AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You sure? You were in a foul mood earlier,” JJ mutters as we check out lunch options.
I grab a tray and set a plate with a cheeseburger on it and then grab a small basket full of fresh french fries. I can practically taste the salty goodness, I’m so fucking hungry all of a sudden. “I was just hungry.”
“More like hangry!” says a familiar female voice.
We both turn to see Cadence and Mya standing there, matching hopeful expressions on their faces. I groan inwardly, but JJ smiles like he’s a host on a game show, eager to please.
“Ladies,” he says, bowing at them before he reaches for his own cheeseburger.
“We haven’t sat together in a while,” Mya says, sharing a look with Cadence. “Can we join you guys?”
They haven’t sat with us since last week, which means it hasn’t been that long. I wonder at their motive, but I shrug, not wanting to give them any encouragement. “You can sit wherever you want.”
Another shared look between the girls but I ignore them.
“Join us,” JJ says, his focus only on Mya. “But only if you share your fries with me.”
“Deal,” Mya says with a giggle.
Cadence falls into step beside me as we walk out into the dining area, JJ and Mya following behind us. She sends me a knowing look, and I almost roll my eyes at her in return but restrain myself.
This is what I need to do with Daisy too. Restrain myself. But I overreacted because her comments touched a nerve. I need to find her and apologize, but I don’t see her pretty blonde head anywhere.
She’s probably hiding from me, and I can’t blame her.
“I’ve missed you, Archie,” Cadence says as we approach our usual table.
“Don’t start,” I warn her. “I’m not in the mood.”
“You’re never in the mood anymore.” She settles into a chair and I purposely choose one that’s not right next to her to sit in.
“Because we’re done,” I say with a finality I hope she picks up on.
But she doesn’t. Mya and JJ are flirting it up throughout lunch, with Cadence sending me meaningful looks every time I so much as glance in her direction.
“What are you guys doing this weekend?” Cadence asks at one point, her extra cheerful voice grating on my nerves.
“We’ve got no plans,” JJ says, glancing over at me. “Right, Arch?”
I nod. “I was hoping for a low-key weekend. Plus, I gotta go see my parents Sunday.”
“How are they?” Cadence asks me. “I miss them.”
What a lie. They didn’t particularly like her and she didn’t like them either.
“They’re fine,” I say, my voice clipped. I think about what I’ve got due in class next week. “I also need to write a paper.”
“Ugh, that’s so boring,” Mya says, giggling when JJ pokes her side with his index finger.
They’re into each other, and I envy how easy it is for them to kid around and flirt. Like it’s no big deal. It makes sense considering we’re all a part of the same friend group.
I wish it was that easy for me and Daisy.
“Well, we’re getting an Airbnb,” Cadence proclaims, glancing over at Mya, who nods encouragingly. “We’re having a big party Friday night.”
Tomorrow. Daisy’s birthday.
“What for?” I ask.
