Finn raises an eyebrow. “That’s a little rich coming from a guy who will be living across the hall from her now because of a secret plot to always be present.”
I didn’t even give Finn that information, but it’s obvious he’s put all the pieces of my win-Julia’s-heart puzzle together. The sage bastard.
“I’m not saying I’mnotunwell, Finn. I’m just saying Julia deserves someone with depth. With passion. With—”
“An arrest record for stalking?” Finn cuts in.
“Listen. I know I’m a little off the deep end right now, but I can’t help it. I’ve been in love with that girl since she used to share her Fruit by the Foot with me in kindergarten. It just took me a while to figure it out.”
Scottie’s expression softens. “You’re not wrong for loving her. Just…don’t let it make you the villain.”
I sigh, the weight of my own madness settling in. “You guys can go. I’ll hang here for a bit, let the agony marinate, and then go home.”
Finn narrows his eyes. “Don’t go over there after we leave.”
“I won’t.”
“Don’t lie to me. I know that look. That’s the ‘I’m about to crash a date and call it fate’ look.”
I raise my hands. “Swear on the lobster rolls.”
Finn looks at Scottie, then back to me. “We’re actually leaving this time. But I swear to God, Ace, donotgo over there.”
“I won’t.”Probably.
Scottie sighs.“Ace.”
“You’re right. You’re right. I’ll leave soon. I promise. Talk to you guys later.” I say with a wave of my hand, not even looking at them as they start to move away. A Frisbee match has started up on the lawn on the other side of Julia and Drew, and I bet if I sweet-talk the guys playing, I can join in to get a better vantage point.
For now, my obsession reigns supreme.
They start to move away, and I watch them go, my eyes drifting back to Julia as she laughs at something Drew says. My chest squeezes like I’m the one under a microscope and not the one hiding in shrubbery.
But before Finn and Scottie disappear completely down the trail, I whisper after them, “Hey, on the Fourth…you guys are gonna hype me up, right?”
“Oh yeah, man.” Finn doesn’t even turn around. “I’ve got red, white, and blue body glitter with your name on it.”
Scottie lifts a hand. “We believe in you. But, like, go home, Ace. Seriously, go home.”
I don’t answer. I just turn back toward the girl I can’t seem to stop chasing.
“DoorDash for…Acer?” a voice whispers behind me.
I grin. It’s a confession written in buttered seafood and soda.
Clearly, I have no current plans of leaving anytime soon.
Saturday, June 28th
Julia
Today is my dad’s birthday.
Which means, in the Brooks house, things are chaos.
Not because my dad cares—Kline Brooks is the most low-key, under-the-radar, “please don’t make a fuss” kind of guy in the universe. But because my mom insists on making a fuss for him anyway. Every year. Without fail. This year’s fuss is a dinner party for thirty-five of his “closest friends,” a signature cocktail called The Brooksberry Mule, and a custom ice sculpture in the shape of a K.
She’s been spiraling since sunrise. Which is exactly why I snuck out of the house the second I saw the opportunity. I slid into my sandals, grabbed my purse, and whispered a quick “love you” toward the general chaos of the kitchen before disappearing into the sweet, quiet freedom of my car.
