“He did?” Maia and I wonder in unison.
“What did he say?” she asks.
Maybe that night wasn’t a fluke. He wouldn’t bring me up to Brinley unless it meant something, right?
“Not much.” She continues to eat the fries.
“Brinley?”
“Umm, you didn’t share this information with me for two weeks; why should I just fork it up right away?”
“Brinley,” I repeat.
“He just asked me where you were,” she says. “I told him that you left. Or at least I thought you did.”
“He was looking for me.” I pause, looking at Brin and then back to Maia. “Did he say why?”
“No, he really didn’t say much,” she continues. “He kind of snapped at me when I asked him why he cared.”
There’s a long pause before Brinley smiles.
“And now I know why,” she says. “He was hiding the fact that he almostkissed you!”
“And hasn’t mentioned it since.”
She groans as her elbows hit the table.
“And we made it full circle to my previous statement, guys suck.”
“Yes, they do,” Maia agrees. “Girls' night tonight? I’m off at five.”
“Yeah, we can do it at my place,” Brinley adds. “Since your place is off-limits.”
“What about the game?”
“I already told Declan I wouldn’t be there.” she says, “He won’t miss me.”
“Does it have to do with Jaxon being an asshole?” I wonder.
“I’ve just been trying to avoid him since the party.”
“Something you didn’t bring up to me for two weeks either, so I guess we’re even.” I cross my arms.
“Two very different situations,” she argues. “He had his tongue down some other girl’s throat while my brother almost had his tongue down yours!”
“I regret telling you this, either of you.”
“If you didn’t tell us, how could we help you plan your declaration of love?” Maia wonders, and I almost forgot that I told her I’d bring up the kiss at tomorrow’s game.
“Declaration of love?” Brinley smiles. “Tell me more.”
“You two will be the death of me,” I say, shaking my head, trying to drown out the idea of Declan having feelings for me.
That’s one place I won’t let my mind get to. Not when my heart is already there.
sixteen
Declan
