“Ignore these guys, Lewis.” Carrie pulls a face.
Lois looks straight into my eyes. “Yeah, don’t listen to them. Listen to Carrie.”
“You little traitor!” Lane gasps.
Don claps his hands together. “Okay, Carrie. Hit Conley with all your top tips—I could do with a refresher.”
“Since I don’t really have a choice…” Carrie rolls her eyes. “Let’s start with the basics, Lewis. Did you tell her you’re sorry?”
I pause. IthinkI did…?
“Kinda.”
“Okay, so you didn’t,” Carrie says calmly. “Great. Have you considered doing that, you total jerk?”
I turn to Don. “And this is who taught you to be a better boyfriend? Because she’s a monster.”
“Hard agree.” He nods.
Carrie starts to hum to herself. “Okay. I guess you’ll just have to clean up your own mess, then.”
“It’s bad news when she starts singing, Lewis,” warns Don.
I shoot her a sweet smile. “I’m listening.”
“Did you at least tell her that you finally realized you actually like her?”
“Kinda.”
She punches my arm. “Saykindaone more time, and we’re done here!”
“I referred to myself as her boyfriend!” I counter.
“Oh no. No, no, no.” She covers her eyes with a hand. “Just how dumb can you get?”
“This is why I need help,” I say sadly.
“You Campus Drivers really struggle with this, don’t you?”
“In my defense, I was so worried about her, and she didn’t let me finish explaining! She was super cold. And then she called the nurse and got me kicked out.”
“That’s amazing.” Carrie laughs.
“I did my best.”
“That’s what’s so pathetic about it all—what did your best sound like, exactly?”
“I said I’d been worried about her. I told her I’d missed a game to be at the hospital for her,” I add.
“For real?” Her eyes widen. “That is such a shitty way of explaining things! No kidding, she got you kicked out!”
I frown. “What? Ididmiss a game! What I’m trying to say, is that she matters more than basketball!”
Adam nods eagerly. “That’s so deep, man.”
Carrie is tearing out her hair. “It isn’t, though! That’s the point!”
“Hey, Lewis and basketball gowayback,” Don says.
