“Yeah, like I said,disgusting.” Rude. What did PG stand for? Don’t know but not pretty gross.
“Hate to bring up the unpleasantness,” Alicia said.
“What?” Lydia asked. “I don’t. Tell me and I’ll bring it up.” She looked less bitchy now that the prospect of bringing up something that might upset other people was on the table.
I rolled my eyes.
“On our last double date,” Alicia recalled. “Before the gay club in Fairview, we were here in town and you and Luke were pretending to date,” she reminded Lydia. “That’s why Ryan and Luke weren’t so obvious.”
We all frowned at the reminder.
“Oh, that actually is unpleasant,” Lydia said. Ha, even for her. Wasn’t a great thought for me either, but I focused on the part about it being bad for Lydia.
Alicia made a noise of agreement but said, “Never thought I’d miss those days.”
I gasped. “You too, bestie? Betrayal!” She was contractually obligated to love my love. Really, I had drawn up a contract! It was signed by a notary and everything… the notary was me but whatever.
“No, you guys are fine.” She held up a hand. “As long as—
“They’re just jealous, baby,” Luke said, not even waiting for her to finish speaking as he took my hand.
I focused on him instead of the salty girls. “Oh Genius, you are such a smartie.”
Our love was too pure and great for them. They could choke on it. Metaphorically. I did want new experiences, but the Heimlich wasn’t one of them.
“Thanks Lemon Drop,” Luke told me. His nickname was Genius and mine was Lemon Drop, but a lot of the time we just called each other babe and baby.
“The pet names,” Alicia finished with a sigh. “As long as the pet names don’t come out.”
What’s even better than being cute with Luke? Annoying others with our cuteness.
Luke clapped his hands together in front of him. “Okay, how are we doing teams?” Way to take charge, baby.
I opened my mouth to tell him that thought but my brain had other ideas. “This is a contest?” I wondered, my interest level going fromregulartoscaryjust like flipping an insane switch.
There was more to this than just throwing the thing at the other thing. Right, the computer kept score. Actually, my brain was right, that was more important.
“I’m going to win,” I announced. I meant it too. I wouldn’t let my total lack of skill and no comprehension of the game stop me.
“Do you wanna be with Alicia?” My boyfriend asked me. Only platonically. Wait.
“You don’t want to be on my team?” I put my hands on my hips but that didn’t feel stern enough while I was still sitting down. I stood up and put my hands on my hips forcefully, but then ow, I just basically punched myself. I still managed to give Luke a Look. I also rubbed my hips to soothe the sting.
“That felt like a scary question,” Luke wisely noticed. “And I don’t wanna fight, but you’ve never bowled before.” He held his hands up.
I kept giving him the Look.
“I would also like to win,” he said. “You’re not any go—"
“Good? Were you gonna say good?” I challenged. Having my hands on my hips wasn’t enough. Should I wave them in the air? Didn’t know if that was the message I wanted to express, didn’t even know what message that was. Who knows, that could strike the proper fear in his heart.
“I don’t wanna fight!” he exclaimed quickly before I could start flapping my arms. He already said that.
“Do you think just saying that you don’t want to fight makes up for not wanting me on your team?”
“Hoping so,” he said with a quick smile, trying to look all charming… it kinda worked. “But it doesn’t have anything to do with you.” He put a hand on my shoulder. “Just your total and complete lack of skill.” Luke winced, removing his hand before I could bite it off. “That didn’t help my case.”
“We’re on the same freaking team,” I informed him severely. “And you’re gonna like it.”
