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Makayla
“Seriously, again?”
“Seriously, yourself. I’m just walking home.”
I roll my eyes. “Ride your bike home. You’re spoiling my peaceful walk.”
Ben tosses the football in the air and catches it, ignoring the unwanted vibes I’m giving off. “Nah. I’m good. Why do you walk home so late? Can’t someone pick you up?”
“Because I want to walk. Well, I did until you started ruining it for me.”
“Then get a ride. Maybe you’re ruiningmywalk home.”
I turn and stare him down, giving him ayou’ve got to be kidding melook. Shaking my head, I face forward and continue walking. I take my normal path, annoyed he doesn’t veer off and leave me alone. I hate that we’re getting closer to my house, and he’s lingering.
“Honestly, go away.”
“You go away.”
“I was walking here first!” God, he’s so frustrating! I stop at the end of my driveway, afraid our voices will carry, and my dad will hear.
“This you, duckling?” He nods his head toward my house.
“Were you expecting a pond or something?”
He laughs and tosses his football in the air. “More like a marsh.” I don’t even get a rebuttal in. He’s already walking off down the sidewalk.
* * *
I can’t believe our lunch date is turning into a dinner date. I try to hide my smile as we walk up to my front porch, Ben holding two large bags of to-go trays. I look back at him. “You should have let me split the bill.”
“Not a chance. Worth every penny.”
I pull my key out of my purse and slide it into the lock. “Your body won't be saying that with all the sodium you consumed. You better not try any funny business and fake passing out so you can spend the night—”
“Makayla.”
A loud sob erupts, grabbing my attention. My head whips to the left. Jenny rushes across my driveway, tears pouring down her face.
“Oh my god, what happened? Are you all right?”
“No, I just had a horrible fight with my ex. Can I come in?” She looks toward Ben, her eyes dropping to the bag of food. Shit, we don’t look guilty at all. Large bag of food. Both of us happy as clams about to walk into the house. . . together.
“Um. . . yeah. Of course. Ben was just dropping some food off. You hungry?” I peer over at Ben, the smile suddenly washed from his face.
“Thank you. I don’t want to be alone right now.”
“Yeah, sure. Just head inside. I’ll be right there.”
“Thanks. Hey, Ben.” She offers a quick, flirtatious smile and disappears inside.
“Did your neighbor just steal my sleepover spot?”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what to do or say.” It just didn’t seem like the time to tell her I’ve been lying about my relationship with Ben. Well. . . past relationship. I mean. . . I don’t even know what we are. Friends? Not enemies?
He hands me the bags of food, and my mood takes a nosedive. “I get a raincheck. My kidneys and I demand a sodium raincheck.” My shoulders slump with disappointment.
“I’m sorry.”
