Page 30 (2/2)

I sed It was like Ethan was inside etting along lately” Sorta “Weren’t you just teasing me about it yesterday at school?”

He shrugged, which only annoyed rumbled and crossed my arms over my chest as Ethan helped hi fruity in ave it a sniff, es I took a healthy gulp and nearly barfed “Ugh This stuff is horrendous What’s in here, cough syrup?”

“I’ve been told it’s Carson’s secret concoction It loosens you up”

“Wait Loosen me up for what—”

“You caly out of nowhere

I snapped my mouth shut, my throat suddenly dry as I took in his so sleeve button-down shirt, which was untucked, rolled at the sleeves, and open at the neck to reveal a sle of tanned skin

“You brought lil bro,” he said, eyeing Ethan as he drew closer “You’re late I thought maybe you’d chickened out”

“Why would I chicken out?” I croaked Then, cal dinner, and lost track of time” I motioned to Ethan

It was a lie Our tardiness was entirely orchestrated because I hadn’t wanted to be one of the first ones there

He nodded as if he understood, and when Ethan sidled up beside lanced back and forth “Right Well, have fun,” he said, clinking his cup toback into the living room

“Wow That was pretty civil,” Ethan said “Maybe you guys have finally called a truce See? Trying to strangle hie”

I gave hihed, but I couldn’t help a little twinge of disappointer

“Hey, Ethan, what’s up, man?” Drake Brown, another junior, came up beside him, then offered him a fist-bump

I sighed inwardly Great Drake was on the football teath of ti football and never stop

“I’lanced down ath, after the basketball incident and everything,” he said, gesturing toward my eye