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“Uh-huh.” I try to act nonchalant as I pull my lunch out of my backpack and start eating my turkey sandwich.
Brooke appraises me carefully. “You. Maeve Stevens. Miss Perfect, Straight A’s, Rule Follower, Student Council President, Soccer Captain had athingwith the Alleghany quarterback?”
“Yes.” I take another bite of my sandwich.
“How—how did you even meet him?”
“Uh, at the Alleghany party Maggie brought me to.” Our freshman year tête-à-tête is not something I’m willing to share.
Brooke nods as though she’s come to some brilliant realization. “Oh, is that what the ‘loud conversation’ was about? You told him you were some girl from Fayetteville then and he figured out the truth somehow?”
I scoff at her assumption. “No. He’s always known who I am. And our conversation was about Matt kissing me at the Alleghany field on Thursday.”
“That was you?” Sarah gasps. “Everyone’s been trying to figure out who that was.”
“Fantastic.” I take another bite.
“Damn, Maeve. You’ve got things going with both Matt and Weston Cole? If I weren’t so horrified by the Weston Cole of it all, I’d almost be impressed,” Brooke comments.
“There’snothinggoing on between me and Matt,” I clarify. “He caught me off guard, and Sam had the brilliant timing of capturing it on camera and sending it around. The only person I have feelings for is Wes, but that’s especially complicated right now. Ergo, the ‘loud conversation.’”
“Wes?” Brooke catches. “Wow. I guess people haven’t been exaggerating about the Weston Cole charm after all.”
“There’s a lot more to him than that,” I snap.
“You’re awfully defensive of someone you were screaming at yesterday.”
“It’s not just his fault things between us are a mess. And… I’m in love with him, okay?”
Brooke looks at me with pity. “Oh, Maeve. He fed you that line?”
“It wasn’t a line,” I respond tersely. Sarah stays silent, and I can’t help but glance at her. She’s the only person who’s seen us interact. Did it seem false to her?
“So, you didn’t sleep with him?”
“I’m not discussing it with you,” I tell Brooke stiffly.
“That’s not a ‘no,’ Maeve.”
“You’re right. It’s an ‘I’m not discussing it with you.’ If you want to ask me questions about him, fine. But it’s not helpful for you to pick apart my relationship—”
“Relationship?” Brooke cuts me off. “I’m trying to keep you from getting more hurt, Maeve. He’s Weston fucking Cole! He’s a total player! I could list ten girls I know he’s hooked up with.”
“And I’d hardly say you’re in a position to judge them, or me,” I reply. “Wasn’t it just a couple months ago you were begging me for details about how he looks in person? You ask Maggie about him every time we see her!”
“I think he’s hot, yes! And I was teasing Maggie about him because I never thought she would ever hook up with him! Even now that she lives in Alleghany. And I’m not judging you, Maeve. You know I’ve done plenty of stupid stuff, and you’re one of my best friends. I’m just trying to get you to see reality, since apparently you’ve lost touch.”
The bell signaling the end of lunch rings, and I stand, packing away my mostly untouched lunch. “I’ll see you guys at Chase’s tonight.”
I slink into English. Damn Mr. Thompson and his attempt to be innovative and seat us alphabetically by first name instead of last.
Matt is already in his seat. I give him a hesitant smile, meeting his gaze for the first time since Thursday. I haven’t known how to act around him, but I feel guilty for avoiding him, especially after Liam’s sulking comment last night.
“Hey,” I greet him like it’s any ordinary weekday. He doesn’t reply, but I watch a muscle jump in his jaw. “Come on, Matt, I thought we were friends.”
“Wewerefriends. Before I knew the guy you were talking about was Weston fucking Cole.”
“Look, I’m really sorry if I hurt your feelings—”
