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A car I recognize as Rhys’s drives past us, turns, and parks in front of my house. There are a couple guys from the team with him. And Karen. The others stay in the car while he gets out and approaches, his gaze on Peter. To me, he says, “What’s up, dipshit?” And to Peter, he says, “Hey, man. Home for a break?” They shake hands as if they’ve known each other their entire lives.
Peter answers, “Just staying with Ava while Trevor’s gone.”
“Oh yeah. His dad’s wedding, right?”
Peter nods. And my stomach drops. It’s like I’m right here but in another dimension. Clueless to the real world. I don’t know how Rhys knows Peter or how he knows what goes on in Ava’s life, if it’s small-town gossip or if Ava’s talking to Rhys the same way she talks to me.
But more.
More unreserved and open, and I feel… I feel so fucking insignificant.
Rhys says, pointing to me, “Get your ass dressed. We're going to the sports park.”
“Don’t we have that showcase today?”
After a scoff, Rhys mumbles, “Yeah, in like four hours. Let’s go.”
I sigh, not really in the mood to socialize. “Is Mitch going?”
“Nah, he can’t make it.”
Good.
Then Peter says, “Maybe he’s getting his wisdom teeth removed.”
I can’t help but chuckle.
“What?” asks Rhys, confused.
And I say, “You know, so he can fit more dicks in his mouth.”
Peter laughs, and Rhys glances between us. Then Karen appears from thin air and sidles up next to me. “You coming?” she asks.
“Yes,” Rhys answers for me. “Hurry your ass up. I’m hungry as shit.”
“I’ll go get dressed,” I say at the same time Peter tells Karen, “Hi, I’m Peter.”
Karen giggles. “I know who you are. You and Trevor used to chase Ava and me around the backyard with piss-filled water pistols.”
His eyes widen. “You’re that girl?” Then he eyes her up and down. “Damn, talk about a glow up.”
“Get dressed already!” Rhys yells, shoving me toward my front door.
I throw my hands up in surrender. “I’m going.” I glance toward Ava’s house, shocked to see her standing in her doorway watching us all. I lift my hand in a wave. She shuts the door between us.
AVA
“What’s going on outside?” Mom asks, agitated.
I close the door, jealousy and resentment forming an ache in my chest too large to ignore. I plaster on a smile and sit back down at the table, moving Mom’s speech therapy flashcards around aimlessly. “It’s just some kids from school,” I mumble.
“Are they messing with the house again?” she asks, her eyes narrowed, fist balled on the table.
“No, Mama. They’re just out there talking to Connor.”
She snorts. “Who the hell is Connor?”
“He’s…” He’s a boy who deserves to have the life being offered to him. “He’s no one.”
