Page 82 of Every Hidden Truth

“Maybe we could play together.”

I barked a sarcastic laugh. “Yeah, we can rock aChopsticksduet.”

The hallway bustled with parents and students alike, and Esther scooted even closer to avoid getting bumped. I slipped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed the top of her arm.

“Well, if you ever do want to play together, there’s a piano at my house,” she said.

I laughed. “You really don’t want to hear me play the piano. Trust me.”

“Just ask your mom to teach you again.”

The joking mood plummeted, and it was my turn to chuckle bitterly. “Well, I haven’t seen her in six years, so chances for piano lessons are pretty slim.”

“Oh.” She leaned into my side, lending me comfort. “Sorry.”

“Shit happens,” I dismissed, relieved when Ronnie’s obnoxiously tall frame lumbered down the corridor in our direction. “There they are.”

Ben shoved Ronnie aside, his smile wide as he wrapped his arms around me and lifted me off my feet. “I’ve never gotten that high of a score before! Did you see?”

“No, I didn’t. I was too busy checking out all the other half-naked guys in Speedos,” I sassed as he spun in a circle. “Of course, I saw, you idiot. You did amazing!”

He kissed me square on the mouth. “I couldn’t find you, at first. I thought you didn’t come.”

“I said I would. You think I’d stand you up?”

“Of course not.” Our foreheads met, and his eyes splashed with delight. “I’m just glad you came.”

I pecked his mouth and winked. “Well, I’m very glad I could grace you with my presence.”

“Smartass.” With his arm around my shoulders, he addressed Ronnie and Esther. “You guys wanna go by the drive-in?”

“Better than Troy’s after-party,” Ronnie harrumphed. “We’ll meet you guys there. I’ll let Julian know.”

I twined my fingers with the hand hanging over my shoulder. “Do you have to take the bus back?”

He nodded. “My car’s at the school.”

I snorted when he missed my forehead and landed a sloppy kiss on my eye. “I’ll drop you by the school to get your car.”

“You don’t mind?”

I scrunched up my face in confusion. “Why would I mind?”

He grinned and shrugged. “The drive-in’s close to your house. I’ll follow you there in my car, then take us to the drive-in.”

That didn’t make sense.

“Or I can just meet you there. Why the extra driving?”

He bit his bottom lip and mumbled, “I just like driving with you. But you’re right, it’s stupid.”

“It’s not stupid. It’s... cutesy.” He glared, but I kissed him anyway. “I’ll wait at my house for you, and you can pick me up like we’re going on a date.”

“I owe you a lot of dates, don’t I?” he mumbled against my mouth.

“You don’t owe me anything. We do fun stuff together and hang out all the time. Those are dates.”

As we walked outside, the winter air chilled my lungs, and Ben scowled. “But we’ve never gone on a legitimate date! I’m a terrible boyfriend.”

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