Page 12 of The Tip-Off
“Oh please, I’ll be fine. Work, sleep, catch up on Netflix.”
Blair looks unconvinced.
“Don’t worry about me. Go have fun and promise to drunk dial me at least once.”
“Deal.” She smooths a hand over my comforter, tracing the beaded flower design. “You know who else will be here this week?”
“Who?”
“Zeke!” she says with far too much excitement.
“Yeah, speaking of, could you guys have not found someone else to be my date last night?”
Blair frowns. “I thought you liked Zeke.”
“He’s okay,” I lie easily. “But he’s not into me like that and last night was humiliating the way you guys forced him to be my date. God, I’m the most pathetic college junior ever.”
“Stop it. You are not. And no one made Zeke be your date. He’s a good guy, but I’ve never known him to do anything just because someone told him to. I think he likes you.”
Sweet Blair, always the optimist and ever since she met Wes, a hopeless romantic. “I think you’ve fallen down the love tunnel.” I smack her lightly on the forehead.
Blair squeezes my hand and gives me a reassuring smile. “Are you okay?”
I hate that she can read me so well. I don’t want to be upset at Zeke’s rejection, but I just can’t help it. There were moments last night that I thought we clicked. On the plus side, it won’t be hard to avoid seeing him while everyone is gone. It isn’t like he’s going to come looking for me.
“I’m fine. Just cranky. I’m going to shower.” I squeeze her tightly. I have no idea what I’m going to do without her this week. She’s my lifeline. My person. “I love you. Be careful down there.”
“Yes, Mom.” She rolls her eyes. We separate and she goes back to inspecting the piles of clothes on the bed as I duck into the bathroom.
5
Zeke
I’m getting backfrom a late workout when the guys are loading up for their trip. “Sure you won’t come with us?” Wes asks. “One last spring break vacation together.”
“Nah, I’ve got a full week of an empty house, empty weight room, and empty court – that’s my dream vacation.”
Nathan steps next to me and shoves his hands in his short pockets. “Not entirely empty, bro.”
“You’re staying?”
Wes chuckles, making me realize I did shit to hide the disappointment in my tone. It’s not that I don’t like Nathan, I was just excited for a week of no distractions.
“I don’t have the cash to blow.”
I know full well Joel wouldn’t let him pay for anything if he went, but I get not wanting to be a charity case.
“He’s just sticking around to hang with Gabby,” Wes adds, earning a smack on the arm from his girlfriend.
Nathan’s smile is on the embarrassed side, but he doesn’t deny it, just shakes his head and heads toward the house.
“I think it’s sweet he doesn’t want her to be here by herself,” Blair says after he’s gone. “She’s still adjusting, and I don’t think she likes being alone.”
Maybe it’s my own guilt for the way last night went down, but Blair’s gaze seems to bore into me as she provides the last bit of information on her best friend.
“Let’s load up,” Joel calls out. He’s wearing Ray-Bans and a vacation smile.
Blair hangs back as the rest of the group gets in the car.
