Page 43 of The Ruckup
15
Sushi, Snark, and Secrets
Maddie
I’M NOT SURE how I feel about this. I know I could probably stand to hang out with more people my age, but it makes me nervous. I don’t worry about Sylvia or Sharon or Betty judging me.
These girls might.
“It’s going to be good.” Leo reaches across the console to rest a hand on my knee, giving it a squeeze. “You already know Alexis. And her friends are all just like she is.” His brow furrows. “Mostly.”
I… Don’t know how to take that.
I do know Alexis. She’s serious with a dry sense of humor I’ve always appreciated. And she’s always been nice. But now that I’m the wedge between her brother and their parents, I’m not sure how she feels about me.
Probably not too great.
My stomach clenches as Leo brings his Charger to a stop in front of a gorgeous house. I stare out the window, eyes getting wider and wider as I take it in.
The place is stunning. Modern and sleek and definitely expensive as hell.
“Whose house did you say this is?” I already felt like I was going to be the odd girl out, but seeing the kind of home one of Alexis’s friends owns has me rethinking coming here tonight.
“This is Hazel’s place. Pretty nice, huh?”
Leo doesn’t seem to understand the issue I’m having. The insecurities barreling to the forefront as they try to take me down.
“It’s for sure nicer than my apartment.”
I was so proud of my little place when I first moved in. So excited to have something all my own. Even when I knew it would take a while to furnish it, I still stood a little straighter knowing I was making it by myself.
But this…
This is a very different sort of making it. The sort I will probably never achieve.
“Your apartment is awesome.” Leo leans toward me, his voice soft as he reaches to catch my chin with one finger. “Hey.”
I swallow, not wanting to look at him. Not wanting Leo to see this ugly bit of me. The bit that fears what other people will think. The bit that can’t stop comparing myself to everyone else, looking for all the ways I’m lacking.
“Look at me, Miss Miller.” Leo’s tone is still gentle, but now it’s firm. Not a request, but a demand.
I have to force my eyes to his face, but when they land, I’m shocked to see him grinning.
“These women are a lot like your other friend group.” His expression turns serious. “But if you tell them that, they’ll kill me, so maybe keep it to yourself.”
For some reason, that… makes me feel a little better. I’ve always felt like the odd girl out. I’ve never been outgoing enough to insert myself into a conversation or confident enough to approach a group in the hope they might accept me into their fold.
But I didn’t have to do either of those things with Sylvia, Betty, and Sharon. They just sucked me right in and claimed me as one of their own. I’m sure that’s not what will happen with these women, but as long as they’re nice to me, that will be good enough.
I pull in a deep breath and blow it back out. “Here goes nothing, I guess.”
Opening the door, I step out into the cool air, tightly gripping the bottle of wine I brought. I’m surprised when I look up and see Leo rounding the front of his car. “I thought you were just dropping me off?”
“I am.” He comes up to press a kiss to my forehead. “Did you think I was just gonna kick you out the door and drive away?” He tips his head. “Because I feel like you should know me better than that.”
“I do, but…” I don’t know how to explain the difficulty I’m having wrapping my head around the possibility Leo really is the way he presents himself. It’s crazy, because I believe him. I know he is who he is.
But there’s still a little part of me that keeps whisperingwhat if it’s a trick?
