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“Yeah, I did,” Wes counters. “I just liked winning, and the pranks were pretty fun.”
“Pretty fun? You talked about the pool prank for weeks!”
Wes chuckles. “Okay yeah, I did.”
“See? You were on board with it, until her.”
We’re both silent for a minute, watching our friends play around in the pool. I make eye contact with Jess, who’s sitting on one of the lounge chairs next to Madeline, watching me and Wes. She gives me alookI ignore.
“I think you’d like her, if you got to know her.”
I glance at Wes. “Are you being serious right now?”
“Yeah. Maeve’s cool.”
“Even if the rivalry was a non-issue, which we both know it isn’t, you kissed me in front of her, Wes. Remember? That’s not the sort of thing girls just forget. Plus, I’m assuming she knows we used to…”
“She knows.”
“And she wants to be friends withme?” He doesn’t answer, which gives me one. “That’s what I thought.”
Wes sighs. “I’m sick of the Glenmont versus Alleghany shit. It feels like we have separate lives here too, you know? College was supposed to be a fresh start. But it’s a long-ass trip. And then when we’re back here, there’s no common ground. None of the Glenmont guys will even talk to me. Not when they see Liam still giving me the silent treatment. And now I’ve got to figure out all this college stuff while my parents are splitting up. I’m sure it will just be one more argument. My mom thinks my dad pushed me into Lincoln.”
“Didn’t he?”
He shrugs. “I knew he wanted me to go.”
“I’m sorry, Wes. If there’s anything I can do…if you want to talk, I’m here.”
“Thanks. Back at you, Jacobs.”
I smile. Wes’s problems have been a nice distraction from my own for a little while. “Thanks.”
Wes drains the rest of his beer. “I’m going to get back in. You coming?”
“Nah, I’m good here.”
“Okay.” Wes stands and walks toward the pool, leaving his empty beer can on one of the tables.
My phone buzzes. I pull it out to seeDadflashing across the screen. After staring at it for a few seconds, I shove it back into my pocket.
I sit there alone, picking at my nails until there’s no pink left.
CHAPTERTHREE
LIAM
“Liam!” Maeve calls.
“Coming!” I yell back.
Maeve returned from soccer camp a few days ago. I’ve barely seen her, busy lifeguarding and hanging out with the guys at the lake. Not to mention football. There’s always football. I had to work this morning, but Maeve and I are going to meet a large group of our friends at the lake for the afternoon.
I yank a t-shirt over my head and make sure I have my phone and wallet before thundering down the stairs. Maeve is standing in the front hall, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. “Finally finished styling your hair?”
“I literally got home from work five minutes ago, Maeve.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She grabs her bag off the floor and slings it over one shoulder. “Got everything? Let’s go.”
