I swallow. “What about him?”
“Does he know you like him?”
I freeze.
He asks it so casually, like it’s just another part of the game, but my heart slams against my ribs becauseno, he doesn’t know. And I am not going to tell him. Not until I’m sure my heart isn’t going to be shattered.
Yes, he kissed me.
Yes, we spend time together.
But that does not a relationship make.
I wet my lips, feigning ignorance. “Does who know I like him?”
“The guy you like.” Easton scoffs. “Dumbass.”
He did not just call me a dumbass…
“You just seem like the type to…I don’t know—suffer in silenceinstead of taking action,” he continues, slowly ruining my entire evening. “I’m being a good friend and telling you togrow a pairandtellhim you like him.”
I want to die.
I also want to wipe that stupid, knowing look off his face.
With my mouth.
Nope.Nope, nope, nope.
I grip my phone tight. “Sure. I’ll get right on that,” I say, glaring at the screen. “Just know that I hate you.”
He laughs. “Nah, you love me.”
My stomach flips violently, and I have to remind myself thathe doesn’t mean it like that. It’s just Easton being Easton, completely and devastatingly unaware that he is the source of my suffering.
I force out a chuckle. “Yeah, okay.”
Something flickers in his expression.
“So when are you gonna tell him?”
“Would you please stop? I can’t tell him. He likes someoneelse.”
“Oh.” Easton’s face falls. “That sucks.”
“Yeah, tell me about it.” I laugh, but it comes out sounding fake. “It’s fine. It hardly matters.”
He doesn’t immediately agree. He doesn’t sayyeah, totally!orthe best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. No. He observes me stoically, like he’s seeing me for the first time.
And because I can’t take the silence—can’t takehim looking at me like that—I add, “Besides, I’m sure you can relate. You’ve had a crush on Maddie Miller since forever and she barely knows youexist.”
It comes out more defensive…and meaner than I intended it to, but I don’t take it back.
I can’t. My pride is on the line.
Easton blinks. “Um. Ouch?”
I shrug, playing it off like the blood isn’t rushing through my veins.
