The air left AJ’s lungs. She stared at Toni. She had told her about that in the strictest confidence.
“Well?” said Toni, holding AJ’s gaze with a bored, insolent expression.
And that’s when AJ understood: Tonight had been an act. Toni didn’t want to make up at all; she wanted payback.
AJ’s heart was pounding so hard she might have just stepped off the track. She half glanced at Noah, who did not seem at all perturbed by this turn of events. Maybe he didn’t realize. Maybe he didn’t have to. As for Toni…Toni could go to hell.
“He was my friend,” said AJ evenly.
“Aww,” said Toni, unmoved. “How old?”
Fuck.
“Seventeen.” Beside her, Noah stilled.
“Where were you?” asked Toni, eyes gleaming.
AJ’s temples buzzed. “How many questions is this?”
Xiaobo laughed. “Ooo, she’s embarrassed. Let me see. Was itunder the bleachers? In therain?”
AJ snorted, now actively angling away from Noah.
“Oo, I know. At a Ricky Martin concert,” tried Xiaobo.
Lie,AJ commanded herself.Lie, lie—
“Spit it out!” said Drunk Dave.
Toni’s eyes glinted with predatory glee, and AJ thoughtfuck it.
She straightened up. “It was at a convention.”
For a split second, the only sound was the sputtering of the torches.
“Wait, you mean like…” Xiaobo made a Vulcan salute.
“Yup.”
Noah had to know. There was no way he didn’t know. But AJ couldn’t risk looking at him. Dave and Xiaobo snickered like hyenas.
Toni wasn’t finished yet. “And how was the actual kiss?”
AJ met her eyes with defiance. “Honestly? It was pretty hot.”
“Pretend like you don’t know how to say that in Klingon,” said Xiaobo, and Dave guffawed.
“Okay, who’s next?” said AJ quickly.
“Noah,” said Xiaobo, and they all turned to face him. As AJ slowly pivoted to join, she found Noah’s eyes on her, his expression unreadable, cheeks slightly flushed.
“Dare,” said Noah.
“Ohhhh,” said the group.
“Kiss AJ,” shouted Drunk Dave.
Now everyone froze.
