“Back up, Raven! I’m begging you… Please don’t go there.”
“I’m your big sister, Amy!” she protests. “Remember?”
“How could I ever forget?”
I’m dying inside—this is beyond awkward.
“I know what you’re like,” she continues. “I know what you’re like withmen.You always find a way to keep them in check, but I was watching you earlier, and you were… different.”
“Because I’d just woken up? You know I hate mornings.”
I know she doesn’t believe a single word I’m saying. I glance down at her hands—she’s playing the world’s smallest violin.
“Stop! Your fingers look like wieners, by the way.”
“They’re just bloated because I’m pregnant!”
“Or because you’re fat.”
She opens her mouth to snap back at me but changes her mind. “Don’t change the subject, smart-ass.”
I could open up to her about Lewis—tell her exactly how he makes me feel. Maybe she could give me some insight, but… I feel myself clamming up. It’s stupid, but when you’ve kept the same vibe going for so long, the sense that you’re growing into someone else feels weird. Embarrassing, almost.
“Sorry, sis—but no guy will ever get me twirling my hair and acting like a lovesick teen and shit.”
“You’re right. No guy can fix that for you. Only you can.” She points to my chest.
“Are you saying I need a boob job?”
She sighs. “You’re exhausting. Go to your room.”
“Preach, sister!”
Just as I’m walking away, she calls out to me.
“When you’re ready to talk about it, Amy—reallytalk about it, I mean—you know where to find me.”
I nod.
“And don’t youdaretalk it through with Charlotte before coming to me!”
“Hey, I’m her stepsister-in-law!” Charlotte says as she steps out of the bathroom.
“Okay, checking out now.” I hold my hands up. “Don’t wanna get involved in a domestic dispute.”
I’M HANGING AROUND THE GYM,waiting for my next one-on-one with Lewis. He’s doing the driving today—apparently all I need to do is sit back and observe. I don’t really get what the big deal is. I mean, how hard can it be, driving students from A to B? I’ve had this kind of gig before, albeit in completely different circumstances. I shrug to myself. Who cares? The point is, I can’t wait to see him. I miss him and his dumbass ways. He’s all I can think about.
A horn blares out, and when I see the Dodge slowing to a halt right in front of me, my heart skips a beat. I haven’t seen him since our breakfast date with my sister, so I’m a little on edge as I stroll over to his door, and when he rolls the window down, my pulse quickens. I still don’t know exactly what makes him different from all the other guys. He’s clearly not my type—but I’m feeling him, all the same.
He slides his shades down his nose, and there’s a darkness in his eyes that catches me off guard.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He frowns. “Why?”
“You seem off. Like you just killed someone.”
