“We’ve turned over a new leaf.” Daisy smiles sweetly and glances my way. “Isn’t that right, Carter?”
Fuck. Why is she putting me on the spot like this?
Unable to speak, I nod.
Her eyes sparkle with mischief. “In fact, Carter was just saying how we should spend more time together now that we’re getting along so well.”
Noah turns to me with interest. “Is that so?” He shakes his head. “I never thought this day would come. Pigs must be flying out of someone’s ass.”
“Nah,” Daisy says all casual-like. “He’s finally realized what an awesome person I am.”
The ball of pizza wedged in my throat finally makes its way past my windpipe. I grab my Gatorade and guzzle it trying to buy myself some time. I’m sweating bullets. “Yup, that’s right. Daisy is amazing.”
“It only took him three years to figure that out, but better late than never,” she says with a wink.
This girl is unbelievable.
I force my lips into a tight smile. Daisy’s going to get it when I get my hands on her tonight. And she’s going to get it good. Not to mention, hard. Goddamn it, I can’t go five minutes without thinking about being inside her.
I’m just about to respond when my phone dings with an incoming message. Thankful for the distraction, I look at my cell.
It’s my mom. The muscles in my stomach tighten into a painful knot. The pizza I just wolfed down threatens to revolt as I bolt up from the table with my half-eaten plate in hand. “I gotta take off.”
I glance at Noah knowing that he’ll understand without me saying anything more. His body tenses and all the previous teasing falls away. He doesn’t ask any questions. Just nods in acknowledgement.
I can’t get into any of this bullshit with Daisy here. She’s the last person I want knowing about my family.
Sensing the abrupt change in atmosphere, Daisy’s brows snap together. “Wait. You’re leaving now?” She gestures toward the TV. “But the game’s not over yet.”
When I remain silent, she moistens her lips and adds, “And it’s tight. We’re only up by three points.”
As much as I would rather stay with her and Noah, that’s not possible. Unable to meet her inquisitive stare, I keep my eyes averted.
“Yeah, sorry. I’ll catch you both later.” I dump my plate in the trash and grab the keys to my car before heading for the door.
Once I’m in the hallway, I stop and lean against the wall, squeezing my eyes shut. Maybe for a while, I was able to pretend all this other bullshit didn’t exist. But it does. And it’s not going anywhere. Whatever this is between Daisy and I needs to end. I can’t risk my friendship with Noah and I sure as shit don’t want her to find out about my family situation.
I don’t need that humiliation.
The best thing I can do at this point is back away.
I’m just not sure if I’m strong enough to pull the plug.
28
DAISY
At a loss, I watch Carter head for the door without a second glance. All within two minutes of receiving a text.
Who the hell was it from?
I’ve never seen him jump like that. I look at my cousin and try to get a read on his thoughts, but his gaze remains fixed on the television screen.
The three of us watching the game on a Sunday afternoon is our thing. We’ve been doing it since freshman year. Even when I couldn’t stand to be in the same room with Carter, it was still what we did.
Doesn’t Noah think Carter’s behavior was strange? We’re in the middle of the game and he just got up and took off. But Noah hasn’t commented on it.
I clear my throat and jerk my thumb toward the apartment door. “What’s up with that?”
