Liam snaps up. There’s no way we can get out without his dad knowing we were in the back seat together. I start to pull on a shirt but I realize it’s Liam’s, and Liam has the same realization, because my own shirt looks like a crop top on him.
So we switch as fast as we can, and try to pull on our jackets. Then Liam takes a deep breath, opens the door, and steps out into the cold.
I hang back as Liam stands, stiff-armed, while his dad hugs him and holds his shoulders. He’s got Liam’s height, and black hair, but his face is softer, cheeks less angular. He’s got the samepiercing eyes, though. And to my surprise, his smile is kind and open, just like his son’s.
“You must be Jackson.”
“Yes, sir.” I don’t know why I call him sir. I don’t call anyone sir. This isn’t the Navy. But I hold out my hand.
“Oof, Matt is just fine.” He shakes my hand, then turns back to Liam. “Pop the hood?”
If he wonders what we were doing in the back seat, he doesn’t mention it. Instead, he bends over the hood while Liam pops it. Matt shines his phone’s flashlight inside, looks around before shaking his head. “It won’t somethingsomething?”
“No.”
“Let’s try jumping it.”
So they do, and despite having a lot of experience with running power for lights, I stand back and let Matt deal with the jumper cables, because car batteries don’t have breakers and everything is still wet. Definitely not fire marshal approved.
Liam tries to start the car, but still nothing.
Matt sighs, scratches the back of his head the same way Liam does. I can’t follow any of what he’s saying to his son, but apparently part of it involved me, because he looks like I’m supposed to answer.
“Uh. Did you say something?”
He blinks, and I see the moment when he remembers I’m deaf. It never gets any less awkward.
“Sorry, Jackson. I can give you a ride home, if you’d like.”
“Oh. Thanks.”
***
My lips still feel a little numb from all the kissing, and my chest is tight from the awkwardness of the ride with Liam’s dad, but still, I’m smiling when I put in the code to the garage, kick off my shoes, and step into the kitchen.
“Who was that?” Jasmine asks without preamble.
“Huh?”
“Who dropped you off?”
“Oh. Uh.” I wasn’t expecting a confrontation about this. “Liam’s dad. His car broke down.”
“So you were just going to get a ride with him?”
“Yeah? He’s in the cast? He’s my friend?”
I don’t know why she’s being weird about this. She knows we’re friends.
Does she know we’re something more now? Is it written across my face? Did someone say something?
Can she see one of my hickies? I thought we were being careful.
“How can you still be friends with him?” she asks. “After what he did to me?”
“He didn’t do anything to you. People break up all the time.” She should know.
How many boyfriends has she had?
