Page 46 of Stroke of Fate

“Yes, no, ugh, I don’t know. He’s always making me feel bad for doing things that might not have the best consequences.”

“I can talk to him,” Macy offers.

“No, don’t. He’s your brother. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Wait, so are you two just friends or is there something going on?” I ask, not wanting to assume.

“God, no! We’re only friends,” Elsie says. “He’s Macy’sbrother.”

“Like I’d care if you were more than that.” Macy shrugs like the idea of her brother and Elsie together doesn’t faze her. “But I know he gets on your nerves more than anything.”

“Yeah, something like that,” Elsie mutters before her attention shifts to me. Her smile grows. “Enough about me. Let’s talk about Bear.”

“What about me?” I ask, rolling my bagel wrapper into a small ball.

“Let’s not pretend you didn’t go home with a certain hottie on Saturday night.” She wiggles her brows.

“Oh yes, spill on the whole Levi thing.” Macy chimes in, her eyes gleaming.

“There’s not much to say. Nothing happened.” I reply. “He dropped me off and went home.”

That’s how the beginning and end went, anyway. The middle, however, is something entirely too embarrassing to admit. So, I keep my mouth shut about it.

“That sucks.” Elsie frowns, clearly disappointed I don’t have any juicy details.

“I’m surprised because the chemistry between you two on the dance floor was sizzling.”

Heat spreads over my cheeks, and my eyes snap up to Macy. “You saw that?”

“Yeah, I think everyone around you did.” She laughs, then pats my hand when she sees my expression. “Don’t be embarrassed, it was hot.”

“Well, chemistry or not, he knew I had too much to drink, so he made it clear nothing would happen.” I shrug, the sting of rejection hitting me again.

“Really? Interesting.” Elsie muses. “Maybe the rumors are true after all.”

“What rumors?” Macy and I say at the same time.

“Well, fine, not rumors,” Elsie says sheepishly. “Just talk among friends. My biology partner, Quincy, and I were chatting because the physiology of a plant isn’t exactly thrilling. Anyway, she had a group project with him freshman year and said he was down-to-earth and sweet for a hot guy.”

I nearly choke on my drink, wincing as I force it down. The words out of Levi’s mouth Saturday night were anything but sweet. And the grip he had on my jaw? Borderline vulgar. But how it made me want him even more has me thinking I might be the problem.

Elsie leans in like she’s about to fill us in on a secret and whispers. “He was even polite to Sadie, who was part of the project.”

“Red-haired Sadie?” I ask, my bagel souring at the memory of how she was all over Levi at Static.

“That’s the one.” Elsie nods. “You know her?”

“Not really, but she has given me a few dirty looks, so I must have done something to piss her off,” I tell them, not particularly caring since I know I did nothing.

“She’s the biggest B-with-an-itch. Just ignore her,” Macy says, leaning back in her chair.

“I’m trying to. What’s been going on with you?” I ask, wanting the attention off me and anything Levi-related.

“Yes, please do share why you made us drink shots, which made us regret our life choices the next morning,” Elsie says, twirling a finger at her.

Macy swats Elsie’s hand away. “I didn’t make you do anything. You could have said no.”

“You know my willpower is zero when peer pressure is involved. And don’t change the subject.”

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