I side-eye him.What the hell is he doing here?
I turn my focus back to some imaginary point in the distance. He’s half turned into me, one arm slung around the back of my chair. I catch him glancing across me to Lewis. They exchange a look, and when he sees me looking at him, I look away, doing my best to ignore my racing pulse.
It’s still so early, I’m guessing his date was a complete fail.
Don’t be a bitch, Carrie.
I give myself a shake. I don’t want it to have been a fail—not really. Not at all, actually. He needs a girlfriend, and I need my freedom back. Facts. Though what I need most of all right now is another shot, but Donovan seems to have other plans. A jug of water lands on the table in front of me. He slides me a glass.Water?While I’m doing my best to drown out my demons, here he is, handing me a glass of water. Might as well pour it over my head.
I push the glass to one side. He slides it back over to me.
“You need to stay hydrated.”
You want hydrated? I’ll show you hydrated, Wolinski…
“It’s not good to mix your drinks,” I counter.
“You’re gonna be so sick tomorrow.”
“Okay, Dad…”
Dad.
My stomach churns. That really is the worst comparison I could possibly draw.
A rush of anxiety rises in me, and he suddenly feels way too close. I leap to my feet and head over to the other end of the table, desperate to get some distance between us—anything to shatter whatever it is we have going on. I sneak a sip of Lois’s beer, staring Donovan down as I gulp, daring him to say something.
“I’m down for more dancing, Carrie.”
I smile back at Jeff. Before Donovan showed up, I was having a great time with Lois’s brother—I had almost managed to forget a certain someone.
“Let me get myself ‘hydrated’ first.”
I raise my glass to Donovan. Just a little something to fire me back up.
I can sense Captain H2O seething at the other end of the table, and it turns out I’m not the only one he’s pissed at.
“Jeff, right?”
Lewis glances over in interest, and I hear Lane snicker, before Lois slaps his shoulder. There’s been a vibe shift, and we’re all picking up on it.
“Yeah.” Jeff smiles. “You must be Donovan? My sis said you’re the SHU team captain. Respect, bro.”
They fist-bump. The light has shifted in Donovan’s eyes, and I can’t get a read on him.
“Still in high school?”
Jeff nods. “I’m a senior! Gimme a few months, and I’ll be joiningyou guys. Well, not exactly,” he corrects. “Since you’ll have graduated. But you get me. The girls’ll still be here, at least.”
He elbows me affectionately. Is it my imagination, or did Donovan’s nostrils just flare? I shake my head. I’m seeing things. I must be.Girl, you need help. ASAP.
“By the way—Lane told me you’ll be needing new Campus Drivers,” Jeff continues. “Let me know when you start hiring! I’m saving up for a ’68 Mustang, and I’mthisclose.”
Lois leans across the table. “Since when do you give a shit about cars?”
“Since I got the world’s best brother-in-law.” He holds up a hand for Lane to high-five.
Lewis widens his eyes. “Dude—what? It’s way too early…”
