Page 79 of Heartbeat

I want to know where you are

I’m at Ethan’s. What’s #2?

Fuck, are you guys boyfriends or what?

Is that the second thing?

No

Then fuck off

I want a party

Throw a party

I can’t throw a party. I have three friends

Invite them

Ethan chuckled.

I want you to throw a party and invite Kim

I don’t know Kim

She’s friends with Marcy

NO

Yes

Mom will never agree to this

Good thing they’re going to the lake again this weekend

No

Throw a party, invite your friends, and have Marcy invite Kim

“I’m going to go over there and strangle him,” I said.

“No, don’t!” Ethan laughed.

“You don’t know what he’s asking me to do.”

“If it means you get to stay…” He said it in a way that was obvious he was trying to be cute, and I hated myself for being absolutely powerless against it.

Those fucking dimples.

Fine

A costume party

“That’s it!” I said, trying to sit up.

Ethan put an open palm over my stomach, preventing me. “I’ll help.”

“You’ll help?” I turned to him.