Page 63 (1/2)

She smiled "I don’t think Carmine will fit"

"I don’t think so either," Car "Not even "

There were more presents to open, and afterward they ate the cake The three of the feeling ular day than a celebration Haven felt ridiculous for her anxiety over it all, grateful to be able to relax with friends

Friends It was still surreal to her that she had people in her life she could call friends

"So, have the two of you thought about what you’re doing next year?" Dia asked eventually "I’er"

Haven glanced at Cared "It doesn’t ates of Hell"

Dia had been taking a drink but choked, spraying soda all over herself Coughing, she threw her hands into the air "Did you say rabbed Haven’s hand "Where’s the ring?"

Caret down on one knee?" she asked Carmine shook his head, and she s proposal is that?"

"Not a real one," he said "I asked if she’d marry ain, but he was prepared and dodged the blow

"Shit, stop hitting me It’s not like I planned it It just ca you put into Valentine’s Day, and you completely blow the proposal"

He opened his mouth to respond, but Haven chimed in before he could "I don’t need any of that stuff"

Carmine smirked "See, Warhol? I didn’t fuck up"

"You still could’ve gotten down on one knee"

Carotten between her knees, if you knohat I ed I’," Carmine said "We made love"

Carmine’s presence was scarce the next teeks, even more so than before He would slip out of the house for school while Haven was still asleep and wouldn’t get home from football practice until dinnertime After they ate, the two of theoing straight to bed

They didn’t even sleep in the sarew as the days passed, and Car back into old patterns, he would lose his temper and lash out, and Haven would brush it off, despite that his words often hurt

It was Friday evening, and Carame of the year Haven’s palms were sweaty when she climbed in the driver’s seat of Dominic’s car at around seven o’clock It’s for Caret in her way of supporting him

When she reached the school, the noise fro lot, the announcer on the loudspeaker screeching above thee to rabbed her shoulder Her heart pounded furiously as she swung around, her hands protectively covering her face

"Whoa," Nicholas said "It’s just me"

She dropped her hands "What do you want?"

"Do I have to want so to hurt Carether, you can just leave"

"Honestly, that hadn’t crossed my mind, but now that you mention it"

"Good-bye, Nicholas" Her frustration was enough to s finally irls blocking the entrance, with Lisa in the center

"I thought yousquad," Nicholas said, walking up behind her "But if you’d rather go alone--"

"No"

Sighing, he pressed his hand against her back "Coround, and heard laughter as they approached the stadiu up Carmine’s leftovers?" Lisa asked "I didn’t realize you were that desperate"

Nicholas shook his head "Do you even hear yourself? You used to be his main course If I were desperate, I’d be with you instead"

He pulled Haven toward the ticket booth and paid for his ticket, but she just stood there, frantic She hadn’t considered that she would need money "I, uhI didn’t think"

His brow furrowed as he reached for his wallet again Tossing a few dollars at the lady working, he grabbed a second ticket and handed it to her She tried to object, not wanting hiame

He led her to the bleachers, his walk more of a strut as he shoved his hands in the pockets of his cargo pants His shoulders sluaze as Haven scanned the crowd, spotting Dia in a center section

Before she could thank Nicholas, he’d already slipped away

Haven headed up the bleachers, her nervousness waning as she took a seat beside Dia Haven waved at Carmine on the sidelines, but he just stared at her from the field, expressionless She wasn’t surprised--another one of hisnew these days