Page 68 of Fighting Spirit

“You promised not to be an ass.”

“I’m asking questions! I’m getting to know your new friend!”

In all their bickering, the thing my mind sticks to isyou promised. They talked about me? I picture Rowan laying down the ground rules for this road trip, telling Trevor not to embarrass him or say anything weird. Was he nervous about the two of us meeting? The thought warms my stomach in a way it absolutely should not.

“You know exactly what you’re doing.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“The fuck you don’t-”

“Hey,” I cut in, stopping them before this turns into a full-blown argument. “It’s not a big deal. Trevor’s not bothering me.”

“See.” Trevor smirks.

I frown over my shoulder. “But you’re bothering him, so maybe lay off a bit.”

His eyes widen, brows furrowing as he looks between me and Rowan. “Oh God.”

“What?” I ask.

“It’s happening.” He covers his eyes in affront. “I’m that weird third wheel where you’re basically my parents,” he groans, flopping to the side until he’s sprawled across all three back seats. “I’m your son!” The boot bag clatters to the floor amidst his dramatics.

“Can you get it together, man?” Rowan growls.

Tension creeps back into the car, and I can’t tell if Trevor is winding us up on purpose or if he just accidentally put his foot in his mouth. Does he know about what happened? Did Rowan say something to him? I imagine Rowan going home and telling his friend about the crazy girl who kissed him out of the blue.

“Sorry.” He has the sense to look suitably ashamed.

“Stop saying stupid shit, or I’ll leave you in the wilderness.” Rowan sighs.

I twist around again, wanting to change the subject. “Did you not want to come to the game?”

“He already had plans-”

“Absolutely not,” they answer at the same time.

I look between the two of them, waiting for someone to clarify.

“You couldn’t pay me to spend a day with Keith,” Trevor continues.

“Trev.” Rowan sighs as if they’ve had this conversation before.

“Who’s Keith?” I press.

“My dad.”

“A self-aggrandizing, patronizing fuck,” Trevor says matter of factly.

“Jesus.” Rowan looks like he’s ready to run the car off the road.

“Really?” I ask.

“You may not have noticed this, Ruth, but I’m a pretty awesome guy.” Trevor winks and somehow manages not to look like an asshole doing it. “If evenIcan’t get along with somebody, it says a whole lot more about them than me.”

“He’s really that bad?”

“Worse.”

---