“Okay,” I agree.
He narrows his eyes, and I get the feeling that he’s studyingme. “Why are you grinning like that?”
West wants to study after dinner?Fine with me. This is about to be the longest damn meal he’s ever had.
I brush thetip of my finger across my nose ring for the tenth time in under a minute. It hurt less than I thought it would, but my skin is tender. It took West and me two hours to eat sandwiches and chips, and when we walked out of the restaurant, Idragged us right into the tattoo and piercing shop. And now I have a ring in my nose, and we’ve spent the last couple of hours wandering all over campus, avoiding my dorm room and the library at all costs.
Tucson smells like orange blossoms and spring, and I can’t recall a time when I ever feltlesslonely. A few months ago, leaving my room to hang out with Amber felt difficult, but there’s nothing easier than spending time with West.
I blink, and we find ourselves walking down Greek row, peering at frat parties from the curb, when three girls stumble down the front porch steps of one of the houses, tripping over their feet and giggling like crazy.
“They’re on another planet,” West says with a laugh.
“That could be you. You could be halfway through a twelve-pack while Amber and Kyle get freaky in the next sleeping bag.”
He pretends to dry heave. “Pass.”
“Why didn’t you go?” I press, wondering how much information I can pry out of him tonight.
“How many reasons do you want?”
“Because you don’t drink?”
“For starters.”
“Why don’t you?” I ask. He gives meextremeside-eye. “It’s rude to bring it up but not talk about it!”
“Youbrought it up!”
I put my hand to my chest as I flutter my eyes. “Did I?”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Those eyelashes are out of control.”
“Is that a compliment?”
“You look like Bambi.”
“You’re not changing the subject that easily.”
“You are so unsubtle.”
“I’m curious!”
“I know. That’s why I like you.” He avoids eye contact as he passes a hand over the back of his neck, and I wonder how much I should read into his last statement. “It’s a boring story, but since you’re obviouslydyingto hear it, my dad cheats on my mom.”
My stomach drops. “Oh god. How’d you find out?”
“Well, my half sister was a dead giveaway.”
“Are you serious?”
West nods. “He had a one-night stand with a woman on a business trip. Claims he was drunk and didn’t know what he was doing. Fast-forward nine months, and I had a sister. She’s seven now and lives in Boston. Gabbi. She’s cute. Sassy. Has a thick accent and already swears like a sailor.”
“How did your mom react?”
He blows out a long breath. “She stayed with him and had another kid, so…not well, in my opinion. And now he knows he can cheat and she’ll never leave.”
“West, that sucks.Hesucks! I’m sorry. I—” Hot, aimless anger churns in the pit of my stomach. “That isnota boring story!” I’m worried it’s the wrong thing to say until West laughs.
