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“Yeah, so, she seemed interested, so we hung out over Thanksgiving a bit. She’s friends with…they came over here one night. Both of them.”
I take another sip of beer, trying to act casual.
Probably too casual. Everyone in the kitchen is paying attention to us, likely wondering why we’re huddled next to the fridge.
I should shrug and put them all at ease. Reassure them I’m not bothered. But I’m too curious. I can only hold the words back for so long.
“You saw her?”
Jake doesn’t bother to hide his smirk. I’m pretty sure he figured out I had a thing for Lennon before I did.
“Uh, yeah.” Luke replies.
“And you didn’t tell me?” There’s a dangerous note in my voice, and I know Luke hears it.
I’m fairly certain I hear Jake mutter “wonder why,” but I’m too busy waiting for Luke’s response to pay attention to Jake’s sarcasm.
“She didn’t stay long,” Luke replies.
“Did you talk to her?” I press, eager for more information.
I’m well aware I’m sounding a little more pathetic with each question. I also know I’m going to visit Matthews Farm at some point during this trip home. Might as well be as prepared as possible.
“Uh, no. She spent most of the time talking to Masterson, actually.”
I say nothing, even as my chest tightens. She wasn’t interested in him before. Has six months changed that?
“She wasn’t flirting back,” Colt tells me.
It’s embarrassing—but convenient—that he can read me so well. Colt’s a straight shooter. He wouldn’t say that if he didn’t mean it.
“Okay,” I respond. Acknowledging I care.
Which isn’t a surprise to any of my best friends.
They all know Lennon is a touchy subject, so they tend to avoid it. Jake and Colt telling Luke to mention it makes no sense.
“Wait…why are you telling me this now?” Luke glances at Colt, and that’s when I realize. “You invited Cassie again tonight.”
Luke nods.
“And you think Lennon will come too.”
Another nod.
I take a longer sip of beer. Luke, Colt, and Jake all study my expression, but I know it’s not giving anything away.
I’m good at hiding my true feelings. Very good.To succeed in life, always know what others want, my grandfather would tell me.And never let them know what you really want.
It’s usually easy to tell what people want.
Except for Lennon.
I could never tell what she wanted. And ironically, she never seemed to believeIwantedher.
Seeing her tonight shouldn’t matter to me. I know I’m acting nonchalant, but I can’t convince myself I actually am.
I don’t ordinarily need to feign being confident. I just am. I know what to say, how to act. But something about Lennon Matthews has always disarmed that ease.
