Page 143 of Endless Anger
“He had other things to do,” I reply, my eyes widening. “And he’s not my boyfriend.”
Truthfully, we haven’t really talked about what weare, and I don’t want to be the needy one who brings it up, even though I desperately crave the label. Having things neatly blocked off makes my brain feel more relaxed, and whatever I have going on with Asher makes my heart happy but is also fucking with me mentally.
I suppose it’s that fear too. That he isn’t really helping his sister do anything tonight and has just taken off without me.
I’m trying to trust him, but old habits die hard, I guess.
“Ooh, scandalous.” Yuri grins, moving to sit back beside her companion. “Friends with bennies then? One-night stand?” She turns to the other girl. “Got any advice for her, Sara-Sofia?”
The girl runs her fingers through thick, luscious brown locks. “Please, like I need Curators reporting back to my very Catholic, Colombian parents that I’m sleeping around instead of focusing on my schoolwork. No thank you.”
“You could do both,” I suggest.
She gives me a wry smile. “Nah, too much work for me. I figure I’ll get my astronomy degree and let them marry me off one day. Easier for all of us.”
Cocking my head to the side, I try to place her in my mind but can’t. “You really don’t care about who they pair you with?”
“They love me, so I know they’d choose a good guy. Honestly, as long as he’s not a Curator, I think I’d be set.” Sara-Sofia shrugs. “Those guys areweird. Always speaking in Latin and talking about performing rituals to honor their ancestors. Like, this isNew Hampshire. Get a grip.”
“Death to Curators!” Yuri chants, thrusting her Solo cup in the air. I guess she’s already tipsy. Exhaling, she drops her arm and nods, leaning into Sara-Sofia. “They’re theworst. Can you believe they let that Tag kid drink himself to death? And he was so cute too.”
“No need to worry, ladies.” Foxe props his elbow on my head. “Plenty of cuteness to go around.”
Sara-Sofia snorts, going back to her phone in her lap and the vodka in her hand.
Yuri sizes Foxe up, pursing her lips. Then she looks at me. “I don’t see it.”
“See what?”
She points a finger between us. “This pair. You guys don’t have matching vibes. He’s sunshine, and you’remaybea new moon.”
“I’m so glad you made it out of your funk,” I mutter, shoving Foxe away.
“Our moms are cousins,” Foxe offers even though no one asked. He slings his hands into his jeans pockets, rocking back on his heels. “So we’re just friends.”
“And barely that.” Grabbing him by the sleeve of his jacket, I drag him away, waving at the two girls over my shoulder. Once we’re out of earshot, I push at his chest, sending him stumbling a bit.
He catches himself before tripping over a pile of loose rocks, offense coloring his face. “What the hell was that for?”
“Did you come to this party just to make things awkward with my friends?”
“Well, it would’ve been more awkward for you if she went on to assume we were dating. Unless…”
He pauses, narrowing his hazel eyes as he leans in, as if inspecting a new vehicle.
“Oh! Youwantthem to think that, don’t you? I mean, I’m sure my street cred won’t weigh as heavily around here as Asher’s, but I get it. We can pretend if you want?—”
Lifting my leg, I move to knee him in the balls; at the last second, he blocks the blow with his shin, howling with laughter as he ducks away from my reach.
“Holy shit,” he says, flipping his dark hair from his forehead. “Wait till I tell Asher that you just tried to assault me. He’ll be so fucking excited to know he’s really rubbing off on you.”
Gritting my teeth, I glance back at Willa and Eli, standing around a small bonfire where we left them. “What happened back there, by the way? My friends weren’t good enough for you to keep company?”
“Friends, huh?” He whistles low, looking at them over his shoulder.
I don’t know why, but him questioning that makes heat score across my face, shame billowing inside me.Is it wrong of me to consider them friends?
“They’re all right, I guess. The chick is a little obsessive though, and that Eli dude barely said three words to me the whole time. Besides, I came here to hang out withyou, Lulu. Aren’t you supposed to be scheming or something? Let me help!”
