Page 238 of We Shouldn't Be Together
An egg roll falls onto my lap, and oil and crumbs stick to my temple.
“That’s for messing with Tabitha,” Drew says as his arm retracts.
“Dude,“ Freddy hisses. “Not cool.”
“If you weren’t so concerned over how Dad was feeling yesterday,” Drew tells his brother, “you would’ve noticed how broken Tabitha was.”
Freddy sits back in his chair. “What are you talking about?”
I dust off the side of my face and lean forward. “Yeah. What are you talking about?”
Drew glares at me. “You made my sister feel like crap.”
My hands fly up, indignant. “How? When?”
“Drew, Tabby is into Kai,” Freddy says, not following along.
“Exactly,” Drew replies. “And he wasn’t treating her the same way.”
I wince and squint my eyes closed, trying to help this make sense. “What planet are you on? I’m sitting through dinner with her family. We’ve made things official. What are you not getting?”
“Maybe the fact you put another girl’s needs before hers.”
Freddy’s face falls, and he turns to me with a look that says he’s no longer on my side.
“What girl?” My head is spinning. “You don’t mean Jamie, do you?”
“Didn't you tell Tabitha that you’d break up with her if Jamie didn’t like her?” Drew accuses.
I grunt in disgust. “No way in hell.”
“Jamie?” Freddy questions. “I’ve seen Tabby bend over backwards, trying to talk to that girl. What else do you expect her to do, Kai?”
“Nothing.” I huff, my arms hanging at my sides. “I know how much Tabby has tried. That’s why Jamie and I are fighting.”
“So, she’s not moving into your house anymore?” Drew questions.
“What?” Freddy’s mouth hangs open. “What the heck, Kai?”
Drew tilts his head at Freddy. “Did you really pay zero attention to Tabby yesterday?”
“Clearly,” Freddy responds. “Who knew you were the doting brother?”
Drew rolls his eyes. “I care.” His gaze is fixed on me. “Do you?”
“I’m here,” I defend.
“And?” Freddy and Drew say at once.
“I care about her,” I say firmly. “I like her. I really like her.”
“Umm,” Tabby’s voice falters, returning to the table and staring at all of us. “What’s going on here?”
41
“WhattheheckdidI just walk in on?” I ask, staring at the three of them seated around the table.
“I wasn’t gonna say anything in front of Dad,” Drew says, “but I had to let the guy have it.”
