That didn’t help at all. I closed my eyes. “I’ve got to go, Mom. I’m at a park taking pictures.”
She hummed. “All right. Well, I love you. Whatever you decide.”
“Thanks,” I muttered. “Love you too.”
I hung up and stared at my phone.
A text from Avery popped up.
Avery: Good morning, Mr. Sexy Broody Man. Don’t forget the dinner is tonight with everyone at my place :) You should stay over after. Mateo too . . .
I’ll be there ;)
I wanted to soak up every second I could with her and Mateobefore Monday.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Avery
Today was a test on how good I was at keeping secrets.
I didn’t feel that good, to be honest. Sick, even. I wished dinner with my brothers and best friends was something I could call in sick for, but it wasn’t. They’d all show up at my doorstep and insist we watch a movie, just to keep me company—because that’s how much they loved me. Germs be damned, we were having dinner together.
There was no escaping it. The whole reason our group was doing this was because of my falling out with my mom.
A text came through from our new group chat, titled:
Why NOT make a new chat?
Austin: I’m bringing BBQ
Evie: I thought we agreed on sandwiches
Austin: BBQ goes on sandwiches
Evie: it doesn’t because we all know you mean you got potato salad
Austin: hey now
Evie: Am I wrong?
Mateo: You’re not wrong, I saw the potato salad in his fridge
Dallas: I got bread and lettuce for like turkey sandwiches . . .
June: I made enchiladas
Evie: Dammit, June LOL
Mateo: we can all bring whatever we want and it’ll be great. Maybe missing some things like veggies, but great regardless
Dallas: hey, I said I got lettuce
Austin: I don’t think that counts, tbh
Levi: Do all of you always text this much?
I snorted and tossed my phone down on my bed, studying myself in the mirror. I’d picked out a sleeveless lavender eyelet dress with a denim shirt tied at my waist. I folded the sleeves up my arm and rolled my shoulders, wondering if I was really going to be able to act like I wasn’t completely in love with Levi and Mateo.
