“Did you set an alarm to make sure we didn’t leave your ass behind this time?” I can’t help but tease him. I fucking love teasing him, especially when his lips lift the tiniest bit.
“Yes,” he grumbles as he gets into the back seat.
I don’t have to look at him during the class to know he’s watching because I can feel the heat from his eyes on me. I move my body to the music and keep my eyes off of him. As soon as we get back to the house, he disappears again. He doesn’t even eat the lasagna and garlic bread Becca left for us. Lil and I watch TV and go to bed without seeing him.
At lunch on Friday, I eat everything I can find at lunch that needs a spoon, licking it off slowly while Luca pretends not to watch me.
On the way home, Lil groans while looking at her phone. “The Hello Summer! party is next weekend.”
“Why are we doing that again?”
“Because it makes Mom happy.”
“Oh yeah. I guess that’s a good reason.” Every now and then, we have a couple of friends over, but that’s about it. Neither of us has had a birthday party in years, by choice. Mom throws exactly one big party every year: The Hello Summer! party.
“Mom hasn’t mentioned it in a while. Maybe she forgot.” Lil sounds way more hopeful than she should be, and I snort.
“Nope, no way. She probably already has a room in the house somewhere filled with soda and chips and candy. I just hope she doesn’t invite the Johnsons.”
Lil cringes at the name. “Ew. If we never see either of those two assholes again, it’ll be too soon.”
“Next time I see either of them, they’re ending up in the shed, and I’m dealing with them myself.”
“Who are they, and what’d they do to you?” Ah, curiosity. It even gets the better of Luca. His voice is all low and smoky, like he’s imagining committing murder. I don’t care if it’s wrong to think that’s hot.
It’s so fucking hot.
“The Johnson twins. They’re always hitting on us, and they’re just creepy. We avoid them like the plague,” Lil explains.
“Because theyarethe plague.”
“Truth.” Lil nods.
“So tell Mia you don’t want them there,” Luca says.
Lil turns to look at him over her shoulder. “The thing is, their parents are sometimes invited to things, and then they just show up, too. We should remind her that we hate their fucking guts, though.”
Mom’s in the kitchen when we get home, and she assures us that none of the Johnsons have been invited to the party. After asigh of relief, we realize our mistake because mentioning the party means the damn floodgates open, and she starts talking about all the things. My eyes glaze over and I’m organizing my nail polishes in my head.
“Okay, I see I’ve lost you,” Mom says with a laugh. “I won’t bore you with the details anymore.”
I yawn. “No, no, we’re not bored. We’re really excited.”
“Mmmhmmm. Sure. You girls are never excited about parties.”
“I would never lie to you, Mom,” I say as sweetly as possible. She snorts in reply. “Such an unbecoming noise to come from a lady!” I say, clutching my hand to my invisible pearls in mock horror.
Mom laughs and wraps her arms around me. She’s the best. She and Dad are both the best. It’s strange to think that punching Parker in the face all those years ago led to Lil’s parents taking me in. They’ve done so much for me. Cared for me, loved me, like no one else ever has. I’m one lucky bitch.
I catch a glance of Luca sitting at the counter. There’s something real between us. Maybe I’m even luckier than I thought, and it’s love, too. Whatever it is, it’s simmering there, waiting for us to grab it and never let go.
But his kiss-and-ditch move is driving me nuts and pissing me off. After dinner, Mom suggests another movie night. I grab my own blanket before Luca stomps in. He doesn’t reach for popcorn at all. Every time I sneak a peek at him, he’s staring straight ahead.
Well, fuck him, then. Or… shit. Obviously, I’m not fucking him. Why do we say that? Whatever. He can go fuck himself. That’s better!
Chapter 23
Not the best idea I've ever had
