“Let’s get out of here,” she says, irritation rolling off her like fog.
“Is Oren—” Jonathan begins to ask.
“No,” she cuts him off sharply.“He’s going toLivvy’s.Guess she’s having an after-party.Tempted everyone with a keg.”
“We’re leaving too.”I try to soothe her.“I’m not offended or anything.”I’m being honest.My parties are alcohol-free.But I still saw a few flasks being tipped into cups tonight.It’s harder to get away with it with their parents upstairs, so if they reallyneedto drink, then Livvy’s after-party is perfect for them.I’m leaving with the people I care about.That’s all that matters to me.
“It’s not the point,” Danika says with a huff, walking with us to the short valet line.“He should want to be with me.Every other second of my life, he doesn’t give me an inch of space.But tonight’s my best friend’s birthday.I wanted him to be a part of this.Andnowhe decides he doesn’t want to interrupt my girltime.”
Jonathan looks as confused as I am.Danika recognizes our expressions.“I know!I tried telling him.Whatever.Why do I even put up with his shit?”
I wrap my arm, lost in billows of white chiffon, around her black-vinyl-covered waist and rest my head on her shoulder.She leans her head against mine.“I’m sorry,” she says.“I don’t want to ruin your birthday with my drama.I’ll be excited again by the time we get to your house.”
Jonathan offers a small smile.“Guys can be dumbasses.Especially when it comes to girls.”
I smile back.“How do you know?”
“Because I can be that dumbass.”I release a surprised laugh.He quirks one side of his mouth up in an abashed smile.“I’m learning.”
“I’ll give you CliffsNotes so you don’t screw it up with our girl,” Danika tells him, squeezing me around the shoulders.“Like… how to use a phone.”
I pull back and gawk at Danika.Jonathan laughs, which shocks me.
“Yeah.I’m sorry about that.”
I swallow.
“Give me the ticket,” Danika demands She plucks it from between Jonathan’s fingers when he offers it to her.Danika walks directly toward the valet she winked at earlier, cutting the line.
“I realize I’m not great with calling,” Jonathan confesses.“Or answering.”
I don’t say anything.What could I possibly say?Yeah.You suck at it.And my heart pays every time.
“I really am sorry.I hate disappointing you.But avoiding hearing it in your voice won’t make it better.”
“Maybe stop disappointing her,” Darcy chirps from behind him.I glance around his arm and see Jaz putting a hand over Darcy’s mouth with a startled look of apology.
“That was unexpectedly honest,” I say to Jonathan—inspired by Darcy’s lack of filter.
“Isn’t that what tonight’s all about?I just… got a head start.”He pulls me into his arms.“I’ll do better.”
Istare into my brother’s blueeyes, certain I don’t want to hear anything he has to say.I pull the heavy faux-fur blanket tighter around me and nestle into the circular couch surrounding the crackling firepit Magda prepared for our arrival.
The rest of my friends are inside, waiting their turn to gift me theirbirthday truth.My brother insisted on being first.That’s not a surprise.He’s had to be first at everything since the day he was born.
For my eleventh birthday, Bridget and Melanie—my friends at the time—and I played Truth or Dare.Then it became Three Truths and a Lie with Jaz and Darcy our freshman year.Only Collin and Jonathan have been here for every iteration.
The last two birthdays, it’s become Just Truth.A secret only I get to hear.They choose to volunteer a truth, or I can ask a question.It’s their birthday gift to me.Danika joining our group last year was the best present.She thinks we should confess all together to allow the truth to bond us.I’m not ready to be that vulnerable.The guys aren’t either.
“I want to tell you a truth,” Gavin says, shifting his eyes away from me.He’s nervous.Very much not like my brother.I wait, practically holding my breath.He glances up.“I miss being here.Being away at college is harder than I thought it’d be.”
I search his face, knowing he’s skirting the real truth.He sighs dramatically.
“Fine.I missyou, okay?”He says it like it’s a tortured confession.But… he’s not lying.I can read him pretty well.I’ve had a lifetime of practice.
“Why?You always hated being around me when you lived here.”
“It wasn’t always like that,” he says.It’s true.There were times when we were both in middle school when we’d have marathon movie nights, our stomachs aching from too much candy and popcorn.And others when he’d force his way into playing with me and the boys in the backyard despite my protests.We had… fun.It feels so long ago.Too long.
