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“I don’t think anything is going on,” Drew said. “Not physically anyway. I don’t think Jason would be stupid enough to try anything. He knows you’d kill him.”
“He’s impulsive, Drew.”
“So talk to him. Try to make him understand.”
“Understand what, exactly?” I asked, turning the corner to confront the two people who were inexplicably trying to control something that, as far as I was concerned, wasn’t even an issue. And even if it was, what right did they have to interfere? As I stared them down, they jumped apart, guilt covering their faces.
Drew glanced down at Ellie. “I’ll leave you to it.”
“No, you can stay,” I told him. “Both of you seem to be involved in this, whateverthisis, so you can answer my questions.”
“Lucy—” Ellie began.
“Wait.” I held my hands up, stopping her. “Why are you two out here whispering about Jason and me? If there is something you want to ask me, then just ask. Not that I have anything to tell you, which is why I’m so confused right now.”
Ellie flicked her eyes toward Drew, in much the same way my mother looked at my father when there was something uncomfortable she wanted to discuss. She closed her eyes and leaned back against the ornate wooden banister behind her. “You weren’t supposed to hear any of that,” she admitted.
“Obviously. But I did.”
I kept my stare firm on her. I knew she would cave if I glared hard enough, but more than that, she knew she owed me an explanation which was why she kept tugging at the sleeves of her top and avoided meeting my eyes.
“What do you think is going on, Ellie? And what does Jason need to understand?” I asked.
Again, Ellie looked to Drew for help, and he took a step toward me. “We’ve noticed you and Jason spending a lot of time together.”
“You meanyou’venoticed,” I said. “Ellie only just got here.”
He at least had the grace to give an embarrassed nod. “Okay. I noticed.”
“I noticed too,” Ellie added. “It’s hard not to.”
“Have you seen where we live right now? I can’t avoid him, can I?”
She raised an eyebrow. “How much time have you spent with Mack or Joey? Or me, for that matter?”
“Oh, that’s what this is about? You think I haven’t spent enough time with you? I thought you might want to be with Drew on the first day you got here!”
“It’s not about me. It’s about you!”
“Istilldon’t know what I’ve done.” I tried to keep from yelling as my frustration grew.
“You haven’t done anything.” Drew gave Ellie’s shoulder a gentle squeeze, silently telling her to calm down. “But we’re worried that you getting closer to Jason is going to cause… problems.”
“For who?” I questioned, a little confused.
“Both of you.”
I shook my head. “This is total crap. Nothing’s happened between us. I don’t know why you’d think it would.”
“The late-night talks, the hugging, the hand holding. You don’t think that’s a sign?”
“Ellie holds hands with Jason, hugs him, and has stayed up all night talking to him. Do you think she’s trying to screw him too?”
Ellie’s head snapped up, her eyes narrow as Drew stiffened.
That was a low blow, and I knew it, but she and Drew had suddenly turned into my parents, and I still didn’t know why. However, I shouldn’t have taken a swing at Drew’s insecurities about Jason. They were much better than they used to be, but he needed no reminder of how bad things used to be.
“I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair.” I took in a long breath. “But if you have a question, you should have spoken to me, not talked about me behind my back.”
