Page 5 of People Like Us

“Who’s your tutor?” he asked.

“August-something,” I said, scanning the crowd in the parking lot. “I was supposed to meet him out here, but I don’t know what he drives.”

“Here.” Andy turned, gesturing to his shoulders. “Get on.”

I did as he said, and wrapped my legs, tighter than necessary, around his neck. He laughed, pinching my thigh as he lifted me above all the cars. I looked around for a moment before I finally spotted August at the end of the lot. He was leaning on the trunk of a pastel purple sedan.

“There!” I said, pointing toward the bottom of the lot.

Andy asked, mockingly, “Shall the noble steed giveth thy queen a ride to her destination?”

“Indeed,” I said in my best impression of someone royal.

Andy bellowed over the crowd in a tone two octaves lower than his normal voice: “Make way, Queen Lola coming through.” Some people laughed, others scowled.

When we reached August’s car, I pushed my heel into his chest, tugging gently at his dark blonde hair. “Halt, noble steed.”

Andy seemed to look August over, who was staring up at me like I had just blown out his birthday candles.

“Good sir, are you August, knower of science?” Andy bellowed, keeping up the charade.

August hesitated to answer before drawing out the word, “Yes.” Like it was a question.

Andy nodded astutely. “Then I present to you, the Queen.” He made a sound with his mouth that sounded like a trumpet. I couldn’t hold back my laughter as his large hands came up to support my hips, and he bent forward, lifting me off his shoulders and placing me on the ground like I weighed nothing. The difference in height was a bit disorienting.

I smiled widely as August looked between Andy and I like we were jesters instead. Heat rose in my cheeks under his attention.

A long pause hovered between us before Andy spoke. “I’m Andy, Lola’s boyfriend.”

“I know,” August said flatly. Then added, “We have English together. Fourth period.”

Andy snapped his fingers in recognition. “Right,” he amended, though I could tell he still had no idea who August was.

When August didn’t say anything else, Andy inevitably filled the silence. “Well, I’ve got to go to practice. You’ll take good care of my girl, yeah?” he asked, and I wasn’t really sure if it was meant to be a joke or endearing.

August’s eyes didn’t leave mine as he said, “I’m pretty sure she can take care of herself.”

Andy laughed, then pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I’ll call you tonight, alright babe?”

“Alright,” I said, but he was already making his way back up the lot.

When I turned back to August, he had a wide smile across his face. It was almost startling to see on someone who was almost always scowling.

“What?” I asked warily.

“He’s cute,” he said, a bitter sweetness lacing his tone. “What breed is he?”

“Golden retriever,” I said easily. “Leash trained and everything.” I winked, and August’s faux smile faltered.

“Where do you want to do this?” I asked, not giving him the chance to hit me with another sarcastic remark.

“I don’t live far,” he said. “Unless you’d rather go to your place.”

The idea of August—or really anyone I had to face on a daily basis—being in my home was my actual nightmare, but I pretended to consider it. “I’m on the other side of town,” I said finally.

He nodded and pulled out his phone. “I’ll text you my address,” he said before handing the device to me. I punched in my number and handed it back to him. My own phone vibrated a second later, his address displayed on the screen.

Chapter Two