Page 61 of Come Break My Heart Again

“I’ve got some vodka hidden in my closet,” Keira tells me.

I lie back on her bed, relaxing against the same pink comforter she’s had forever. “I drove here.”

“You can spend the night,” she offers.

“Thanks, but I should get back soon. My parents will want to … discuss tonight’s events.”

“Your dad won’t care.”

“My mom will though.”

Keira’s silent for a moment, knowing I’m right. “She’ll get over it. She wants you to be happy.”

I grab one of the pillows on her bed, playing with the tassel in the corner. “Why didn’t you tell me you and Tucker have beenflirting?”

“You’ve had a lot going on. And I don’t know what it is really. We don’t talk at school, but we text during lunch and stuff. It’s been kind of fun, keeping it a secret, you know?”

I do know. I know exactly what she means.

“Have you guys kissed?”

“Yeah. At Maddie’s party.”

“Have you met his friends?”

“Other Twos, you mean?”

“I guess.” I keep fiddling with the tassel.

“No. He was alone at the party, and we haven’t hung out in person since. We just text and talk on the phone.”

“What do you guys talk about?”

“Random stuff. He’s not one of those guys who just talks about himself and expects you to listen, you know? He’s a big baseball fan. His mom is gone, so he just lives with his dad.He works at his uncle’s garage. He’s building a coffee table out of scrap stuff he found. He mentions Ryder James a lot.” Keira reaches for her seltzer again.

“I had a thing with him.” I didn’t plan the words; they just came out.

A few drops of water land on my arm as Keira sputters.

“Keira! Gross!”

“WithTucker?” Her voice flies through a couple of octaves, and I know she’s underplaying how much she likes him.

“No. With Ryder.”

“Youhad a thing withRyder James?”

“Uh-huh.”

“When?”

“Freshman year. And, like, a little since he’s been back. There have been a few moments.”

“I … what doyou guystalk about?”

“Everything.”

“Wow. I—wow. I get the physical thing—he’s hot. But he’s so scowly and serious all the time.”

---