Page 116 of Crew
I shrugged, pushing in the last rack of dishes. "I thought Manny's and this was it, but it's not. Heather and Channing started paying me, so I'm assuming the judge declined their request to have this count as community service. I gotta start doing it, whatever it is, within six months. Why?"
"Taz is still asking about the charity thing."
"Are you serious? Still? I thought that would've been done. She said end of September. That was months ago."
"She said they're doing one for the summer. She wants you to help with the planning." His eyes softened. "It's an idea. You're not stuck picking up trash or mowing lawns. Plus, you can push the whole thing where you're socializing with people who aren't your crew. They said that was a concern--that you only spend time with us and no one else."
Everyone else sucked. No one else mattered.
The machine beeped that it was done, and I opened it. "Maybe. I think Channing's lawyer has to ask the judge for approval, but I'll mention it."
He nodded. "She's been asking about you, you know."
"The judge?" I reached for the last rack, pulling it out.
I could feel Cross' eye roll behind me. "You know who."
Yeah. I did. A whole twisty thing happened with my stomach. What was that? Guilt? What should I feel guilty about with Taz?
I stood staring at the glasses, letting them air-dry a bit longer. "How's she been doing?"
"Worried about you." He reached over and hooked another stool with his toe, dragging it closer to prop his leg on.
"Make yourself comfortable."
He smirked. "Always." He grew serious again. "She wants to see you."
I already knew that. I'd been getting emails from her every other week. I got emails from Sunday Barnes too, and Monica even--awkward. But they weren't alone. Alex Ryerson had reached out, apologizing for the fiftieth time. That was an exaggeration, but he needed to keep after it. It wasn't his fault I'd stabbed Principal Neeon, but it had been the third time I'd felt accosted by him. Enough was enough. I didn't need to stab him too. A few of his crew had gotten in touch with me, not apologizing for him, but just saying hello. It was their way of asking how I was without it being awkward. It was the crew way.
I'd ignored everyone. I ignored Alex and his crew because I was still angry, and because Channing had said to leave them alone. They were going to be dealt with. I ignored everyone else because... I didn't know what to say. I didn't understand why Monica and Sunday were contacting me in the first place. They hated me. But Taz. Yeah, Taz.
I needed to go see her, but I couldn't make myself. Which was unlike me.
"Are you actually thinking about hanging out with Taz?" Cross leaned forward.
"What?" I scowled, starting to stack the glasses now. "That's stupid. No."
"Why's that stupid?"
I swung around to him. "Since when have you ever wanted me and your sister to be friends?"
Cross' smile faded, and he brought his leg down from the stool.
I held my breath, feeling the air in the room shift. It'd gone from comfortable to something more, something hot, something uncomfortable, something... I felt my stomach doing all sorts of flips once again.
"I've never not wanted you and Taz to be close."
I looked at him again, raising my eyebrows high--and ignoring all the weird shit inside me. "Cross, come on."
"Come on what?"
"Every time I'm at your house, you start glaring when your sister comes around. You've been doing it since we became friends." I shook my head. "You didn't like it when I hung out with her. You can't act differently now."
He leaned back so his head rested against the wall again. "Yeah. Maybe I did that."
There was no maybe. It was a definite yes. He did it.
"I was being selfish." His eyes held mine. "I just wanted you for myself, okay? I was an ass."
