Page 60 of Snap Shot

My shoulders rise and fall. “We were friends at one point.”

“Friends?” Indi snorts. “Not sure that’s what you call someone you harassed.”

“I don’t remember that.” I shift from the couch to the ottoman, so we face each other.

She looks past me to the fire, its orange hues reflecting in the dark browns of her eyes. “You faked a friendship.”

“I didn’t.” I leaned forward, setting my coffee down and resting my elbows on my knees. “I swear, Indi.”

“But I overheard you guys after the last practice.” Returning the same fleeting, softened gaze as when I asked for her number as teens, she holds my focus.

“Whoa. What's with you, Landy? You like her or something?”

“No,” I lied.Yes. God, I like her so much. But I'll get crucified if I say so.“It's not cool to talk about girls like that.”

“Indi and Landon sittin' in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G.”

“Shut up! I don't like her, okay?”

“I don't know, you hang out with her a lot for someone who doesn't like her.”

“No, I don't.” The second time I denied it, I was sure they'd buy it. “We wait for our parents at the same time. I'm being nice. I barely know her.”

Landon, you jerk.

“Indi…” I inch forward so our knees nearly touch. “I didn't mean it.”

She swallows and keeps her eyes down. “Sure, you didn’t. Didn’t mean to laugh after hiding my gear either.”

My legs straddle hers at the edge of the couch when I scoot forward further. Her body stiffens at the proximity. “Please look at me. I would never.”

Watery eyes peer back, and a painful lump grows in my throat along with an ache in my chest. “The guys told me you’d forgotten it.”

Of course, she'd hate me. She thought I was in on it. “I'm so sorry I didn’t know about them taking your stuff. And I shoulda stood by our friendship. I liked you more than any of them.” Way more.

Hands clasped, I retreat and lower my head, hiding how glossy my own eyes have gotten. “I'm sorry. I was a stupid kid who didn't want to get made fun of.”

Silence hangs between us, but it's no longer a heavy rain cloud. It's the stray, dreamy gusts of wind after the storm.

“Hey.”

Her palm finds my forearm, resting there with the gentlest caress. It's the most tender moment we've shared in the past month. Goosebumps prickle my skin when she recedes.

“Thanks for apologizing.”

Leaden remorse lifts from my heart, if only a little. A few more moments pass. I have lots of making up to do, and I'll start with making her smile.

“Thank you for listening. Now…” I down the last of my coffee. “Where's my apology?”

“Pfft. For what, exactly?”

“For that absolutely brutal beating you gave me this morning.”

“No can do. It's not my fault you can't ski.” Indi nestles back into the couch and mewls out a yawn. “Sorry, not sorry.”

“Tired?” She nods. “Must be draining to be such a badass.”

“It really is.”

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