Page 50 of That First Flight

“You took the words right out of my mouth, Oliver!” Peyton exclaims. “You have to come hang out with us.”

I shake my head. “I appreciate that. But I can’t. I don’t have any family or anyone here in the city to watch Mackenzie for—”

Oliver cuts me off, “You have me.”

My head snaps in his direction, everyone goes silent and my throat all of sudden feels extremely dry. I swear I even hear a fork drop against a plate as if someone was mid-bite and just as shocked as I am right now.

It wasn’t an offer. It was him volunteering himself to hang with her, no questions asked. If there was a single part of me that felt like she was a burden on him, it’s out the window because those three words just told me hewantsher here.

“Yeah?” The only word I can manage to get out.

He sighs. “Yeah, Macey.”

Shit. I feel like I might have just offended him. I know he’s told me he likes having us here, but my anxiety gets the best of me most of the time and I always think the worst of everything.

I can’t help I’m in a constant state of worrying about what others think or that I’m a problem. Feeling like a burden when you live under the roof of two people who are supposed to love you unconditionally no matter what will do that to you.

“That settles it.” Avery claps her hands together, breaking the tension. “You’re freaking in for girls’ night, babe.”

Peyton pulls out her phone, swiping it open. “We need your phone number. We’re going to add you to ourGirl Gangtext chat we have going.”

“Emiline is in it too,” Avery says. “I don’t think you’ve met her yet but she’s just as cool as us.”

“It’s a shame she has to study tonight. I would have loved to meet her,” I say.

“Studying,” Avery scoffs at the same time she throws up air quotes and shoots me an exaggerated eye roll.

“What does that mean?” Marc asks her as concern washes over him.

“It means nothing,” Peyton hisses at her through gritted teeth. “It means she needs to go to bed early because she’s tired from work.”

My eyes bounce around to everyone at the table, trying to figure out what that’s all about.

So… is she not studying?

Marc and Thomas pull out their phones and begin texting a mile a minute when a few seconds later, they both groan.

“Logan isn’t answering his phone,” Thomas starts.

“I’m going to fucking kill him,” Marc rasps.

Kali leans in to me. “We all think that their friend Logan has a thing for Emiline. Averyassumesthey’re together tonight and that’s why they aren’t here. I, for one, really do think she’s studying but Em tends to keep some of her life hush-hush.”

“Ooh. That’s… interesting.” I lightly chuckle.

“It’s actually hysterical how much these guys get all wound up over it,” Kali says.

“Let’s go,” Marc announces. “I’m going to his apartment right now.”

“I’m in.” Thomas stands next, grabbing his jacket off the back of the chair.

“I’m not,” Peyton announces. “I’m going home and going to bed. Let those two live their lives. Plus, I doubt they’re even together right now. You need to stop being the big bad wolf and let her study in peace.”

“That’s my baby sister, Pey.” Thomas kisses her forehead. “He knows she’s off limits.”

“I’m going home too,” Avery adds next, not allowing Peyton to get another word in. “Leave her be. Girls have needs too.”

Oliver's fingers find his ears, and he makes a cringe face. “This is all too much for me.”

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