He’s going to take us home.”“Already,” Alix groans. “No! What about Rocky?”
Cecily shrugs. “What about him?”
Alix widens her eyes, so I say, “With Rocky, play hard to get. And there’s a party here again next weekend if you want to come.” I give her an evil grin. “Oh, and invite that brother of yours, yeah?”
Alix glares at me. Fuck, she’s a mean girl. I look at Cecily now, judging her choice in friends.
Alix groans again dramatically. “Fine. Fine. Next weekend I’ll bring Dane, and you, sir.” She pokes my cheek. “You put in a good word for me with Rocky.”
I walk to my truck and wonder whether I should. Rocky won’t care, but I will. I don’t need her tainting anything else in my life. Because by the looks of it, Cecily is excited for what’s to come.
They both sit in the backseat, talking about shit I can’t hear. They’re giggling, taking pictures of each other, and acting like I’m an Uber driver.
I pull up to Cecily’s place, and Alix gets out first. Cecily calls, “I’ll meet you inside.”
That surprises me, so I look in my rearview mirror at Ce, wondering what this is about. Alix’s death glares at me as Cecily leans forward.
Cecily rests her chin on her hand, looking at me in the mirror. “So.”
The truck door closes, and Alix is walking up the stairs.
“So?” I question, confused about why she’s letting her friend walk alone into her apartment right now.
She smiles, and I can smell her lip gloss. “Thanks for the ride.”
I nod. “That’ll be twenty dollars.”
She scoffs, pushing my shoulder, and laughs. “Frick off, Dylan.”
I stare into the mirror, wondering what she’s going to say next. She takes a moment to think. Her smile drops as she looks out the window.
Then she says, “You made it kind of obvious about Dane.”
“Did I?” I ask.
Her eyes flare. “Yeah, and I’m trying to be subtle about it. I don’t need her mad at me.”
I bite my lip and readjust my grip on the steering wheel. “Don’t keep your friend waiting too long.”
“You’re right,” she says, scooting over the seat. “Will you be able to come to the gym this week? Your ankle seems to be better.”
