“C’mere,” he says gruffly.
I let him trail his hand down my arm, his fingers slipping through mine like they belong there. Like I don’t have a dozen secrets I should be worried about.
The jingle of keys snaps me back to reality.
I let go of his hand like it’s on fire as a woman with long blond hair walks through the front door. Her green hospital scrubs are wrinkled, her face bright with surprise when she notices me.
“Well, well,” she says with a knowing smile, setting her purse down. “What do we have here? My son has a girl over? A real girl?”
Chase shrugs it off like nothing can rattle him. “Don’t scare her off, Mom.”
She snorts softly before turning to me. “I’m Georgia, Chase’s mom.”
I awkwardly introduce myself. “I’m Ryan. I, uh, go to school with Chase.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ryan.” Georgia’s eyes twinkle, and I knowsheknows exactly why I came over.
“Um, same.” I edge toward freedom. “Anyway, I’ve gotta go. See you tomorrow, Chase.”
Cheeks flaming, I practically run out of the house. A glance over my shoulder shows Chase watching me, amused. His text appears when I’m sliding into the truck.
Chase:Coward.
Me:I was NOT prepared to meet your mother today, Hedlund.
Chase:Grow some balls, Shipley.
I send a middle finger emoji in response, then drive home, where I go to my room and do homework.
A loud thump against the wall jolts me, and then I hear Connor’s voice, low but angry. I can’t make out the words, but he sounds tense. A minute later, another muffled shout, and then…silence.
I turn back to my assignment, hoping whatever storm is brewing has passed, when Connor suddenly throws my door open and marches in, his face flushed with frustration.
“You and me, Valentine’s Day dance,” he announces, hands on his hips like it’s already a done deal.
I blink. “Uh…no, I’m not going to that.”
“Come on, Ry. Please.”
“No. I hate dances. Besides, I thought you were going with Sam.”
Connor sits on the edge of Jasmine’s bed and rubs his hands over his stubble-covered jaw. “He’s working. By choice.” Irritation flashes in his eyes. “He took an extra shift without even asking me.”
“Aw, I’m sorry. That sucks.”
“So you’ll go?”
“Nope.”
“Please?” he presses. “Do me this one solid, okay? Everyone else will be there with someone, and I’m not about to sit in the corner like a loser.”
“So slow-dancing with your cousin is what’s going to boost your status?” I crack.
“Come on, it’ll be fun.”
“No, it won’t. I’ll just be awkward.”
“You won’t be awkward,” he promises. “C’mon, think of it as a favor for your favorite cousin.”
