It felt weird to think of River that way, since we’d known each other for ages. But my clumsy attempt to kiss Miller Stratton out of my system had backfired in the best possible way. I went to soccer practice feeling better than I had in days.
My phone vibrated with a text as I walked to the field. Shiloh.
Amber told me that she and Miller broke up.
My heart seized up all over again. OK. When?
A few days ago. Right after the bonfire.
I stared at the text. Days ago. But no word from him since.
She sent another. Did something happen with u2 that night?
I hadn’t told Shiloh we kissed. She’d be pissed off at both of us and defensive of her friend. And she’d be right on both counts. I had no idea what to say. Or even think. My silence prompted a phone call.
“Hey, Shi.”
“You okay?” she asked.
“I’ve been better.”
“Look, I wasn’t going to tell you this since I fucking hate gossip, but the way you’ve been lately, I think you need to hear it. All of it.”
My hand clutched the phone. “There’s more?”
“Yes.” She inhaled. “Amber told me she realized that ‘All I’ll Ever Want’ was written for you.”
“For me…”
The words washed over me, and a small breath pushed out of my open mouth. I felt warm all over. Light. The lyrics swam in my mind, their beauty taking on a new meaning. Sinking deeper into my heart.
Because they’re for me.
“I think I knew,” I murmured. “I think I always knew. But I was so insistent on sticking to my plans…”
“I’d say I told you so,” Shiloh said, “but I’m a bigger person than that.”
I laughed. Elation filled me like warm air for a few precious seconds, and then reality brought me crashing to the ground.
“Oh my God,” I said, my hand over my mouth that still stung from my blundering kisses with River. “We can’t get it right. Not ever.”
“What’s that?” Shiloh asked. “I can’t hear you.”
“The pendulum goes back and forth. We’re never in sync. Ever.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I kissed River,” I said. “I kissed River, and we’re going to the Prom together.”
“Oh Christ.” Shiloh hissed air out of her nose. “Are you two back on?”
“No, the kiss was a disaster. We’re just going as friends.”
“Okay. That’s not…ideal but talk to Miller. You two are long overdue—Wait. He hasn’t called you yet?”
“No.”
“Maybe he just needs time. Or wants to give Amber time.”