Page 215 of We Shouldn't Be Together
“With no context.”
“It’s not my fault you took hours to respond.”
“I was with Tabitha.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I don’t need to justify myself. I have a car, Milo. I could have driven back to town to meet up with you guys.”
“Back to town? Where were you?”
“Nevermind that. I’m still pissed that I wasn’t given a head’s up.”
Milo screws up his face. “But you were. Jamie sent you the photo when we got there. This is entirely your fault.”
I groan and turn away from him. “You’re being such a butthead.”
I shut Milo’s bedroom door on my way out. Closing him in his bedroom is somewhat gratifying. It’d be more so if he didn’t love isolating himself. I crash on the couch and pick up my phone.
"Jamie and Milo spent the afternoon with Ash and his girlfriend. The world has gone topsy-turvy."
Tabitha texts back with,"Oh, now my world makes more sense."
I’m about to ask what she means when the three dots of her incoming trademark double message pop up.
"Mom got a message from Mrs. Fisher, who heads the society planning committee."she texts."The meeting has moved to Morton’s Café and we’re deciding if they should be the new caterers. I thought it was weird, considering no one from the society group goes there. Seems Ash’s girlfriend has some pull.
"Dang. Well, that’s cool for Jamie and her aunt."
There’s a longer pause before her next message comes through.
"Are you mad you were with me instead of hanging out with them?"Tabitha texts.
"Heck no! What happened when you got home? Did your parents go ballistic?"
"Mom refuses to pay for a new manicure. She’s calling it a learning experience."
"Ick."
"I know, right. Besides, she said Dad will want it to stay unpolished while it heals. So it proves Camila’s injury wasn’t that bad because she got her’s fixed within two days."
"Camila is so manipulative!Is your dad gunning for me?"
"I haven’t actually seen him yet.He’s having dinner with Freddy and his football coach. Maybe I can avoid him tonight."
"Good luck."
"Thanks. Maybe with some running water and then some ice, it won’t look so bad."
"Crossing my fingers."
***
The next day at school, I don’t see Jamie until lunch. It’s not that I was planning on ignoring her. Before school, Tabby said she had a craving for a smoothie, and who was I to say no? Anyone can read into the fact I didn’t offer Jamie a ride. Besides, her aunt can drive her to school, just like before I got my license.
In the cafeteria, Tabby and I share food from the same lunch tray. I really wish the boys weren’t sitting with us, because watching her dainty nibbles and listening to that song of a laugh makes me want to be the only thing touching her lips.
I steal her hand and inspect the bandage around her fingernail. “How’s it feeling?”
