“What was that about?” Logan asks, coming up beside me.
“Oh, nothing much,” I say. “Scottie’s just planning to kill me.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Scottie
Kayla leaves before me.
Everyone leaves before me.
My fingers type out the world’s most overengineered itinerary. Every day for the next six weeks is meticulously planned out. There isn’t a moment of downtime, which should reduce any and all of Lucas’s jokes about my favorite food or comments about my cat. I’ve mentioned both once,maybetwice. I don’t know why he’s treating casual observations like classified intel on a girl who asked to be redacted.
Like he’s the only person who knows she doesn’t really want to be ignored.
My typing trails off as I think about the flirty expression on his face, the way he was watching my lips, not like he wanted to kiss me, but like he wanted to make me smile …
Nope. Not going down that road.
I order my fingers to continue, and with each click of the keyboard, I feel my spine straighten. Who cares that he remembered a couple of things about me or that he wanted to make me smile? All it proves is that he’s not a total jerk. It doesn’t mean anything.
When my phone vibrates, I ignore it. Three minutes later, it vibrates again and again. I look down to see a message on the Quinn family thread—Jake included, as always. We don’t have a thread without him.
Mom
Just read a very flattering post about everyone’s new favorite “couple.” Well done, Scottie and Jake! Your father and I are so proud of the work you’re doing to help the world see the Jake we know and love.
Dallas
You don’t have to use the air quotes, Mom. We all know what’s going on.
Hudson
I don’t mind the air quotes. It makes the whole thing less gross.
Dad
Come on, Hud. The article was very nice. Have you read it? Here, I’ll copy and paste it.
Dad
[Link: “The Bad Boy and the Girl Next Door: How Scottie Quinn Is Showing the Softer Side of Jake Rodgers”]
Dad
It says: “When a reporter questioned Rodgers’ history of self-sabotage, Quinn stepped in like a protective Mama Bear. She may look polished, but she’s got fire in her. Has Jake really turned over a new leaf, or is she just a temporary safe place for him to land? Either way, the Firebirds’ front office has to be breathing a sigh of relief that Jake Rodgers is finally on the sweet end of the tabloid circus. Swipe to see their most iconic kisses!”
Dad
Isn’t that nice? Don’t they make it look good?
Dallas
Gross, Dad. You didn’t have to include the pictures of them kissing. I’m eating.
Hudson
Can one bleach one’s eyeballs?
