Page 29 of Missed Steps
“It was a good while back.” Tommy shrugs, and I can tell from his expression that he’s uncomfortable. “Sorry, Kyle. I didn’t mean to hide it. I worried that you’d be upset if you found out, and Louis had only just joined our friend group at the time, too.”
“I wouldn’t have treated him badly about that,” I say with a frown.
“The same way you wouldn’t push your crush on the ground and tell him to fuck a horse?”
“Stopbringing up that story; it’s one of the worst ones.”
“Oh, I have several more stories far worse than—”
“Lalala, shut up,” I mutter. I glance across the hall once more to Louis’s slim figure. He’s always been bright and buoyant, and I’ve always really enjoyed talking to him, but there was something about his extroverted manner that also put me on edge. If Louis wanted to gossip, people would stop and listen, and that has always scared me a bit. “So he’s safe?” I murmur to myself.
Tommy’s head cocks to the side, his teasing grin slipping into a frown. “What do you mean?”
“Ah, no. Nothing. Nothing.”
“Kyle—”
“I didn’t mean anything.”
“Okay. I got it. But, if anyone ever gives you a hard time, you have me, alright?” Tommy says seriously. “And Louis will have your back in a hot second, too.”
I rub the back of my neck, heat prickling over my skin. “I got it,” I say. And Tommy is merciful; he doesn’t try to dig for more. I let out a long breath.
“So long as you know.” Tommy shrugs, casually. “Do you remember during basketball when you went up to Mark and—”
“I’m going to ask him out,” I say, before Tommy can bring up more terrible, terrible memories. Honestly, it’s a miracle that Mark even looks at me after everything over the last few years. If someone told me the person driving that car had been Mark, getting revenge, I wouldn’t be surprised. “Or I was thinking about it. Now that you’ve reminded me how awful I’ve been to him, I don’t think it’s a good idea anymore.”
“Go for it,” Tommy says without hesitation. “Even if he turns you down, it’s worth it to put yourself out there. You’ll wonder about it forever if you never ask, and years down the line, you’ll regret holding back. I never asked my kindergarten crush out, and to this day I wonder if I would have been married had I done it.” Tommy finishes with an encouraging smile.
Across the hall, Louis picks up his tray. The idea of him and Mark hooking up just doesn’t fit. “Who came on to who?” I ask, unable to help myself. “Mark?”
“I didn’t ask.”
“I bet it was Mark. He’s so bossy, and he’s—”
I catch Tommy’sdon’t make me discuss Mark’s sex lifelook and shut my mouth. I return to the conversation. “You don’t think I’m misreading it? I’m scared I’m seeing interest when really it’s just pity. Nobody’s a dick to the person who lost a leg.”
I don’t get to hear Tommy’s answer. Louis and Bethany return together with trays packed for lunch. I’m staring hard at Louis, analysing his face as he sits down. He catches me looking and smiles. “I’m glad we’re allowed to talk again,” he says happily. “I was so bored in accounting without you. Were the audio files I sent you okay for the lectures? I sat up front to be closer to the professor.”
“They were great, Louis. Thanks.”
Bethany catches my eye next and smiles. “Glad I’m not having to draw straws to pick who I can invite to my parties on the weekend now.”
“I still don’t understand why you were fighting,” Louis says honestly. He looks between me and Tommy, waiting for one of us to answer.
“Because I’m a dick,” Tommy replies, scowling.
I turn to him, surprised at the upset note in his voice. He doesn’t meet my eyes, and Bethany casts him a long, appraising look.
“O—kay.” Louis blinks.
Someone steps up to the table, looming over us. I glance up and meet Eddie’s eyes as he stares right at me. From his expression, I worry he’s about to throw a punch. I haven’t even done anything to deserve one. I think. Not recently, anyway.
He just stares at me.
“What?” I ask. My voice comes out as ifIam about to hithim.
Eddie grimaces before he sighs, looking at me like I’m disgusting. “There’s a house party at my place next weekend. You’re invited.” Absurdly, he’s addressingmeas he says it.
