Page 27 of Little Do You Know

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Thalia

“YOU STILL AREN’T talking to him?” Blake asks as we wait for our coffees.

“Which one are we talking about?” I absently toy with a piece of my wavy hair hanging over my shoulder. I probably should get it cut soon. The number of split ends I have is getting out of hand.

She shakes her head. “Thalia, you need to talk to your brother and Sebastian. I mean, you live with them? How have you not had a single conversation with either of them in a week?”

It’s a learned skill to avoid both of them.

“It’s one of my many talents. Besides, the ball is in Sebastian’s court now. He was so stunned by my question that I told him to think about it and tell me when he had an answer. I obviously didn’t want to fuck that night; I’d at least like different sheets on his bed.” I wrinkle my nose at the thought. I hope Sebastian didn’t think I wanted to have sex that night.

“I can honestly say that sometimes I wonder how we have become friends. My life would be so uncomplicated if we weren’t friends,” Blake says dramatically, and I roll my eyes.

“You mean your life would be so incredibly boring.”

Blake chuckles, glancing around the shop. “I just want you to talk to Owen. He’s driving me up the fucking wall when he comes to the library. All he asks me about is how you’re doing.”

“He could ask me how I’m doing,” I point out, drumming my fingers on the counter as our coffees are delivered.

“He feels bad but can’t bring himself to apologize. I’ve noticed that you’re similar that way.” Wait, how often are they hanging out without me? It’s not important right now, but it’s still something to note for later.

“You haven’t said anything about Bash and I, right?”

“Not a word,” she confirms, making a face. “You could talk to one of them before you do this thing you can’t take back with Sebastian. ”

Check the box already; I’ve done that. I did that a year and a half ago! “We’re not friends. We’re roommates. Pretty sure I don’t have a time machine to go back and take back my question either.”

“However you want to put it, Bash will always be in your life through Owen. I don’t think you should do it.”

I take a drink from my latte and almost melt into a puddle at the comforting taste. “So when is your boyfriend coming to visit?”

Blake shrugs, avoiding meeting my gaze. Bingo. “It’s soccer season, and he doesn’t get enough time off to warrant returning to visit. California’s far.”

Okay, the vibes I’m getting right now are that she doesn’t want to talk about this. Cool. I can roll with that. “I’d love to meet him next time he’s in town.”

“Of course. If your brother hasn’t killed you yet,” she says, but now we’re broaching the topic I want to avoid.

“I think Penelope’s going to try to come for my twenty-first. You’re more than welcome to come hang out with us. It’s still a few weeks away, but she said she didn’t want to miss such a monumental moment for me in America.”

“I get to meet her? I’ve been waiting for you to say she’s visiting so I can meet the girl who wants you to climb Bash like a tree.” Her snort sends me over the edge, and I start laughing.

“If he weren’t so damn tall, it probably wouldn’t have been brought up.” I take another sip of my coffee. “I think I’m going to try to teach you some French if you have time. I’m tired of being the only one here that can speak it. Plus, it will help you keep up with Pen.” I can’t wait. It’s going to be amazing being reunited with her. Having Penelope here would be a blessing.

I spot Eric sitting by himself at a table and pull Blake in that direction. “She likes to switch between French and English, so it’ll be hard for you to keep up without knowing some basics.”

Eric smiles when he spots me, and I sit beside him, Blake sitting across from us. “Blake, meet Eric; he’s my knight in shining armor from the party. Eric, meet my bestie gal, Blake.”

“Bestie gal?” he questions, raising his eyebrows.

“Don’t question it. I came over to say thank you again for saving my ass. I promise I will return your jacket, but at this point, I might as well give it to one of the guys to take to practice.”

“Nice to meet you,” Blake says. “She’s not talking to Sebastian or Owen because she’s mad at them, so I doubt you’ll get your jacket until that’s over.” She shoots me a look that I choose to ignore. If I can ignore her problems with her boyfriend, she could do the same regarding my roommates.

Eric looks surprised to hear this. “Really? Neither of them has said anything at practice. I’m not usually with their group, but they seem fine.”

“And why shouldn’t they be fine? They’re not children,” I grumble under my breath. Think happy thoughts. Strangling Sebastian, shaving Owen’s beard off, or locking Owen in his room with a clown sounds lovely.

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