Do you want to come with us?Lukas asks.
Go to New York with them? That feels a lot like something a boyfriend would suggest, not a guy who’s just a casual hookup. I immediately begin to decline, but pause when it occurs to me that this could be really good research for my class series. I may not get another chance like this.
Okay, sure. It’ll be a good opportunity to work on my article. I need to make sure they know I’m saying yes because of the work experience, not because of the weird non-relationship we have.
Awesome!texts Felix.We were nervous about asking you.
Well, that’s flattering. And I’m glad I’m not the only one who is uncertain about things.
But Felix isn’t done.Because you’ll have to miss class on Friday.
Wait, what? What did I just agree to?
We’ll pick you up Thursday night after our last class, Sebastian’s next message says.We’ll text you when we’re leaving. It’ll be a late night by the time we get there, but then at least we’re there and ready in the morning.
We’ll make sure to have you back on Sunday before your shift at the newspaper though. This is from Elliot.
I’m still focused on the leaving-on-Thursday-night part. The part where I’m going to have to skip my Friday classes because I’ll be out of town with them. I’ve never missed a class in my life unless I was violently ill—like stomach virus levels of sick. But now I’ve accidentally agreed to skip just to spend time with them.
I’m so glad you’re going to be there, Lukas tells me.This competition will be so much more fun with you in the audience watching us.
There’s no way I can back out without being the worst. I can skip my lit and history classes for one day.
I’m excited to come with you too, I text back.
I hit send before I realize what I just typed, and when it clicks for me I nearly collapse on top of the remains of my sandwich.
Come. With. You.
Well, I suppose if I spend the whole weekend with them again, it’s possible I’ll be able to cross that off the list. I mean, two whole nights? Something is bound to happen between us.
Chapter Fourteen
“I never thought I’d see the day,” says Ronnie, trotting ahead of me to hold open the front door to our dorm.
“It’s not a big deal.” I focus on not getting the wheels of my little suitcase caught on the bottom doorframe so I don’t have to look Ronnie in the eye. Because of course she’s right—this is a big deal. I just don’t want to make it a bigger one by talking about it.
“You’re the picture of a perfect student, and yet here you are, skipping a whole day of classes to go away for a long weekend with your multiple boyfriends,” Ronnie continues, not listening to me.
“They are not my boyfriends,” I correct, hushing her. I don’t need the guys walking up and overhearing Ronnie making comments about us dating when I’ve been so clear that that’s not what this is.
“I’m just saying, you’re doing a lot of things that look an awful like dating,” she points out. “Oooh! Are you going to meet their families?”
“No.” I can feel the blood drain out of my face. The thought hadn’t even occurred to me. Surely they’d have told me, though, if their families would be there. Right?
“Really? Because I’d think most parents would want to be at a competition to support their kid,” she says.
“Well, I’m sure the guys would have mentioned it if they were going to be there,” I counter.
“We’ll see,” she says knowingly.
I see them turn the corner and spin to face her. “Best behavior, here they come.”
“I have my embarrassing stories at the ready,” whispers Ronnie before turning her biggest smile on the guys as they come up the sidewalk.
“You didn’t have to come all the way up here,” I call out as they approach. “I was just going to meet you in the parking lot.”
“That wouldn’t have been polite.” Sebastian looks appalled at the idea.
