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“Fine. Whatever,” I finally say, because they’re all waiting for me to saysomething.
Jake rolls his eyes, but that’s the end of the discussion as far as the rest of us are concerned. Luke and Colt start asking me questions about college ball, and Jake jumps in eventually. Our group expands as other friends and old teammates join the huddle.
I move into the living room when the kitchen gets too crowded. It reveals a whole new wave of people wanting to talk to me. I’ve been mostly silent on social media for the past few months, and everyone wants to catch up now that I’m back in Landry. There are lots of inquiries about baseball from the guys. Lots of not-so-subtle inquiries regarding my relationship status from the girls.
I’m talking to Brett Michaels when I see her.
Lennon Matthews appears in the doorway, and I forget where I am. Forget my own name. A pickup truck could drive into this living room right now, and I’d still be focused only on her.
She’s cut her hair since graduation. The light brown strands only fall a few inches past her shoulders now. She’s wearing a pink fleece and jeans. Most of the girls here are in tank tops. A few are even wearing dresses or skirts, despite the December weather. Lennon’s outfit heats my blood in a way the bare skin doesn’t manage to.
Her mouth is curved into a subtle grimace as she scans the people scattered about the living room, her freckled nose slightly wrinkled. It’s fairly obvious she’s not here of her own volition. She whispers something to a blonde girl I recognize as Cassie Belmont, who giggles in response.
Then Lennon spots me. And she freezes.
Relief hits me like a wave. Because if she didn’t care, if she were totally over me, Lennon wouldn’t be looking at me like I’m a ghost.
Seconds suspend in time as we stare at each other. There’s no music on, and I don’t think it’s my imagination that the room around us quiets, exacerbating the fact that neither of us are saying anything.
People pay attention to me. And to Lennon, even if it’s for reasons she hates. Add in the fact we argued throughout high school then ended senior year with a series of private moments in public, and I’d guarantee there’s still gossip circulating town about us.
I don’t move any closer to her. Don’t say anything.
It’s childish, but I want Lennon to be the one to speak first. Her poker face is almost as good as mine, but her words give a lot away. I could really use that insight right now.
So, of course she doesn’t give it to me.
She stays silent and still. Cassie is a bit slow to realize what’s caught Lennon’s attention. Once she sees me, she glances between me and Lennon with wide eyes.
I watch her whisper something to Lennon I’d bet my trust fund is an offer to leave. When Lennon shakes her head, I’m certain I’m right.
She wouldn’t risk me, or anyone else, thinking I’d run her off.
Jake appears in the doorway behind Cassie and Lennon. “Drinks are this way, ladies.” He takes on the role of host and ushers them toward the doorway that leads to the kitchen. Toward where I’m standing with Brett.
Luke and Colt choose this moment to exit the kitchen. I’m a bit suspicious about the timing. They find my awkwardness around Lennon hilarious.
“Surprised to see you here, Lennon,” Luke calls out as he approaches.
It’s a practiced move. Talk to the friend, or girl, you’re not interested in, so you can see how the one you are interested in reacts. Cassie doesn’t appear affected by his lack of attention, but I don’t think Luke cares either way.
This time he’s not trying to bait Cassie.
He’s trying to bait me.
Lennon ignores him and addresses me instead. I’d be lying if I said that didn’t give me a secret thrill. “You’re back.”
“What tipped you off?” I tease her for stating the obvious, and I’m rewarded by the sight of a slight flush in her cheeks.
I don’t know what else to say, though. Don’t know how to broach into any of the heavier topics dangling between us. The last time I saw her, she kissed me and then walked away.
“The kitchen is just through here,” Jake says, cutting into the silence that’s fallen.
Lennon heads in the direction of the kitchen without saying anything else to me, with Cassie right behind her.
I drain the end of my beer. “I’m going to the bathroom.” I stalk down the hallway to the restroom. Miraculously, there’s no line.
After I wash my hands, I stare at myself in the mirror for a minute. Six months, and she still affects me. Maybe I’ll never get over her.
