Page 103 of Between the Lines

Aaron, Sam, Drake, and a coach from a neighboring school.

Claire

Having fun?

Nathan

Yes.

No.

Kind of. I wish I was with you instead.

A fist grips around my heart.What the hell do I do with that?Because I wish he was with me, too, damnit. I swallow the lump in my throat, then glance around, noticing that everyone else is still on their phones. Wow, we’re a lively bunch. Lucy has curled herself into a ball, shoulders hunched up to her ears.

Claire

What is Aaron doing right now? Lucy’s face is *red* and she’s on her phone.

Nathan

He is in the bathroom.

I laugh to myself.

Claire

Oooo, those dirty birds.

Nathan

What do you mean?

Lucy leaves the living room with a breathy,I’ll be right back,and I snicker to myself, then roll my eyes at Nathan’s next text.

Claire

They’re definitely texting each other dirty things.

And if they both just disappeared to the bathroom…

Nathan

Oh.

Why did you tell me that?

I won’t be able to look Aaron in the face when he returns.

I bite my thumbnail. I miss Nathan. Now that he’s admitted he wished we were together, I can at least admit it to myself. It’s a little after eight, and honestly, this party might be winding down anyway. The space between my thighs heats as I fire off my next message.

Claire

Maybe you should go back up to your room then. I could get your mind off of Aaron.

Nathan

You’re doing a fine job of it here. I should stay at the table.

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