Page 79 of Just Friends Forever
Austin’s jaw drops. He stares. And stares and stares.
“He did it to try to make me feel better aboutmyhair,” Stevie explains.
“Like two questionable choices cancel each other out or something?” Austin says, his shock turning into amusement.
“I thought you wouldn’t be home for a while still,” I say, pulling my hood back on. I’m not trying to be rude. I just want to know what his plan is.
“I have the reunion at Sunset Heights. Remember?”
I swear in my head. I had completely forgotten, which is ironic given that the whole reason all those dumb posters are in his apartment is because of the reunion.
“They want a bunch of old videos, showing my path to success or something. I left my hard drive here, so I thought I’d go through them and work on a few songs while I’m here.”
Stevie looks a question at me.
“What?” Austin says, noting the exchange.
“I told Stevie she could use your apartment until we find her a place of her own,” I explain.
“I should have asked you personally,” Stevie says, “but I can totally sleep on Troy’s couch.”
“No, no,” Austin says. “I’ll take his couch. It’s totally cool. You should have your own space.”
“My own space that’s your apartment?”
He shrugs. “I could always crash with a friend instead. I don’t want to disrupt things here. My buddy Rex is in town.” He pulls out his phone like he’s about to text him.
“Rex Montgomery?” Stevie asks.
Austin’s gaze jumps to hers. “You know him?”
“I sat at the same table as him at an event last year, and we made friends.”
“Then you might know Lucas too?”
Stevie laughs. “Impossiblenotto know him.”
Not impossible. I don’t. Right now, they’re playing celebrity bingo, and I don’t even have a card.
Turns out Stevie and Austin have a lot in common. Not only do they run in similar circles, they can sympathize over life in the public eye and having a huge, obsessive fan base.
“So, you guys are just having a chill day?” Austin asks once they’ve finished the bingo game and both won.
“Yeah,” Stevie says. “I’ve gone out more in the past few days than I have in months, so we figured a little relaxation was called for.”
“Hey,” I say, tripping over the edge of Self-Sabotage Cliff that looks over Masochist Bay, “you guys should go out and catch up.”
They both stare at me, like it’s just occurred to them I’m still in the room.
“Stevie’s been trying to get her feet wet in the dating world again,” I explain. “You guys haven’t seen each other in a really long time.” I shrug. “Just an idea.”
It’s exactly what I need. My worst nightmare is materializing in front of me, and I see it for what it is: the final encounter with the villain. The chance to put an end to my feelings for good. If Stevie and Austin are going to date or end up together, I’d rather it happen sooner than later.
“Can I talk to you for a quick sec, Troy?” Austin asks, gesturing over his shoulder to indicate he wants privacy.
“Oh,” Stevie says. “I can go. I need to grab my water bottle and charger downstairs, actually. I’ll be back in a few.” She doesn’t give either of us the opportunity to protest, and the door shuts behind her a few seconds later.
“What’s up?” I say, setting the remote aside and standing up.
