“He hasn’t so much as laid a finger on me! And why do you care?”
I swallowed hard. My heart was racing.
Just tell her how you feel, Jeff. Take a risk. Pull her into your arms and kiss her.
“I care because you’re making yourself look like a fool flirting with him.”
Tears filled her eyes, and I wanted to take back the hurtful words I didn’t mean. Jealousy was driving me fucking mad, and I was taking it out on her.
She shook her head, and I nearly died when I saw her lower lip tremble.
“Ari, I didn’t mean to say that.”
It was like I slapped her in the face and brought her back from the brink of tears. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.
“I’m not your goddamn girlfriend. I’m just Squirt, your little sister’s best friend.”
“Ari.”
She took a step closer and leaned in to me as she smiled. Fuck, that smile of hers was my weakness. She placed her hands on my shoulders and reached up, causing me to lean down to her. Her mouth went to the side of my head, next to my ear.
“It’s a shame you’re such a spineless prick. We could have finally had some fun tonight, but it turns out, you’re not my type.”
And like that, she was gone. Leaving me to stand there with her words rattling around in my mind.
We could have finally had some fun tonight . . .
My hands started to sweat at the thought of Ari and me together in any sort of way. Had she been planning on making a move on me tonight? What did she mean?
I wanted to run after her and demand she tell me. Instead, I did the spineless prick thing I normally did when I didn’t want to face something.
Brought in a distraction.
Reaching for my phone, I pulled up Rebecca’s number.
“Hey! Fancy you calling me.”
“I’m having a graduation party for my little sister tonight at my place. If you and a few friends want to stop by, that would be great. Ellie wants to see what a college party is like.”
“How cute. Of course I’ll stop by and bring a friend or two.”
Instantly I regretted calling her. Nothing good was going to come out of Rebecca and her bitch friends being there, but it was too late. I’d already done the deed; there was no backing out now.
“Come anytime after seven.”
I hung up the phone, not even bothering to say goodbye.
Spineless prick indeed.
Chapter Twenty-Seven – Gu
nner
Jeff had left earlier today to attend Ellie’s graduation while I stayed behind to make sure everything was ready to go for the party tonight. He’d sent me a text that he was on his way home.
Jack was finishing getting everything set up and walked into the house. “All right, dude. I got all my stuff together and ready to go. I’m going to go and grab some food. What time do you want me back here?”
With his backpack tossed over his shoulder, he waited for my reply.