But he’s doing okay, and that’s a good thing.
It’s good that he’s focused on hockey.
My phone buzzes on the table, and without trying to, my heart pounds in my chest at the thought that it might be him… but it’s not.
It’s never him anymore
Lu
We still on for 6?
Yeah.
I’m with your girlfriend and Steph right now, so I’ll text you when they release me.
Don’t let them bully you!
And tell Steph she’s on the hook for that beer she drank last night!
Remind her that whoever drinks the last one, buys the new pack.
“Lucas says you owe them a pack of beer,” I snort.
She throws her hands up, “that rule is so fucking dumb. I don’t even live there!”
“And yet you drank their last beer without a second thought,” Claire giggles into her cup.
Steph kicks her from under the table, “girlfriend laws, dude. I can drink what I want in my boyfriend’s house, and not have to adhere to any of their insane rules.”
Me
Good luck trying to get it out of her, she declared girlfriend laws.
Lu
That’s bullshit! She’s here all the time!
It’s like one brick wall talking to another brick wall with those two.
“You and Lucas have gotten really close recently,” Claire states.
I can’t read the look on her face, whether she’s upset about that or not. Even if she was, I can’t say I would blame her.
But the thought of her getting upset with me hanging out with her boyfriend makes me feel sick to my stomach. I don’t want her to be angry with me, but when she hung out with Johnny, I would fucking spiral.
I’m a hypocrite.
And a loser.
I hesitate, “is that… okay?”
She smiles, “I think it’s good for both of you.”
“He’s been less dickish lately.” Steph takes a sip of herslushy, “being friends with you has really changed the ways of Lucas St. James.”
Being friends with me couldn’t have changed him that much. I think he’s always been this way, just chose to never show it. He’s a good guy, genuinely fun to hang out with, I can’t imagine him any other way.
“He’s been taking me out on drives,” I admit. “I’m slowly working up the courage to drive myself, but I’m just not there yet.”
