“I’ll get that.”
But I’m stubborn and feeling a little passive-aggressive. “No, it’s okay. I can pay for my own.”
He searches my face with a frown. “Just put it down. I’ll pay for it.”
I grip it tighter and draw it closer to my chest. “No thanks. I’m good.”
“Dacen.”
I glance off to the side and sigh again. “Do you pay for Evan’s lunch, too?” Contrition passes over his features when I face him. “Tyler’s? Roman’s?” The displeasure is evident in the crease between his brows and how tightly his lips are pressed together. “Now go ahead, you’re holding up the line.” His nostrils flare and the set of his jaw is severe. He turns and pays for his food, then stands there mutely while I pay for mine. Roman’s eagle-eyes observe us silently as we walk over to their usual table and set our things down, then sit on the bench seat beside Tyler and across from him and Evan.
“Did I miss a memo? Is itNational Take Pity on a Loser Daytoday or something?” Roman grins deviously and gives me a once-over when I narrow my eyes. I’m about to sass back but Ryne speaks first.
“I don’t want to hear any shit, not one thing. Just eat your fucking lunch, Lennox,” he snaps. “You too, Kennedy.” He glares over at them and Evan holds his hands up defensively.
I feel a little twinge of sympathy for Evan because he didn’t even say anything. Ryne’s extra grouchy now and his friends are getting the brunt of it. I refuse to feel guilty though. It’s not my fault Ryne has the emotional intelligence of a rock. I catch Evan’s eye and he winks at me. It doesn’t escape Ryne’s notice, and he looks back and forth between the two of us with a frown. I look down and unwrap my sandwich.
“Oh, God,” Roman groans. “There’s more of them. Make it stop.” Ryne kicks him under the table as Evie and Noah take a seat beside me. “Dude, I don’t wanna play footsie with you. That’s what the guy next to you is for.”
My cheeks heat and I focus on my lunch and chatting with Noah and Evie. Noah leans in close to Evie, who sits between us, and whispers. “Anyone else feeling the weird vibes or is it just me?” Evie shrugs and I nod solemnly. “I’m assuming he asked you to eat lunch with him since we’re sitting here instead of him joining us at our table?”
“Basically, yeah.”
Evie turns to me and frowns. “What’s wrong, Dacen?” Her question is also a whisper.
I shake my head and turn back to my food. “It’s nothing.” She frowns again but lets it go for now. My phone lights up and when I unlock it I’ve got a text from Tyler, of all people.
TYLER: Glad to see u here.
I smile lightly and text him back.
ME: Thanks.
TYLER: Why’s moody boy so grouchy? Is the stick up his ass extra sharp today or what?
That makes me laugh out loud which draws Ryne’s attention.
“What’s so funny?”
I quickly respond to Tyler and then flip my phone over and set it face down on the table. “Just a funny text.”
A few seconds later Tyler snorts quietly. He looks past Ryne and over to me with a grin, phone in hand. His eyes shift to Ryne, and all I see is the back of Ryne’s head but from the way, Tyler’s expression deepens and Ryne’s neck muscles tighten, I can just imagine the silent exchange going on. He really is a moody bastard sometimes. I chuckle to myself and get back to eating.
A little while later Roman props his feet up on the bench seat across from him, which means they’re right next to me. I shove them down. “Keep your grimy feet away from me.” He props his feet up again and smirks at me over the table. Once again I shove his feet, then brush my bag off and pull out my planner to make sure it’s unharmed.
“What’s the matter, Pecker? You afraid I messed up your planner?”
Evan reaches over and grabs it.
“Dude.” Ryne levels Evan with another glare. “If you fuck around with that planneronemore time…”
Roman grabs it from him and flips through it.
“Can you not put your hands all over that, please?” I cringe and pray their hands aren’t greasy from lunch.
“Aww, don’t worry. I won’t get it messy.”
I take a large bite of my sandwich and chew angrily, scowling at him all the while. “What are you even looking for, Roman?” The question bursts out of me as soon as I finish chewing and wipe my mouth.
