“So, wanna come over tonight? The guys are ordering pizza. We could get a little more work done, or just…” I trail off. “Hang out.”
She’s already shaking her head.
“I can’t. I have stuff.”
“What kind of stuff?”
She shrugs. “Just stuff.”
“Sounds important.”
“Superimportant.”
“I really do have to go,” she says, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
“I’ll… look at the solar integration file later,” she says, already halfway to the door.
I stand too. “Cool. I’ll send you some notes.”
“Thanks.” She gives me a tight smile, then disappears down the hallway.
I stay frozen for a few seconds. The air feels colder without her in the room.
She pauses like she’s going to say something. Then nods. “Yeah. Sure.”
Then she turns and walks away.
I watch her go, the sleeves of my hoodie still too long on her arms. She didn’t even mention it. Like wearing it doesn’t mean that she’s mine.
I pack up slowly, replaying the entire hour in my head. Every tight smile. Every missed joke. Every time she flinched away from eye contact.
What the fuck is going on.
Freddie,Ethan, and I are sprawled on the living room floor trying to assemble a coffee table that didn't come with instructions, only vague trauma.
“Why the hell did you buy this off some random guy from Facebook?” I ask, glaring at a bolt that definitely doesn't belong anywhere.
Freddie shrugs. “It was ten bucks.”
“I'd pay twenty to not be doing this,” Ethan mutters, flipping the panel he's been holding upside down for the fourth time. “This thing has more pieces than my last situationship.”
“Speaking of situations,” Freddie says, not even bothering to look up. “Delilah's been… around less lately, huh?”
My head shoots toward him before I can stop it.
“It doesn't matter.”
Freddie blinks. “Okay, didn't expect that reaction.”
Ethan whistles low. “He's deep in it.”
“I'm not—” I start, but Ethan cuts in.
“She's great, man. But don't let yourself get fucked around. Women cannot be trusted. All we can trust is each other. The boys! Am I right?”
Nobody answers.
“She's not fucking me around,” I snap, “She's just… busy.”
