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“Because I’m sure you wouldn’t want to explainwhyyou were asking.”
I shrug in response, even though she’s right. I was made the poster boy for the Hate Alleghany movement my freshman year at Glenmont High and it wasn’t a self-appointed title. It hasn’t moved along onto Glenmont’s current starting quarterback either. There was too much drama between me and Weston for a simple passing of the torch to end the saga. “Fine. I looked you up.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know,” I admit, although the reason I’ve been standing here and talking to her for so long is a good place to start.
To be honest, I’ve never really interacted with anyone from Alleghany, outside of their football team when we’d play them. And Weston, but not by choice.
I painted all its residents with the same black and white brush and Natalie is splashing color all over herself.
“Liam, Natalie, this is Tyler.” Parker and Tessa reappear with the same guy I saw by the front door. “His folks have a place a few doors down.”
I smile at Tyler and receive a friendly grin in return. “Nice to meet you, man.”
“You too.” That’s all the consideration I get. He’s spotted Natalie. “I’m Tyler.” He reintroduces himself, unnecessarily, and I have to forcibly keep my eyes from rolling.
“I’m Natalie.” Her voice is sweet and flirty. No sign of fire or sass. “Your folks have a place around here?”
“Yeah, super close by. You’re welcome to stop by anytime. Check out the house…and me.”
Natalie looks him up and down. “Already did.”
Tyler laughs.
The rest of us might as well not be standing here. I can’t figure out why I’m feeling annoyed by the exclusion.
“I can show you around upstairs, if you want?” Tessa offers.
It takes me a minute to realize she’s talking to me.
“Yeah, you guys go ahead,” Parker says. When Tessa isn’t looking, he winks at me.
I’m not surprised. I’m the buddy that guyswantto set up with their sisters or female friends. If I was looking for a girlfriend—or if I’d ever been into any of the girls nudged my way—it would be convenient.
Tessa misses the exchange, but Natalie doesn’t. Her lips pucker like she’s sucking on a lemon as she glances back and forth between me and Tessa. I’m not good enough for her friend, apparently. At least I have better pick-up lines than Tyler, who’s taking the opportunity while Natalie is distracted to check out her tits.
“That would be great, Tessa,” I say.
She smiles, then gestures for me to follow her. I don’t look at Natalie, because I’m pretty sure ignoring her will piss her off more than any parting comment I could come up with. When I feel her eyes on my back all the way to the stairs, I’m confident I was right.
As Tessa and I walk upstairs, there are a few hoots and hollers by partygoers assuming we’re headed upstairs for reasons unrelated to unpacking.
Tessa’s cheeks are pink when we reach the top of the stairs. The cottage is larger than it looked from outside. I count six doors lining the hallway. Tessa points out two as the bathrooms. The bedrooms at the far end of the hall are hers and Parker’s. And the two closer to the stairs are the guest rooms, apparently.
Clothing is strewn across the bed in one. “That’s where Natalie is staying,” Tessa confirms, following my gaze to the room exactly opposite the last option.
“I figured.”
“She’s never mentioned you before,” Tessa blurts, then blushes even redder. “Not that—I just meant…”
“It’s fine, Tessa,” I tell her, smiling. “I’d be more surprised if you said she had mentioned me. It’s just this rivalry thing between our towns.”
“Like the Yankees and the Red Sox?”
“Sure. But life or death.”
Tessa’s eyes widen. “Um, wow. Okay.”
