I glance at Gracie. “You’re coming to the game tonight, right?”
“Yeah, I promised your mom I’d keep her company.”
“I, uh, didn’t know you two made plans.”
Gracie shrugs in response. It seems like she talks with Mom more than me these days, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. It’s another reminder that I don’t know every single thing about her like before.
“Well, I’m sure Mom will love that. Do you want to sit with us today? I know you usually eat in the library, but I was thinking?—”
Tori cuts in. “You know how focused Susannah is, D, always studying hard for librarian school.”
“Veterinarian school, actually,” I quickly correct.
Gracie sucks in a deep breath like she’s gathering patience.
“Right. Maybe we should let her get to it,” Tori clips before pausing for a moment. “Or, actually, now that I think about it, you’re welcome to sit with us. We do have an extra spot, because I usually sit on D’s lap.”
I think my whole body flushes, and I aggressively rub the back of my neck like there’s a mosquito bite back there.
Gracie fidgets uncomfortably as the lunch lady punches her meal card. “Um, I’ll pass for now. B-But thanks.”
I frown when I hear her stutter. I should pull her aside and look into?—
“Grace!” A tall, blond kid with glasses comes running up to her. “Wow. I can’t believe you. We decide to get out of the musty library and eat in the cafeteria for the first time in forever, and you’re not even waiting for me?” He crosses his arms like he’s upset. “In the wise words of Stephanie Tanner,how rude.”
Okay. What in the actual fuck is going on here?I’mthe only person who calls her Grace. Mymomdoesn’t even call her Grace. Who is this kid? I look at her for an explanation, but she’s too busy fondly staring at four-eyed Chad Michael Murray to notice me.
His eyes stray from Gracie for two seconds. Does he notice me inching closer to her? “Hey! You must be Dan.” He gives me a genuine smile. “You’re Grace’s neighbor, right? You play some awesome football, dude.”
I look at Gracie with slightly narrowed eyes, hoping to convey something along the lines ofneighbor, really?before responding, “Uh, thanks. Yep, we live next door. I’m her best friend.”
He gives me a curious look. I need to play it cool, so I try not to look at him with too much suspicion. “And you are…”
Blondie chuckles. “Ah, sorry. This one”—he juts his thumb out atmyGracie—“knows that I’m always scattered. I’m Ben. Nice to meet you, man.” He holds out his fist for a bump. I bump him back against my will. He then notices Tori, who is suddenly sporting a huge smile on her face, gleefully looking between Gracie and Ben.
“I’m Tori. D’sgirlfriend,” she adds pointedly.
“D. Sweet nickname. Nice to meet you, Tori.” He clasps his hands together and smacks his lips. “Welp, Grace. Are we doing this thing, or?—”
I cut in. “How do you all know each other?”
Ben grins at her like they have an inside joke. I try to infiltrate his brain and channelstop looking at my Graciedirectly into his psyche, but he doesn’t get the memo. Are they together?
“We actually met last year in English class. I basically begged Grace to be my partner for the verbal presentation because she has a real gift for public speaking in stressful scenarios. It’s her one true passion in life, as I’m sure you know.” He winks at her. He actuallywinksat her. She lights up, playfully nudging him.
What. The. Fucking. Fuck. Is. Happening.
My heart rate speeds up, and I start to spiral. How have I missed her hanging out with this guy for months now?
“Cool, um, that’s cool. Super cool. You two hang out a lot, then?”
“She definitely makes up one hundred percent of my social circle within Ohio state lines, yes.” He pauses and taps his chin a few times with one finger like he’s reconsidering. “But, now that I’m thinking about it, I’m not so sure. Because I’ve been in Indiana for the last month and find her all but ditching me the second I’m back.”
Gracie laughs and rolls her eyes. “I’ve been in this cafeteria for, like, two seconds. I haven’t even exited the line.”
I speak before my brain catches up. “Do you guys want to eat with us?”
Tori makes a small huffing noise, and I turn to face her. She skewers me with an icy glare and pats my chest a few times. “Susannah already said no. Plus, I’m sure they’ve got their own…studydateplanned.” Tori wiggles her eyebrows up and down like I’m in on the least funny joke I’ve ever heard.
