Page 77 (1/1)

I stretchmy drink order for the pizza place at the other end of careasiest pizza I’ve ever seen I type that I’ that insult for food

Good, because it’s already halfway gone Oh, and Houston’s here ;-)

As unappetizing as the pizza was to me, it’s the second part of her text that hasto be pretty hard to talk about him when he’s actually there Not to mention, he’s only there because of his stupid text fuck up

With every step closer I take to the restaurant, the less I want to be there I can seeat so And Rowe is gazing between the two of the Houston is being char to want there to be a me and him

There is a me and him But I also think maybe it only works if we keep it a secret Otherwise, it becomes a me and him and a whole lot of other people

"So lots of cold showers, huh?" Cass says through laughter as I step up to the booth What the fuck? Cold showers?

"You wouldn’t believe howwhen I dropslides towardcold showers?" I ask, lips pursed,toooff a piece of crust and eating it like a carrot My face feels hot, and Houston suddenly looks guilty

"And he’ll be taking lance up to the counter to wave the waitress over, and when I glance back, Houston’s eyes are wider

"You’re planning on taking even longer showers to drain the hot water tank?" he says, the words co--so fucking wrong

"I a up my persona Frankly, it’s not unlikeabout h maintenance," Cass says, her mouth still full with her crust bite "But I think you’ll find she grows on you"

I slance to the side at Cass, inks It’s been a while since she’s said soood

"What do you study, Houston?" Rowe asks from the corner seat Roays sits in a corner, her back to the wall There was a shooting at her high school a couple years ago, and some of her friends didn’t survive She’s only talked to me about it once It strikes me how much she and Houston have in coeek," he shrugs

"Oh, well that’s good," Cass laughs, winking at ood this time "My sister only falls for meathead athletes You should be safe"

I can’t stop the instant sour face I make at her statement, but I catch it quickly, before she notices Not before Rowe, though

"There’s nothing wrong with hter She doesn’t like confrontation, and I think shethe subject forher hand on Houston’s arm as she shifts her body to face him more My eyes lock on that small touch, and I know the sour face is back When I look at Rowe, she’s looking atfor Nate when school first started, but he was into Rowe It was a little aard, because ere all living together then But turns out Nate wasn’t really her type anyouldn’t you say Paige?"

I nod in agreement, reluctantly, my stooing to be insulted by it

"And what’s her type?" Houston asks I kick hiain under the table, and I don’t care that both Cass and Rowe see it

"Well…" Cass smirks

"Be nice," I point at her, relieved when the waitress drops my drink off at the table At least I can busy e needs soht," Cass starts I feel Houston shift, and I keep ue with her, be offended or defend irl I was before, wouldn’t She’d agree "Paige has always been a leader Ever since grade school I think maybe it started when the principal let her cut the ribbon to unveil the new playground equipment Do you remember that?"