Page 18 of How We Loved

“With who?” My question comes out harsher than I meant, so I take a breath, trying to dial it back a bit, when Dalton looks at me with his eyebrows slightly raised.

I try to act like I didn’t see his reaction and turn my attention back to the game as Maya begins to tell her story.

“It was with Trevor, the guy I met at the football game.”

“He called you that fast?” I ask, trying to act nonchalant, keeping my focus on the game.

“Yes. I like that he wasn’t trying to play games. We went to the pumpkin patch in Springstown.”

“Is he from there?”

“Yep. I don’t know why I never thought about looking for guys in another town. It was kind of nice, getting to know someone outside of here.”

All I can think to say is, Because then I can’t gauge the guys to make sure they’re good enough for you, but I keep it to myself.

“Are you going to see him again?” Natalie asks with a big grin on her face.

“It went really well, so I hope so.”

I stay quiet and focus on the game as Maya and Natalie continue to talk about her little date. Maybe it was nicer without Natalie coming here. I definitely don’t need to hear all the girl talk between the two of them, especially about Maya’s date.

The longer they talk, the more irritated I get. I know she’s a very happy person, but she’s being so over the top, even for Maya. Hearing her talk about how cute he is and how they held hands is one thing, but when she says he kissed her, I know I’ve had enough.

I slide her over, then stand with a huff. “Hey, Dalton. Want to play a round of pool?”

He chuckles under his breath as he stands. “Sure, I’ll break, so you don’t take anything out on the cue ball.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I look at him in question.

He shakes his head. “Nothing, man.”

The door slides open, and Eli, Marcus, and his girlfriend, Ashley, along with her friend Susie, walk in.

Thank God other people are here, so we can stop focusing so much on Maya’s date and get back to some type of normalcy.

CHAPTER SIX

Maya

When I get home from Ben’s place, tired and just wanting to crawl in bed, my phone dings with a text message from Trevor.

Are you home?

Butterflies fill my stomach just at the sight of his name on my phone. I lick my lips as I reply.

I just got home.

I wait for his response, thinking he’ll text back, and am surprised when my phone rings with him calling.

“Hi,” I say, barely above a whisper, feeling very shy all of a sudden.

Texting gave me time to think of my responses. Talking on the phone puts a lot of pressure on me to not sound stupid.

“Hey,” he says in a breathy response. “I hope you don’t mind me calling. I just wanted to hear your voice.”

I blush at his comment. “Yeah, I’m glad you called.”

“How was your day?”

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