“I’m out.” Lyn slams her bottle down on the coffee table and stands.
“Lyn, don’t go.” I scramble out of Callan’s lap, chasing after her with Nikki hot on my heels.
“Lyn, wait,” Nikki calls out.
Lyn stops and spins around to face us. “I have studying to do tomorrow and that assignment for English, so it’s best I leave now before I drink too much or say something to Gwen I probably shouldn’t.”
“What is going on with you two?” I ask.
“Nothing. You know we don’t always see eye to eye, and she’s been pissing me off tonight. I wish she wouldn’t act like that.”
“You know things are rough for her at home.”
A bitter laugh bursts from her lips. “And there you go making excuses for her again.”
“Lyn.” Nikki eyeballs her. “Don’t take your bad mood out on Astrid.”
“Then let me fucking leave!”
“I love you,” I say, grabbing Lyn into a hug, wishing I could fix whatever is bugging her. “If you ever want to talk, I’m here for you.”
“I love you too, and I know that.” She hugs me briefly before walking off without another word.
“I hate that two of our friends are fighting.”
“Same, but I think we should stay out of it and let them sort it out themselves.” Nikki loops her arm in mine as we slowly walk back to the living room. “My mom said her parents are considering a divorce. I think things are rough for her at home right now.”
“Why hasn’t she said anything?” I ask as we head toward our friends. Gwen is now leaning across the couch, talking animatedly to Callan from her seat on Scott’s lap.
“It’s obviously hard for her to talk about it. I’m sure she’ll tell us in her own time.” Nikki sighs. “She’s not wrong about Gwen though. She’s trashed and putting on a show she might regret in the morning. Honestly, I’m shocked Scott isn’t intervening. Maybe he’s had a personality transplant to go with his physical transformation. I mean, look at her? If she leans forward any more, her tits are gonna pop right out of that dress.”
When I reach Gwen, I block Callan’s view with my body while I discreetly fix the top of her dress, pushing her boobs securelybehind the material. Her brow puckers as she stares at me. “You were about to fall out,” I whisper.
“You’re such a good friend, Azzie.” She smacks a loud kiss on my cheek before turning around and planting her lips back on Scott’s.
I laugh as I lower my butt onto the couch beside Callan. No one can ever say Gwen Wright is no fun. There is never a dull moment with her around.
“This party has been a real eye-opener,” Callan murmurs in my ear as his arm envelops my shoulders again.
“Honestly, this was kinda tame,” I admit, meeting his eyes. “Usually, there’s at least two fights and way more girl drama.”
He grins, and his whole face lights up. “I thought moving to a small town in Vermont was going to be boring. I’ve never been happier to eat my words.”
14
ASTRID
Feet pounding on the sidewalk draw my attention away from the handrail I’m painting, and I lift my head just as Callan comes into view, jogging toward his house in a pair of training shorts and a sleeveless training top. Hair is stuck to his brow, and his top clings to the chiseled planes of his chest and taut abs. My heart skips a beat when he spots me, instantly grinning as he pops earbuds from his ears. “I see Ma wasted no time putting you to work,” he calls out as he walks along the path leading to the porch where I’m standing.
“I woke early and decided to get a head start.” I’m not admitting I didn’t sleep well because my brain wouldn’t switch off, and thoughts of his fake-dating proposal occupied my mind all night.
“Where are Ma and Da?” he asks, panting a little as he climbs the steps.
“Your mom went inside to get drinks, and your dad took Erin, Freja, and Alma to the park with my dad.”
“Cool.” Bending over, he rests his large palms on his sweaty thighs.
“Hard run?” I inquire, resuming my painting.
