She’s laughing while tears streak her face.
“I can kick his ass.” Toby steps up next to me.
“No,” I chuckle. “Really. There’s no reason for everyone to be all bent out of shape about it. He hasn’t done anything to me in years. I’m sorry I even said anything. It was just a surprise, that's all.”
Toby nods. “Still. If he does anything, let me know.”
“I will.”
For the rest of the night, we talk about Lilly and her pregnancy, and I’m relieved once the attention is off me. The more I think about it, the more I know I’m making a way bigger deal over it than it needs to be.
I love my family, but they can be too involved, too protective. This is my thing to deal with.
I don’t think it’s really set in yet, though. This is Easton. Someone who was once my best friend, with whom I did everything with. He was my first love, and also my first heartbreak.
How do you go from years of avoiding one another to being in the same room?
How do I go about what I normally do, how I normally live, while sharing a space with someone who hates me?
Am I his biggest fan? No. I don’t like the guy, but I guess I don’t hate him. It takes a lot for me to hate someone.
Maybe I should just take it one day at a time. I might be just overthinking it. We both have crazy schedules with sports and classes, so we might not even cross paths beyond sharing a space to sleep.
Once supper is over, I hang out with my parents a bit before saying goodbye. I have an early class tomorrow, right after morning practice, so I need all the sleep I can get.
With leftovers in hand, I head home.
“Is that Mama Ellie’s food?” Danny asks, beelining for the bag in my hand.
“Not for you.” I hold it up out of reach.
“Oh come on! She always makes the best food.” He pouts.
“And you only know that because you’re always stealing my leftovers. That’s why I had to get a mini fridge in my room.”
“You know, if you’d invite us over more, I wouldn’t have to.” He pouts further.
“The last time I had you over at my parents’ house, you hit on Rain.” I give him a blank look.
“What?! She’s hot!”
“And she’s into women. Not to mention. Also married, to my mother.”
“Hey, I’ve been with married chicks before.” He grins. “Also, remember Tony Pike? Well, I got with his mom last year. Moms are hot.”
“And this is why you’re not allowed over.” I shake my head. “I swear to god, you need to go to some kind of sex therapy or something.”
“Oh, is it like massage therapy? I’d be down for that.”
“You’re hopeless.” I turn around and head for the stairs.
“Hey, before you go up there,” Danny says, stopping me. “Might wanna knock. I saw Easton heading up there with his girl.”
“Lovely.” I sigh.
For a second, I consider knocking, but this is my room. If they want to have sex or something, they can go do it somewhere else.
Thankfully, when I open the door, I find the two of them sitting on his bed, watching a movie on a laptop.
