Page 134 of A Little Complicated

“She’s not there?”

“She, uh, she got the flu, so my dad picked her up early,” I explain, but even I can hear the dullness in my words.

“Oh.” She hesitates. “Did you get it too? No offense, but you sound…off.Are you okay?”

I clear my throat. “Yeah. Uh, I’m not feeling so hot, either.”

“Aw, man. That sucks.”

“Yeah, it’s a real bitch,” I mutter.

“It’s too bad I didn’t move in yesterday, so I could already be there and make you some soup,” she mentions. “Actually, that’s a lie. We both know I don’t cook. But I’m a hell of a DoorDasher. I could order you some mean soup.”

I smile despite the tears gathering in my eyes. “That actually sounds pretty awesome. I’ve missed you.”

“Ditto,” she replies. “Although I’m still a little peeved we’re next-door neighbors with my brothers and all.”

Rolling onto my side, I point out, “Jaxon found a place of his own, so he won’t be a problem, and Griff isn’tthatbad. If you want to feel sorry for anyone, you should feel sorry for Finley. She came to the game yesterday, and Everett spent the whole time barking at his teammates for even looking at her.”

Dylan chuckles. “Everett’s always had a stick up his ass, so I’m not sure why anyone’s surprised when he acts like that.”

“Good point.”

“Speaking of the guys, why don’t you have one of them bring you soup, or do I need to pull Archer’sBest Friend of the Yearaward? Actually, I take it back. We both know I’m the one with the title. But seriously, you should make him take care of you until I get there.”

I look down at my comforter, rubbing the thin cotton sheets between my fingers as the reality of my situation washes over me. “I’m not exactly on Archer’s good list right now, so I don’t think it’s possible.” The words hit me hard, and my voice breaks. The ache. For our friendship. Everything.

“What happened?” she prods. “Fill me in.”

“I will when you get here.”

“Come on, don’t make me wait. At least give me a little something to tide me over.”

“Let’s just say Mystery Man popped back up on my radar, and things got messy.”

“Wait, liketheMystery Man?”

I grimace. “Yeah.”

“Yikes. I mean, I knew he was at LAU, but… Okay, I’m totally making my dad drop me off early so I can hear all the details.”

“Don’t tell them, please? Your parents,” I clarify.

“About what?” she asks.

“All the drama,” I mutter, clearing my throat. “I’m…not ready to face the consequences yet.”

“Sure thing, Lia. Your secret’s safe with me.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you soon.”

* * *

Dylan showed up early,banging on my door at one in the afternoon with her parents and a small trailer in tow. After Uncle Colt carried everything inside and Aunt Ashlyn stocked our freezer with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, they made us promise we’d be at brunch next weekend and kissed us goodbye.

A few minutes later, I experience deja vu with Finley and her parents until boxes litter the family room, and I'm pretty positive I’ll never have another moment of peace for the rest of my college career.

“I can’t believe we’re all finally here!” Finley squeals. She pulls me into a hug, reaches for Dylan’s arm, and forces her to join in.

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