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He laughs, then it turns into a sigh. “I also…” Mentally, I lean forward. Physically, I take another bite of taco. “I didn’t exactly tell the guys I kept in touch with you. Oliver and Luke and Josh, I mean.”
“Okay…”
“They all think I have a thing for you.”
I repeat “Okay” again. Internally, my mind is racing. His three best friends, guys he’s known his whole life, think he’s into me. Does that mean something? “So you want them to sayI told you so?”
Elliot grimaces. “Yeah, it’ll go that way at first. But if I keep telling them we’re just friends, they’ll keep bugging me about it. If I say we’re dating, they’ll sayI told you so—but then, what? That’ll be that, and when we fake break up, I’ll just let them know it didn’t work out and we can go back to being friends. I’m playing the long game.”
“This seems like a lot of effort to go to.”
“Aside from talking you into this, I’m exerting no effort at all.”
“Won’t they want…details? About us?”
Something fierce flickers in his eyes before he answers. “They’re not getting any.” I know Elliot’s a decent guy. I seriously doubt he doesn’t engage in locker room talk with his buddies, but I don’t press the issue. “Just think about it, Denny.”
The idea that I could do anythingbutthink about it laughable. My moral center regarding lying isn’t all that strong. I’m hesitating because I’m worried about the damage pretending to date Elliot will do to the more-than-friendly feelings I already have toward him.
But I can’t tell Elliot that, though, so I just make a noncommittal sound and take another bite of taco.
* * *
As we get out of the car in the driveway, Elliot takes my hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze. Maybe the fact that I’m showing up with the most anticipated arrival should be comforting, but it’s terrifying. Every eye will be on us. At least he hasn’t brought up the wholeLet’s pretend to dateproposition.
The sound of pounding bass is evident as soon as we approach the front walk of Josh’s lavish lake house. I don’t remember it being quite this huge last year. It would fit right in amongst my neighborhood. As we reach the front door, it’s flung open and a group of girls stagger out onto the porch, laughing. They stop in clear shock at the sight of Elliot, their laughs switching to nervous giggles. They’re all dressed up—reallydressed up. I’m wearing a dress, but it’s nowhere near as fancy. It’s not even mine. When I explained my lost luggage predicament to Aunt Katherine, she went and pulled a few outfits from Annabel’s closet. I’m sure Annabel will be here, and I’m a little worried about what her reaction will be to me not only being here, but showing up in her clothes. Just like my last visit, she’s been a complete no-show so far.
“Is there a dress code you didn’t tell me about?” I ask Elliot.
“Nah,” he replies. “They’re just dressed up from the formal.”
“Formal?”
“Yeah, it’s like a school dance.”
“I know what a formal is, Elliot. But there was one tonight? And you didn’t go?”
“Yes. And no.”
I puzzle over that piece of information as we enter the massive foyer. The collective roar of noise as everyone realizes who the newest attendee is effectively puts an end to the conversation. But still, I wonder. Did he not want to go? If I hadn’t been here, would be have? I doubt it, and that sparks a dangerous emotion: hope. Everything so far—having his mom pick me up, the sweatshirt, the tacos, bringing me here—has assured me that me coming wasn’t the awkward mistake I feared, that Elliot really meant he wanted me to visit. They’ve also confirmed my other fear: that coming here is going to do more harm than good when it comes to my feelings for him.
The pop song that was playing is replaced by “We Are the Champions”. I wonder if anyone else is getting sick of listening to that song. It doesn’t seem that way.
Elliot takes the attention in stride, smiling as he tugs me deeper into the house. Most people I see are as dressed up as the girls on the front porch. His friend Luke is standing in one corner of the living room, talking with a group of girls. As soon as Luke spots us, he says something to them and comes over.
“Fucking finally,” he declares dramatically. “I need you for beer pong, Reid.”
Elliot glances at me.
“Go ahead,” I urge, more confidently than I feel.
“Find someone else,” Elliot tells Lucas.
Lucas glances at me, looking surprised. I take the opportunity to re-introduce myself, because I’m not certain he even remembers who I am. “I’m Auden. We met last summer, in the—”
“Coffee shop,” he finishes. “The girl with the pen. Yeah, I remember.” He cocks his head. “I didn’t realize you’d be making a return trip.”
I shrug, trying to appear at ease. “Last trip wasn’t terrible.” I glance at Elliot, and he smiles. “I’ve got some family here, too.”
