Page 40 of How We Loved

He rolls his eyes, and I watch as he walks back to the guys.

When Eli and I lock eyes, I get this feeling like he gets me more than the others. I know he’s seeing someone, but it’s obvious whoever it is doesn’t go to our school, as I haven’t seen him talk to anyone new and he’s on his phone all the freaking time. He must be dating someone from another town too. We’re twins like that, and I’m happy for him.

I grin his way, and he grins back, then turns to engage in his conversation with the guys.

The night progresses, and I realize just how much I don’t hang out with the other people at my school. Thank God Susie is here because she’s flying solo, too, so I spend the night with her, walking around and talking to other groups throughout the night.

“Where have you been all night?” Ben asks me when he approaches the group of girls I’m hanging out with.

“I’ve been here.” I smile sweetly like there’s nothing different with what I’m doing when, actually, it’s the first time I’ve ever ventured out at a party like this.

I’ve had a great time, so maybe I’ve been missing out all these years, just hanging out with Ben.

“Well, I’m getting ready to head out, so let’s go,” Ben says.

I’m having such a good time, and I’m not ready to leave, so I look at Susie. “Is it cool if I get a ride with you?”

Susie nods. “Sure.”

Ben stands there, confused. “But you came with me. I’m leaving. I’ll give you a ride home.”

“It’s okay. You can leave. I’ll be just fine.”

“But your dad knows you’re with me, and it’s my job to get you home safely.”

I pick up my phone and send a text to my dad, saying Ben is taking off and I’ll get a ride with Susie. He responds back, acknowledging my text, and I show Ben.

“You’re off the hook. Thank you though,” I say, then turn back to the group of girls, who are obviously just as perplexed about my conversation with Ben as he is.

Trevor was right though. I shouldn’t be posting pictures with Ben, and I shouldn’t be acting the same way we always have. Things are different, and I’m having a wonderful time, so maybe this is my next chapter of life. Ben can still be in it, but maybe he shouldn’t be the center of it anymore.

Ben

I asked the guys to all meet after school to shoot some hoops. I’m the first to arrive, so I stretch my legs and start warming up with some simple shots.

One at a time, Dalton, Marcus, and then Eli all arrive, ready to play some ball.

“Where’s Maya?” Dalton asks after a few minutes of shooting the ball around.

I take my shot, swishing it through the hoop. “No clue. She didn’t respond to my text.”

Dalton looks at me with his eyebrows scrunched together. “Huh?”

I take the rebound. “My thoughts exactly.” I shoot then turn to Dalton and Marcus. “Is she with Natalie or Ashley?”

“Nope. Sorry. Unless she’s helping at the ranch, she’s not with Natalie,” Dalton says.

“Ashley and Susie went somewhere together. I hadn’t heard Maya was going with them, but since they were going with Susie’s mom, I doubt it,” Marcus says.

Eli steals the ball from me and takes a shot. “She’s with that guy. I saw him pulling into her driveway when I drove by on the way here.”

“And you waited this long to tell me?”

He shrugs. “I was over there, getting my shoes on.” He grabs the ball and jumps back while taking another shot.

Of course Eli would be nonchalant about this or any conversation we have. The guy is more aloof than anyone I know.

“What’s the big deal about her dating him anyway?” he asks.

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