Page 131 of Between the Lines

I text my sister that I’ll pick her up after school, and try to quell the shaking in my bones at what it means to have Nathan in tow.

fifty-two

nathan

We’re still technically sneaking around,but we’re doing it out in the open now. If that even makes sense.

Exceptnoneof this makes sense. And yet, when I’m with Claire, all of the nonsense tumbles away, if only for a moment.Nonsensethis morning looked like almost getting caught with my hands up her skirt by Joe Petersen, and I can’t lie and say there was a moment where I didn’t care if my job was on the line. A job I don’t even like, for the woman I’m very quickly starting to tumble head over heels for? It seems like a fair trade-off.

But this job is the only thing keeping me mildly afloat, keeping my parents’ house within reach. When it all comes down to it, which am I going to reach out for the next time I’m drowning: the house, or her?

Claire is on her way over, using an excuse that a book she loaned me is due back at the library, and we’ll orchestrate my follow-along from there. If it means I get to see her outside the school building, I’m all ears.

I’m reading by the front door when I hear the scratch of her tires, the slam of her door, and the voices that follow.

“…loaned him a book. I’ll just grab it and we can head out. You can seriously stay in the car.”

“Not a chance. You said this was the assistant principal’s house and that asshole owes me a rematch.”

“Language, Zoey!”

The bell rings, and I have the door open before the chime is finished.

“Claire. I have that book you were asking about.”

“Thank you.” She steps inside, and my home instantly feels less empty. “You remember Zoey?”

“How could I forget?”

Zoey scowls, her tightly curled hair in frizzy disarray, much like it had been when I’d walloped her at chess.

“Have you been practicing what I taught you?”

Her arms remain crossed over her chest, but the haughty tilt of her head tells me she’s onlyslightlyannoyed to be here.

“Of course. I haven’t lost a match since. Granted, I would have taught myself something like that eventually.”

“Of course,” I say on a huffed chuckle. “The book is in the study. I’ll go get it.”

“You have astudy?”

Zoey pushes past Claire to follow, but Claire extends her arm, blocking her sister. Her cheeks turn a specific shade of pink—the last time I saw that shade, we’d beeninthe study.

“We aren’t here for a house tour. He’s getting the book and we’re leaving.”

It takes less than a minute for me to return with my own library book that Claire is returning for me—the one I picked up on the way home, so I’d have an excuse for her to stop by. When I find them again, Claire and Zoey have their heads pressed together, whispering like sisters do.

“Go ahead,” Claire says, shuffling her sister forward. “Ask him.”

“Do you want to come with us to the library so I can whoop your ass at chess?”

My eyes widen in surprise, and my smile curves upward.

“Zoey! Not likethat!”

Zoey rolls her eyes, but simply tilts her head at me. “So?”

I glance to Claire who, while clearly glad that our plan worked, is also in mom-mode against her sister. She mouthsSorry, and I just smile and shake my head.

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