Page 70 of We Shouldn't Be Together
“Oh my gosh!” Yvie squeals, lifting her phone. “It’s a new text from Zane!”
Yvie hasn’t stopped gushing since we met up this morning. Things between her and Zane have heated up quickly. They hung out last night after his football game, and then they made out in the back of his truck. They’ve been flirting for a while, and now Yvie’s locked him down.
As for me, I can’t believe I was texting with Kai Nelson last night. I mean, it was only about that silly assignment, but still. We weren’t calling each other names. That is, if you don’t count me calling him a nerd. But that was harmless teasing. If I liked him, I’d even call it flirting.
But I don’t like him.
Not in the slightest.
I just like that he cares about finishing our assignment.
It benefits both of us, and he wants it to happen. I just like that, okay? Gosh, why do I need to work so hard to convince myself of that? Maybe it’s because we’ve spent all morning talking about boys. During the countless times Yvie has read aloud her text exchange with Zane, so many feelings have bubbled up for me. Granted, my texts with Kai are barely amicable, whereas Yvie and Zane are too hot to handle. But merely texting with a guy gives me tingles in new and exciting ways.
Yvie’s had too many boyfriends to count, and Cammy has tried to make it work with two different guys. But it’s never happened for me. I do everything I can to look as pretty as they do, sound as flirty as they do, act as touchy as they do, but none of it works. The three of us shared a dream of dating football players, and I’m the only one who’s failed.
Sadly, texts from my somewhat hostile lab partner are my only thrill.
Unintentionally, I remember the tender way Kai held my wrist at the Jasmine Garden Chinese Restaurant. How the concern colored his hazel eyes when he asked who was hurting me. He cared.
He had to care.
He couldn’t have faked that.
Why would he care? He could have easily doubled down on the hate.
But he took back the hate.
Hmm. I wonder if he’ll text me again?
My phone vibrates in my back pocket, and my breath hitches in my throat. My heart pulsates with a frazzled beat. Is that him?
My fingers tremble as I reach behind and pluck my phone from my back pocket. As I pull my phone around to face me, I take a settling breath.
With one quick check, my heart rate plummets.
It’s a text from Mom. I open it with immediate regret."I don’t want you spending all day with the girls,"she texts."I want a good report from Mrs. Field when I get in touch with her this week. You should be home studying."
“Oh my gosh, Mom,” I grizzle aloud at my phone. “It’s Saturday. Lay off.”
Cammy laughs, running the iron through Yvie’s hair. “Are you talking about your mom, or mine?”
“Ugh. No, mine is driving me nuts,” I reply. “She’s obsessed with keeping in contact with Mrs. Field.”
“I think Mrs. Field sending my mom that email was one of the best things to ever happen,” Cammy says.
I scoff at her. “How so?”
Cammy’s grin is nearing Cheshire-levels. “She’s been using it to lure my dad over to the house. You know, so they can speak about their problem daughter.”
Yvie jerks in her seat. “Are you okay with being used like that?”
“Uh, yeah,” Cammy says, like it’s obvious. “Duh. We use every chance we get to save Dad from that horrible woman.”
As Cammy continues to rant about her new step-mom’s terrible qualities, an idea strikes me. If Mom’s on my case about the chemistry assignment, it gives me the perfect excuse to text Kai.
I open to his messages, and my thumb hovers over the keypad. It’s just a quick text. It won’t hurt. He probably won’t even reply. It’s not like he’ll care.
I start typing and then halt halfway through.
