Page 67

“Bullshit,” Jimenez said, shaking his head. “You wanna stay lonely, man, that’s fine. Don’t want to be in a relationship? Cool. But don’t feed us, and yourself, some bullshit excuse like that.” His eyes drilled into mine, daring me to argue, but my lips stayed sealed. “The relationship is fake. Fire Graciella and Itzel if that’s what’s keeping you from her, but that excuse sounds like bullshit, too.”

“I don’t even know if I like Graciella like that,” I lied, studying the prospects doing burpees.

Thatcher’s hand landed on my shoulder. “Listen man, you do what you feel is right. But, coming from personal experience, fighting for the girl is worth it.”

Fuck.

TWENTY-ONE

MONROE

“EDGING IS CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT, MARIE.”—@NICOLEJANAREADS

Trouble:

I’m coming over.

Me:

It’s a school night.

Trouble:

It’s summer…

Trouble:

I’ll see you at 7

Me:

I should just make you a key at this point since you insist on imposing yourself on me.

Trouble:

That would have been a perfect opportunity to use this emoji:

Trouble:

And no need. I found your hide-a-key already

Me:

Graciella! What the fuck

Trouble:

WTF*

Trouble:

I’ll let myself in

Me:

Bring your laundry…

I stared at the damn photo she’d sent in response to my last text longer than I’d like to admit. Her smile was so wide that the corners of her mouth nearly touched her ears. Eyes teemed with mischief. There, dangling from her fingers next to her face, popping against the dark background of her hair, was my gold spare key.