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“What’s so funny?” I demanded.
“Hoo boy!” he wheezed. “The things I’ve heard aboutyou…”
I glanced at Amelia.
“I only told him the truth,” she said unapologetically.
“You probably did. But…you two…” I gestured between them. “What are you doing together? “
Amelia shrugged. “We like each other.”
I dropped to my knees and set my drink down. “Can I crash your blanket for a little while? I know I’m imposing, but…”
Marcus sat down next to me, his long legs bent, and did a couple’s eye contact negotiation with Amelia.
She sighed and flapped her newspaper shut. “You must be pretty desperate. Go ahead, make yourself at home.” A grin sneaked across her face. She was softer around Marcus. It suited her. “What happened to your noisy friends? They haven’t been over in awhile. The apartment’s been like a tomb.”
“I don’t know.” I stretched out on my back, arms flung over my head. The sky was darkening to a deep blue, streaks of sunset on the far side. I was probably flashing Amelia, but oh well. “I don’t know what’s happening with them.”
The music started. The energy moved in waves through all the people here, thousands of us, coming together in the springtime. Freshman and sophomore year, I’d been down by the stage. In front, dancing with my girls, showing off my moves, not wanting to miss a minute. Maybe I’d be there again next year. Right now, I was happy on the sidelines, experiencing the night in a different way.
Amelia and Marcus were making out. It should have been awkward; I was the third wheel who’d invited herself onto their blanket. But somehow, it wasn’t. They weren’t self-conscious, I didn’t feel uncomfortable. I drank my mocha down to the ice at the bottom. As the stars brightened overhead, I checked the time. Eleven pm.
There was something about the way Marcus ran his finger down the inside of Amelia’s arm, the way her smile came and went so quickly, that made me ache. They were just two happy people in love, sharing a blanket under the stars at an outdoor concert. It was so simple and perfect. It would be so easy to do that with Patrick. Yet it was the furthest thing away in the world.
Someone stepped on the blanket and stumbled. I sat up, catching her before she fell.
“Oh God, I’m so sorry.” She brushed blonde curls out of her eyes. “I must be really out of it.”
“Jess? Hey!” I blurted.
Her face lit up. “Hi! You look so familiar…”
Damn my mouth. “Christina.” I pointed to myself. “We met in Health Services awhile back. Good times.”
“Of course! I remember you. It was right after that game. And the article inThe Lighthouse— ugh, I’m so sorry about that. I know it’s old news, but it was completely unethical of them to use your name, and I did my best to stop it—”
“It’s okay.” I put my hand on her arm. “Really, I’m over it. We finished the season, it went great, and everyone’s forgotten all about it. “
Jess beamed at me. “Are you still with Patrick?”
“Yep.” I pushed my hair back. “He’s…somewhere. We’re pretty casual. Sometimes we like to do our own thing.”
“Huh. That doesn’t sound like Patrick.”
“Oh?”
I must have been staring, because she blinked and laughed.
This girl had dated Patrick. Slept with him. The way she’d greeted him, it was like she expected a big teddy bear.The best hugs.I couldn’t picture it, but damn, I was curious.
“Come sit?” I patted the space next to me. Amelia and Marcus were nuzzling noses.
“I— okay.” She flicked her curls out of her face again. “I was on my way to an after-party, but there’s no rush.” She settled down next to me. Her face was so open, her smile innocent. If Patrick was looking for someone who didn’t lie, this would have been his girl.
“So…” I lay back, sipping the dregs of my icy drink and trying to be off-hand. “Being casual doesn’t sound like Patrick?”
She laughed again. “Nope. Not that I’d call him super-intense. But commitment was important to him. He was without a doubt the most attentive guy I’ve ever dated. A total gentleman, andsucha sweetheart. It was always ‘whatever you want to do, Jess.’ He always put me first.” She shook her head, remorse on her face. “I hope it’s okay that I’m telling you this. It was a long time ago — I don’t have lingering feelings, or anything.”
