“Sure.”
“How about next Friday?”
“Uh, sure.”
“Cool.”
And with that, she steps aside to make way for Carter and vanishes. She’s being so weird this morning. Last night’s fun and games feel like a distant memory—now something seems to be bothering her, I can tell. I suddenly remember how I lost my shit with Ethan, and the bitter taste of regret floods my mouth. Is that still on hermind? It must be, and I can’t say I’m surprised. I fucked up—big-time. Why couldn’t I hold it together last night? Why didn’t I just explain why seeing her on that bike made me freak out?
“I’m going downtown to see Becca,” Carter announces, tucking his phone away.
“Sure thing.”
He slips on his jacket. “You’re thinking about your brother.”
Goddamn mind reader.I take a deep breath in. “Last night when I left your place, I headed over to pick Lois up from class, and when I got there, she was about to catch a ride home with her teacher. On a bike.” The words tumble out of me, and I only breathe once they’re out.
Carter nods. “What with the anniversary of his death coming up… You kind of freaked out?”
“Worse than that,” I continue, “I completely lost my shit, dude. I nearly punched the guy in the face.”
“So does Lois know?”
I don’t answer that. I don’t have to.
“I don’t understand why you’re keeping this to yourself, Lane.” Carter shakes his head.
“I don’t like talking about myself.”
“Yeah, but this is Lois.”
“What does that even mean? I barely know her. It took almost a year before I was ready to tell the others.”
“What’s really going on here?” He takes a step closer, burying his hands deep in his pockets. “Were you jealous, seeing her with that guy?”
“No fucking way!” I shake my head. “And anyway, she’s in love with her ex. She’ll never hook up with anyone else.”
“By which you mean you, or her teacher?”
“Carter. I’m not into Lois, okay? So quit suggesting I am.”
“Do you see her as a friend?”
I rub my face, sighing. “Yeah, I think so—in a way.”
“Let me tell you something, buddy. I’ve got friends who are girls, and none of them mess with my head like that. I know relationships aren’t your strong suit—or social interactions in general—so let me give you some advice.”
“Right. I’m all ears, Dr. Carter,” I deadpan.
“Sleep with her.”
I bark out a humorless laugh, and he grins at me, pleased with himself.
“Plus, Lois—”
“Yes?” She steps out of the bathroom before he can finish. “What were you saying about me,” she adds, suddenly suspicious.
“I was just telling Lane that you should sleep with—”
