Page 121 of The Perfect Spiral
She’s dressed in blue and white striped shorts, a yellow top, and white Converse. She looks hot, but then again, she always does.
Andy’s enjoying the attention, and Kyle pulls her in for a kiss. I roll my eyes and walk out the front door. So much for staying mad at him. We pile into the G-Wagon seven-seater so we can all fit in.
I slide into the very back where I usually sit, and the three boys sit in front of me. Andy will sit up front with Kyle, who will be driving. It gives me a lot more legroom for the ride home.
But then I hear the seats in front being pulled forward, and Tyler comes in to sit next to me.
Knox stands there, glaring at Tyler, making me uncomfortable. I avert my gaze back to Tyler, but before I can ask him a question, a familiar voice beats me to it.
“What are you doing, Tyler?” Knox grits out, a frown on his golden face. He always tans really well, which used to annoy me so much.
His blue eyes are striking in the summer, contrasting against his skin tone. Tonight, they’re crystal blue.
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m sitting back here with my teacher,” he smirks, looking at me. He places his arm around the back of my seat and smiles back over at Knox, ignoring the look he’s giving him.
Before Knox can say anything further, Brett pushes the seats forward and climbs into the car. Knox begrudgingly follows him and sits beside him.
The drive only takes fifteen minutes, with all of us singing along to the radio—except for some Debbie Downers up front—and we’re there.
We know it will take a bit longer on the way home because there will be a lot of people out by then.
There’s also a very high chance of me falling asleep in the back on the way home. That’s what Sonny’s food does to me every time I eat there.
Hopping out of the car, I walk up to the doors, only for them to be pulled back and opened by Knox, who places his hand on my back and guides me through the open door.
Keeping his hand there, I can feel the heat through my top. We see familiar faces in the restaurant and hear a squeal from behind the bar.
A tall blonde comes running over to us and hugs me. I hug her back. Nadine. She’s the owner’s daughter and a really close friend.
“Hey, Nads! So good to see you, doll!” I smile as she continues to hug me. “Oh my god! You actually came this time! Alex! I’ve missed you so much! I love your hair too! Damn, girl! Look who’s all grown up, you look hot!” she winks, pulling Kyle into a hug, making Andy glare at her.
She starts to talk to Kyle, and by the looks of it, Andy isn’t a happy camper right now. I better tell her, although it is kind of amusing to see. I walk over beside her and place my hand on her shoulder.
“Andy, you’ve nothing to worry about—”
“Nothing to worry about? Have you fucking seen this girl’s legs? She could be a supermodel! Kyle was with her, wasn’t he?”
“He was, wasn’t he! He still likes her, and she likes him. Fuck! Why does this keep happening—”
“Andy! Shut it for a second, will you! Let me explain! That’s Nadine, she’s the owner’s daughter—”
“Like who even— Wait, what? Did you just— She’s a— Wait— Okay, hang on, let me get my thoughts together! Did I hear you correctly?”
I nod at her dumbfounded expression. She’s wide-eyed, then it quickly turns to a smile on her face, and she grabs Kyle’s hand and leans into him.
He puts his arm around her, their hands still clasped, pulling her closer to him, and he smiles down at her. Andy is the queen of jumping to conclusions. Nadine escorts us to our booth that we always sit at when we’re here.
I find myself wedged between Tyler and Knox, their broad shoulders pressing against mine. Across the table, Andy is sandwiched between Kyle and Brett.
“Such a pity she doesn’t appreciate a good cucumber,” Brett quips, sending us into fits of laughter. Brett had always harbored feelings for Nadine, and when she came out, he was utterly bewildered.
We had to break it down for him gently. Let’s just say Brett isn’t the brightest bulb in the box.
I remember feeling sorry for him when we broke the news. I baked him a chocolate cake to help him drown his sorrows that night, and by the next day, he was back to his usual self.
I already know what I’m going to order—I’ve been craving a pepperoni and jalapeño pizza. We give our orders to Nadine, and then we all share a plate of their famous hot wings, eagerly anticipating the arrival of our food.
It’s as if we’ve been starved for days. Andy and I order cocktails while the boys each get a beer. We’re laughing and joking around, discussing college, work, and the upcoming summer, when I feel a hand slip onto my thigh.
