Maybe if I stay perfectly still she’ll get bored and go away. Where is a giant boulder or hedge when you want a goddamn place to hide?
“Obviously that’s what we’re doing,” Harper mutters under her breath, too softly for Maddie to hear, and I bump her with my hip.
If Maddie notices us acting strange or standing too close, she doesn’t let on. I shift my stance to block the fact that my hand is planted on Harper’s chest, arm twisted in a way that cannot look natural to anyone paying close attention.
She wiggles her cell. “Mind if I film some of it for my page? People love behind-the-scenes stuff.”
“Behind the scenesimplies that you’re helping, too,” Harper grumbles, again for my ears only.
I cough to cover her sarcastic remarks.
“We’re, uh, just finishing up.”
This time Maddie homes in on my hand. Fingers. Harper’s collarbone. The fact that I haven’t lowered my arm…
“Why are you both acting strange?” Maddie’s eyes narrow as she glances at Harper, then back at me. “Why do you have your hand on her?”
“No reason,” I say dumbly.
“Are you sure? Because it kind of looks like you’re stuck.”
Stuck? She doesn’t know the half of it.
I force a laugh; it comes out more like a nervous wheeze. “Oh, yeah—that. Ha ha. Just a little mishap with the glue.” Lying has never been my forte. “Tiny one.”
“Was thisyourfault?” Maddie smirks. “You always were kind of clumsy when we were younger, Easton.”
I was? She remembers that? “Gee, thanks.”
Her gaze settles on Harper. My hand. Harper’s face.
“Aren’t you just thebusiestbee, Harper Conrad. Prom committee, decorating—and now arts and crafts playtime with Easton?”
Playtime with Easton?I don’t love her sarcastic tone. There’s a sharpness, a sneer she doesn’t try to hide when she’s speaking to Harper that she hasn’t had with me.
Beside me, Harper bristles, stiffens even more, if that’s possible—and for a second, I wonder if she’s going to clap back at Maddie or stay quiet (for once).
Her jaw is tight but she says nothing.
Honestly? Not sure if I’m relieved or disappointed.
“We’re just helping out,” I tell Maddie, one hand hanging at my side like a limp dick, one hand on Harper. It’s so fucking awkward I can’t stand it. “Mr.Grazz needed some extra hands.”
Maddie tilts her head. Fiddles with the cell in her hand. “Isn’t thatsweetof you.” Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes. “Maybe I’ll take some pictures for my social media now. Show everyone howdedicatedyou are.”
“Harper’s been a huge help, too,” I add quickly, glancing down at the top of her head. “Couldn’t have done it without her.”
“Oh, I’ve been a huge help, have I?” Harper gives me a tight-lipped smile that tells me I am getting my ass chewed out as soon as Maddie walks away.
Maddie, oblivious to the tension brewing between Harper andme, holds her cell high, moving around to capture different angles of the gym. A true professional!
I’m impressed, my earlier discomfort forgotten. She probably didn’t mean to be rude to Harper. She’s just focused on her task, right?
“This is going to look great once it’s all done,” she calls over her shoulder. “I’m sure everyone’s going to love it.” She purses her mouth and takes a selfie. “The district agreed to pay me for the finished video.”
“Awesome.”
She continues scanning the gym with her camera. “I’ll make sure to tag you guys.”
