Page 35 of Before We're More Than Friends
The live music boomed in my ears as I strolled behind Kami, hands in my pockets. “Oliver never told us that was the event of the semester.”
Kami pushed me in front of her. “Come on, social butterfly. It’s just the high school version of a city carnival.”
“You’re right about the city part.” A gust of wind blew by, and I zipped my jacket up. “Are you sure we’ll be able to find Oliver? And even then, will I actually get a chance to hang out with you guys, or will I be the third wheel?”
“I’d never put you in the position of a third wheel.” Kami patted my back.
“I don’t know. You were really into him on Tuesday and have probably been texting him all week.”
“Doesn’t mean that I have.” Her dark eyes traveled aroundthe area before her lips formed a sultry smile. “Hey, there he is!” She brushed her ponytail back. “Oh, and that Hayden guy.”
I rolled my eyes. “If you think you’re being smooth, you aren’t.”
She shrugged. “Hayden’s hot, but he isn’t my type.”
I jabbed her in the arm. “You don’t need to jump into a new relationship right away.”
Kami stopped walking and faced me, frowning. “What do you mean?”
“You should let yourself heal after things ended badly with?—”
She held up her hand. “It’s over, Dallas. I’ll never see him again.”
“But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt.”
“It will.” She rubbed my back. “Don’t worry about me. I know what I’m doing.”
I sighed. It would never be the right time to talk about this. “You know I’m going to worry about you the way you worry about me.”
Kami sighed before yanking me over to where Oliver and Hayden were standing, very close to the stage. “Hey, guys!” I could barely hear her over the band butchering a One Direction song.
Oliver turned around and beamed at Kami. “Hey.” His smile went to me. Even outside of the shelter walls, he still kept that award-winning grin on his face. “I’m so glad you guys made it. Welcome to your first Saturn Frenzy.”
Hayden turned around, his braids swaying with him. “Well, talk about a small world.” A grin broke out on his face. “I didn’t know you guys were the new volunteers Oliver was talking about until he told us your names.”
Warmth filled my cheeks at the idea that they had been talking about us. “I didn’t know you and Oliver were friends.”
“Oh, we go way back.” Hayden wrapped his arm around Oliver, who was around half a foot taller than him. “Been solid since sixth grade.”
“I’m going to get myself a drink,” Kami said. “Be back in a bit.” She winked at Oliver before sashaying away.
“Sheesh, I didn’t know I was that boring.” Hayden put a hand to his chest. “Oliver, I’m not a fan of your new girlfriend.”
“Shut up,” Oliver muttered. “Maybe she’s actually thirsty.”
“For you.”
Oliver whacked him on the head.
I laughed. “I think she was just hoping to be alone with Oliver tonight.”
“Poor girl.” Hayden shook his head. “Oliver may be a flirt, but he’s deeply afraid of falling in love. Elementary schoolers stay in relationships longer than he does.”
“I’mnotafraid of falling in love!” Oliver put his hands on his hips before facing me. “I’m sorry. Hayden forgets that he can’t be annoying in front of new people.” He shot a glare at Hayden. “And for the record, I’m the only one of the three of us who’s never had a chaotic breakup.”
“Because you’ve never made it long enough for the relationship to be chaotic.” Hayden rolled his eyes, but he shifted away from Oliver. “We just met Dallas, and he’s already getting dragged into our tragic love lives.”
“And who’s the one oversharing here?”
