Page 121 of Under the Influence

“Here,” she smiles, holding it out to me.

The logical part of my brain knows it’s just a hoodie, and it doesn’t mean anything that she had it, but the other part of me wants her to keep it. Like it means something.

“Thanks,” I say, taking it from her. “We’re having a Halloween party this weekend at my house, and I want you to come.”

“Will Nash be there?” she asks, playing with the ends of her hair.

“He has to work, but we could hang out.”

“As friends?” she asks.

Every time she says that word, it breaks me. Friends don’t look at each other the way we do, and they don’t almost kiss in the dark on the porch either. She might have feelings for Nash, but she has them for me, too. Whether she wants to or not, she does. I can see it.

I’m not that dense.

“Yes, Cori. As friends.”

“Okay,” she smiles. “Count me there.”

And just like that, I am hoodie-rich and friend-zoned.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-SIX

LAINEY

Some things just don’t have simple explanations.

That’s what I keep telling myself as I sift through my texts from Dray.

Drayton

Did I do something wrong?

Is this about the other night?

Lainey, please talk to me. Is this about Nash?

I set the phone down on my bed, my mind swirling. I don’t want to hurt him, so I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Nash quiet.

I hear footsteps outside my bedroom door, followed by a pounding fist. I almost expected to hear “Open up, Police,” until my mother walks in.

“The school called me, Alaina. You skipped the last two classes today. I thought we had an understanding,” she snaps.

“I didn’t feel good.”

“Do not lie to me. Your father is going to be furious. You are going to blow any chance you have at a scholarship.”

I sigh, “Stop acting like you and my father are going to communicate. We both know that’s bullshit.”

“You’re grounded, Alaina. You go to school and back, that’s it. I’ll drive you myself.”

I think about arguing with her, but then I remember that being grounded might not be such a bad thing. Especially when you are trying to avoid people.

“Fine.”

“Fine?” She pulls her eyebrows together, confused.