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She wraps her arms around his waist just like she did me. But seeing as he faces her, her head falls almost to the center of his chest instead of on his back as it did with me. Zander’s whole face lights up for a split second before he wraps his arms around her and lays his head on top of hers, his eyes closing as if he’s entirely at peace.
I’ve never been one for physical affection. It’s not that I don’t like to be touched. I’ve just never seen the appeal of hugs, kisses, holding hands, and all that shit. Just fuck and go about your day if you need to feel someone. But seeing the look on Zander’s face and the smile that has yet to leave Jade’s makes me almost upset that I was hugged from behind.
I’m not sure what that means, but I’m almost positive it’s not good, so I keep my mouth shut against the urge to ask her for a do-over. Never in my life have I asked for a hug, and I won’t start now, especially with a stranger.
She thanks him as well and then pulls away, tucking her hands behind her back as she takes a step back and smiles at both of us.
“Please tell your other missing friend I said thank you to him as well.”
I nod, and that's all she needs. She’s gone as quickly as she was here, racing back towards the van and the other girls. She’s quick.
I look back at Zander. He shrugs as if to say he has no idea what just happened before we head to the car again.
“You know, I’m not sure how it’s possible, but she smelled fantastic.” Zander says as he lifts his shirt to his nose and takes a deep breath. “Like musky vanilla but also like the woods. But that part is probably just from being in a literal hole in the ground.” I roll my eyes at him as he continues to hold his shirt to his nose as we walk, fucking weirdo.
“You better put your shirt down before we get to the car. Spencer’s already going to be upset he didn’t get a hug.” I tell him as the car comes back into view. I can see Spencer leaning against the hood, smoking a cigarette.
Zander barks out a laugh. “Oh no, I would hate to make him jealous.” Sarcasm laced every word. Great. There goes our quiet drive home.
“Did you want to sniff my shirt, Ricky? I know you didn’t get the chance to push her off for touching you like I’m sure you were dying to, but no sense in missing out completely.” I shoot him a glare, hoping he will drop it. If Spencer finds out that she hugged Zander and me, he’s sure to be a grumpy ass the whole way home, and I just don’t have the energy for that. Not to mention the fact that I’m still upset, and I can’t even understand why let alone explain it.
Zander stops dead in his tracks and looks at me like I grew a second head.
“I don’t know what your problem is, Zander, but let it go. I just want to get home.” So I tell him as I keep walking. If he wants to stand there all night, then so be it. But I’m leaving with or without his ass in the car.
I reach the car just as Spencer stomps out his cigarette right next to two other butts, letting me know he’s been chain-smoking since the moment he got back here.
“Let’s go.” I tell him, and he nods before heading towards the rear driver's side door.
I pull open my door, but before I can get in, it’s slammed shut, Zander standing in front of it, blocking me from it.
“Are you jealous, Rick?” His eyes sparkle as he looks at me as if daring me to deny it, or maybe he’s daring me to admit it.
I just roll my eyes and move to shove him out of the way; I’m not doing this right now. He dodges my hand and is back in my face again in a second. “Come on, Ricky, it’s okay to admit you’re human. I’ll even let you smell my shirt!” He’s bouncing around like a puppy as he continues to taunt me, and if I weren’t so exhausted, I would knock him out.
But I am tired, so fucking tired, so instead of hitting him, I give in.
“I don’t know!” I scream at him as my temper momentarily gets the best of me. He freezes for all of two seconds before he bounces around even more than he was a moment ago. Then, his face splits into a grin so big I worry it might split his face in half.
“What in the hell are you two going on about?” Spencer questions as he gets back out of the car, probably to see why we have yet to get in.
Zander forgets about me as he turns to face Spencer. “Ricky is in love!” He screams, and just like that, my temper snaps.
He takes off when those words leave his lips, with me hot on his heels. The fucker knew exactly what he was doing when he said it, and I played right into it. But it’s too late to back down, and there's only one way to make him drop it.
He’s quick, and he’s smaller than I am. While he’s not without muscle, he’s got a slimmer build than Spencer, and I do, making him quicker. I know if I just chase him around, we could be out here all morning, so I’ll have to just outsmart him. He runs around the car, and I act just before he goes past Spencer.
“If you grab him, I’ll explain what happened on the drive home.” I shout to Spencer.
His arms snap out and grab Zander quick as a whip. Zander groans even before Spencer spins around and slams him into the car with his arm braced at his throat to keep him pinned.
Spencer might be the most outwardly relaxed of the group, but he likes nothing more than being in the know and having all the information. Being in the dark about something drives him nuts, and knowing that has helped me a lot over the years.
“You cheated.” Zander chokes out the words, utterly unfazed by the fact that Spencer has him in such a position.
I lazily shrug my shoulders as I walk back to the driver's door.
“A wins a win, no matter how you get there.” I tell him as I hop in and start the car.
