Page 28 of Under the Influence

She really is.

Madden walks up to Cori and Lainey, escorting them to his car. “Guess she likes Madden?” I note, but it’s more of a question.

Nash clenches his fists at his side, although I’m not sure he even realizes he’s doing it. “That’s funny because Madden was really cozy with your girlfriend this weekend, from what I remember.”

“Before or after you shoved her?”

His eyes find the ground, “I’m sorry, man. I didn’t mean to hurt her, and I don’t know.” He stammers, “I thought she was someone else.”

I raise my voice, “And that makes it okay? What the hell is the matter with you? Ever since Cori Clark walked into the cafeteria on Friday, you’ve been on some kind of warpath.”

Nash just completely shuts down, opening the door of my truck, “Let’s go get the stuff for our video.”

I shift my truck into drive and head in the direction of Home Depot. It seems like every red light is catching us, so I press my luck and decide to try and talk to Nash.

“So, is there something I should know?”

He taps his phone screen, trying not to make it too obvious that he’s ignoring me.

“Nash!” I bark. “If something is wrong, just tell me. I don’t like you being all broody and upset, I need the normal you back.”

“Nothing is wrong.”

He can’t even look me in the eye.

“You’re lying,” I snap. “Is it your mom? Your dad?”

He snaps, slamming his palm against the dash. “Damn it, Carson, would you just leave it alone. It’s everything! You don’t understand because everything in your life is so perfect! The perfect family, the perfect girl, the perfect game!”

I very forcefully yank my truck off the road, slamming the brakes and putting the truck into park.

“Are you kidding me right now? Are you that damn blind, Nash? I’m struggling too. I’m basically trapped with Avery, afraid to hurt her by calling it off, and the pressure of the scouts this year is basically suffocating me! No eres el único que lidia con alguna mierda!”

You’re not the only one dealing with some shit!

He stills, surprised at my outburst. I don’t ever yell at him, or anyone really.

He laughs, “You dipped into the Spanish part of your brain. You’re pissed.”

I laugh, too, because it’s impossible to stay mad at him. “I just want to know what’s up with you. You’re my best friend.”

He drags his hands down his face, “Corinne Clark is the girl that I kissed that summer, the reason Jovie went crazy.”

My eyes go wide, “You kissed her cousin?”

“No, Carson! I basically fell in love with her, right there in your batting cage.”

Now it all makes sense. It explains why Jovie was so pissed back then and why she turned on Nash and leaked the tape. Instead of blaming Jovie, Nash blames Cori.

“Is that why you are so bitter? You think Cori is responsible for your dad leaving?” I sigh, “Tell me you know how messed up that is? The only person responsible for that is your mom.”

Nash growls, slamming his fist against the dash again, “I can’t even look at her!”

I sit and stare at the steering column for a second, remembering that he said he fell in love with her.

“You love her?”

“No. God, no.” He spits, “I want to forget her and all the pain that kiss has caused.”