Page 76 of Can’t Say No

“Noah is her older brother. All-star football player, got drafted in the second round nearly a decade ago, but he never quite seemed to live up to the hype. Kinda fell off the face of the earth after their parents died.”

“Bit of a tool if you ask me,” Wells grunts. “He was in my graduating class at Ridgecrest and we ran in similar circles. Kid was always a magnet for trouble.”

Caroline makes her way back to our table with Vic hot on her heels, both laughing and carrying on. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think it was just a normal night out, not a memorial of sorts.

Caroline has a steady strength that I admire. I know from talking to the students that her science classes are always over the top and that she pours her all into her work.

“Okay, well since this whole night is because of my sad and tragic life,” Caroline says with a giggle, “I’m picking karaoke songs for each of you and you can’t say no.”

“No arguments from me.” I say, excitement starting to build in my chest. “This might come as a surprise, but I’ve never done karaoke.”

“Oh, you mean to tell us the girl who didn’t have a normal adolescence hasn’t done a lot of normal people things?” Connor deadpans. “We’re all shocked.”

“Yeah,” Wells says, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “Nothing could have prepared me for this piece of information.”

I roll my eyes despite the warm comfort of being known that settles somewhere deep. This ragtag group has quickly become some of my best friends. With them, it’s easy to be myself. They don’t give two shits about social climbing or making connections or reputations. And God it is refreshing.

Vic plops a faded three-ring binder down on the table and taps the cover.

“Holler for me when you decide my fate,” she shouts as she heads back to the bar. “I’ll get Marcus to cover for me for a minute.”

Caroline treats the old binder of songs with dramatic reverence, analyzing each song title carefully. Connor catches my eye from across the table and pins me with that smile of his that I love so much.

“Wanna play a round of pool? This is gonna take a while.”

Connor inclines his head towards Caroline, who flips him the bird without taking her eyes off the faded pages.

“We can add this to the list of new experiences,” I say as he takes my hand and leads me to the pool tables. “Because I don’t know the first thing about playing pool.”

Connor grabs two cues off the wall and leans against the table.

“I know the basics, but I’m no shark by any means. Mostly I just wanted you to myself.” He hooks a finger through my belt loops and pulls me to his chest, thumbs drawing lazy circles on the sensitive skin right above my jeans. “You're coming home with me tonight, right?”

A carefree laugh bubbles out.

“Of course. Nowhere else I’d rather be.”

I snake a hand up his chest to cup the back of his head and revel in the truth of that statement. I’d take this, pressed up against Connor in a dingy dive bar while bad karaoke blares through the speakers, over an exclusive club or fancy restaurant any day. Nothing could hold a candle to this.

“Can I tell you a secret?” I whisper-shout over the music into his ear.

“Lemme guess… you’ve never gone bowling? Never played laser tag?” Connor dramatically pushes me away. “Oh my God. Are you a putt-putt golf virgin?”

I laugh again, easy and free.

“Correct on all accounts, but that’s not the secret.”

He pulls me in close again, kissing the top of my head.

“What is it, Lanie Lou?”

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve been doing what’s been expected of me. Sometimes kicking and screaming, but I’ve done it nonetheless. And I know that our relationship started out as just another obligation, but…” I pause, chancing a glance at Connor.

His eyes never leave mine.

“But it’s become something so much bigger than that. You make me feel like I can be myself, with no expectations.” Emotion catches in my throat. “I am becoming the person I want to be because of you.” I can barely speak the words that my heart has known for a long time.

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”