For a while, no one speaks unless they’re asking for something to be passed. It’s a trap designed to lull me into a feeling of safety.
“Covey tells us that you don’t have summer plans yet.” I nearly drop my fork full of mashed potatoes. When she called earlier this week and casually inquired about our summer plans, I blew it off. It’s still November, and I haven’t even thought about summer yet. My lack of planning is about to come back to bite me in the ass.
“What?” Aidan is as confused as I am.
“He says you don’t have summer plans yet. Don’t you usually go somewhere?” My mom is not going to give up on this.
“Well, I haven’t gotten that far yet…” I give Aidan a grateful look. We still have some work to do in the getting-acquainted department.
“Maybe Covey can take you to Europe. He knows his way around pretty well at this point.” All that’s true, but I’m not sure it’s what Aidan has in mind.
“Don’t you and Silas already have that big camping trip planned?” Aidan’s mom asks.
I swear, six sets of eyes all turn slowly to look at Aidan. “It’s a hiking trip, but yes, we’re spending a week in Acadia National Park.”
I swallow hard, trying not to let the envy in my system get the best of me. Silas is his friend. They’re allowed to do stuff together—even weeklong trips to hang out together in a tent. Sleep next to each other at night, probably in nothing but their underwear, given how warm it will be. And that’s after a full day on the trails together, laughing and creating memories.
I could do all that, too. Except, I can’t. Hiking poses a significant risk of injury, and I can’t jeopardize my career. If I sprained an ankle, it could keep me from dancing for months, not to mention the amount of rehabilitation it would take.Plus, tents are not my style. I prefer cozy hotels, preferably with soaking tubs.
“Covey?”
“Yes?” Clearly, I’ve been lost in my jealous thoughts for a while. “Aidan’s trip? Right, I knew about that. I meant I didn’t know what we might do together.”
No one looks convinced. If I had a mirror, I’d be able to include myself in that statement.
“Well, don’t wait too long. I know summer stuff books up quickly.”
Is it wrong that I’m thinking of planning a vacation for the two of us? A little friends-with-benefits get away? Assuming we’re still doing that by then. We probably need to talk about this a bit more. Right now, neither of us can date anyone, so it’s convenient to hook up with one another. What happens in January? He might want to go back to being friends, that way, he can find someone else.
Suddenly, I’m not hungry anymore.
“Pass the turkey,” Uncle Paul says, which is a welcome distraction.I breathe a sigh of relief and catch Aidan’s eye. He mouthssorryat me. I’m not sure which part he’s apologizing for, but it doesn’t matter. I give him a smile that hopefully conveys that I don’t want him to worry. I fear what he gets is closer to a murderous clown.
Where’s a big distraction when you need one?
CHAPTER 16
AIDAN
Ineed to say something. The silence is killing me. I open my mouth, ready to lie my ass off about some big summer plans I have with Covey, but instead, all I hear is screaming.
It takes me a full second, mouth hanging open, to realize I’m not the one making the noise.
“Fucking fuck. That fucking hurts,” Marina screams.
“Language,” Covey’s aunt says from across the table.
“He cut off my fucking toe, so I’ll fucking scream if I fucking want to.” I cringe a bit at the outburst before getting out of my seat and moving around the table to assess the situation.
It’s not… good. The knife that’d been in the turkey is now sticking out of her shoe. There’s a bit of blood coming through the light blue fabric, but I suspect the shoe is holding most of it in. For now. Thank God for small favors.
“Yank it out,” Uncle Paul calls.
“No,” I say as calmly as possible. “Leave it in.” I take a few steps and put my hand on Marina’s shoulder. She winces, but doesn’t pull away. “If we take it out, it’ll bleed more.”
“What do you expect me to do? Walk around with a knife in my foot forever?”
I remind myself that she’s scared and in pain.
