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“And miss this epic moment in all of our lives? Hell to the fuck no.”
“You really don’t have to come,” I tell him.
Mav slides into the passenger seat. “Like you’re getting off that easy. Besides, I’m available. After that date-night fiasco, I called things off with Carly. I don’t want her to think it’s going to turn into something when it’s not. I don’t need the clinginess or the headache, especially with this being my last year.”
“But you’ve still been out somewhere. So who have you been seeing if it’s not Carly?”
“Just some chick. She’s not into the party scene, though, so it’s easier to keep it low-key.”
The late-night breakfast place is ridiculously busy. It’s midnight, and although it’s not a weekend, this is still a popular hangout for the underage crowd who don’t have fake IDs and can’t do the bar scene yet, or those who don’t like it. I happen to fit into the latter of those categories. I prefer my own home, or Mav’s, and screw everyone else. Mav is the social one who likes all the people around.
At least three of his previous “girlfriends” can be found at various tables in the restaurant. Interestingly, despite the fact that he has a constant rotation of girls, he always seems to be on good terms with them.
I spot BJ sprawled across a booth in the back corner of the restaurant, the tops of two blonde heads barely visible on the opposing bench. My palms sweat as we make our way through the tables, Mav pausing every five seconds to say hi to someone. I don’t bother acknowledging anyone, because the only person I really care about seeing should be with BJ and the twins. My heart rate picks up and my palms go damp when I finally reach the table. It’s one of those round booths that’s meant to seat six or more, and Lavender is sitting at the end, sipping on some kind of smoothie.
“Hey.”
All four sets of eyes shift my way as I slide in beside Lavender.
She tips her head back so she can meet my gaze. Her expression is somewhere between amusement and low-level mortification. She whispers hi.
I don’t think it could possibly get more uncomfortable until Mav drops down across from me and kicks me in the shin. Likely on purpose.
“The fuck?” I shoot him a glare.
He props his chin on his clasped hands and smiles like a lunatic. “Look at how awkward you two are. This is awesome.”
Lavender slurps her smoothie loudly and turns her sharp gaze on her brother. “This is your one and only opportunity to be a dick about this, so make it good.”
Mav’s grin widens. “I’m not being a dick. I’m just being honest. You’re like a couple of eighth graders trying not to make eye contact for too long. You’re not even touching.” He motions to the inch or two of space between us. “Kody is halfway out of the booth, and he looks like he’s going to shit his pants. You look like you’re trying to snuggle with Lacey.”
“You’re all staring at us like we’re some kind of circus act,” Lavender says. “What did you think was going to happen? Heart bubbles were going to magically appear over our heads?”
“Kinda, yeah. I mean, this storm has been brewing since this guy could get a boner.” Mav points at me.
Lavender holds up her hand. “Stop right there. We are not having a conversation about Kodiak’s boners in the middle of this diner. In fact, we are never having a conversation about Kodiak’s boners, because you’re my brother and there are some goddamn lines that should never be crossed.”
“You’re really intent on sucking the fun right out of this for me, aren’t you?” Mav sighs. “So Kody never told me what you did that finally pushed him over the edge.”
“Maybe I figured my shit out. Did you ever think of that?” I shoot back.
BJ snorts, and so does Lavender.
I give her the side-eye. “Whose side are you on?”
“My own.”
The server comes and takes our order. It’s a guy, and he keeps looking at Lavender, so I slide my arm across the back of the seat, trace an infinity symbol on her shoulder, and don’t bother to drop it after he leaves.
“Look at you, being all territorial.” Mav is still grinning. “You know, I figured that whole thong thing would’ve done it, and then Lav freaking moved out.”
“Wait, you know about the thong?” Lavender’s eyes are extra wide, and she glances from Mav to me and back again.
“Everyone knows about that. Mom called me the day after to ask a bunch of questions I sure as hell didn’t want to answer,” Mav replies.
“What kind of questions?” Lavender asks.
“The kind I tried to wipe from my memory forever.” He shakes his head. “And don’t look so surprised. She’s got these freaking fake social media accounts set up, and she thinks she’s being sly about it, but we all know it’s her. She uses stock photography from cheap sites I’ve seen a million times.”
