“How do I keep it clean?” Claire looked confused as Fran nodded. Claire grabbed a spot on the floor, across the coffee in front of the rest of us. “I just… clean.”
“That’ll do it,” Thane said, chuckling at his girlfriend’s simple question.
Fran shrugged. “What? I need tips. I’m never home but it’s always messy.”
Fran and Thane were on the love seat, cuddled under a blanket and sharing their favorite TikToks with the rest of us. I sat between Nate and Leo. Claire had been too nervous to take the spot next to my brother. The two seemed in a better place as of late, but she still needed space.
When I first sat down, Leo moved as if he was going to wrap his arm around me. I nearly bolted in panic but turned to Nate instead to ask some silly question about how his summer was going. He gave me a weird look and asked if I’d already had too much to drink.
“I’m asking a simple question,” I defended. “I’m drunk if I care about your wellbeing?”
“Yeah.” Nate nodded and pulled his hoodie over his head. He was in a mood. It definitely had to do with Claire’s outfit, a stunning matching two-piece set, complete with a flowing skirt. I said her ass looked amazing before realizing Nate was in earshot. His face never looked more flushed in his life. It was kind of hilarious.
Leo shifted on the couch. He also sensed Nate’s mood but didn’t comment on him because he preferred giving people time. His thigh pressed against mine for a moment. When he didn’t move away, I began to sweat.
Yes, I wanted to be open with everyone about the change in our relationship. Now wasn’t the time. Not with all of us together. I was a ‘break it down for one person at a time’ kind of girl.
“Are we waiting for someone?” Nate asked Claire when he noticed her staring at her phone. “Or should we start?”
“Can we play Catan?” Fran’s eyes grew large with excitement. Everyone’s shoulders seem to collectively drop in dread.
“How ‘bout something a little less in-depth first?” I suggested. “Like a warm-up? Uno’s good for that.”
“Agreed. Uno sounds perfect,” Claire said as she got up and hurried towards the front door. She opened the door before the person on the other side could knock. Derek walked in, giving her a grocery bag full of snacks. She laughed when he said something too low for any of us to hear.
Fran and I exchanged looks. We smiled at each other, silently questioning if the other knew when those two started hanging out outside of bar hopping.
With everyone distracted by our last guest, Leo leaned over to whisper, “When I make an excuse to leave early, want to do the same?”
I tried to keep a straight face and gave him a subtle nod.
“I’ll text you.” He pushed off the couch to join Claire and Derek in the kitchen. Fran squealed once Claire and Derek were out of earshot and clamored over to take Leo’s place. She folded her small legs under her and grabbed my arm.
“Did you see that?” she whispered, pausing for a moment to glance at Nate. He was staring back at her and shrugged when she gave him apologetic eyes.
“Don’t let me ruin your gossiping,” he told her. “I’m fine.”
“My excitement for the moment was very insensitive,” she said ruefully. “I love you both but Claire… you know. She’s Claire. She likes being with people.”
Nate nodded, understanding. I hated seeing him this bummed. There was nothing I could do about it, either. They had to figure out their mess on their own. It felt liberating to think that way. Bittersweet but liberating.
“Yeah, she’s Claire.” He moved to refill his cup.
It was like that the entire night. Fran overly excited and being the general life of the party. Claire and Derek seemingly more bonded. And Nate trying to pretend like he didn’t want to bolt.
Leo texted me after we spent hours staving off Fran’s request for Catan. We’d gone through Uno, Life, Battleship, and Pictionary to tire her out. Nothing worked.
Let’s go now. I’ll meet you at your place. I want to show you something, Leo’s text read.
I nodded at him across the table. He waited a good ten minutes before telling Claire he needed to take care of something for his parents.
“They’re coming back to town for the charity swim,” he explained. “I’m supposed to stock up the fridge. My mom hates takeout.”
“Aw, that sucks.” Fran stuck out her lower lip.
“Leaving or hating takeout?” Thane wondered.
“Both, definitely both,” she said.
