Page 56 of Catch the Sun

“Yes.”

“I’d rather go alone.” He huffs behind me as I stalk to the foyer where I left my shoes. I glance over at Dad who is now sprawled out on his stomach, face smashed into a couch cushion. “Fuck you, by the way.”

“What?” McKay scoffs, offended. “I think you mean,you’re welcome.”

“No. I mean,fuck you. I’m not going to the dance with Libby and I’m not having sex with Libby. Stay out of my business.”

“She wants you, man, and she’s cute as hell. Maybe if you got yourself a little action, you wouldn’t be so edgy lately.” McKay slips into his own sneakers and trails me out the front door.

I run ahead of him, my gaze skating briefly to Ella’s ranch house across the street. She’s sitting cross-legged on her front porch with a giant book in her lap and a spool of thread between her teeth. The image has me slowing my pace and hesitating at the edge of the driveway. Our eyes meet across the dirt road and I lift my hand with a wave.

She one-ups my wave, spits out the spindle woven with white, and cups both hands around her mouth. “Hey, Max!”

I’m grinning like a doofus when McKay comes up behind me and bumps my shoulder with his.

“Are we running?” he asks, sounding impatient.

I don’t reply and instead jog across the street to Ella’s front yard. “Hey,” I say back to her. “Bookbinding?”

“Yup. I bought a copy of that book we’re reading in English class. I’menjoying it.” Her eyes pan to my left.

McKay is standing beside me, toeing a mound of dirt. “Hey, Sunbury.”

“Hi.”

“Max and I were just discussing Fall Fling next week. I invited Libby. If you need a ride, we’d be happy to take you. There’s space in the truck if you don’t mind squishing in with the girls.”

My blood boils. Every muscle locks as I roll my jaw and close my eyes. When I open them slowly, releasing a calming breath, the glimmer of that smile Ella was wearing has vanished.

Her eyes dim but she recovers well. “I’m not going, but thanks for offering. Have fun.” She returns to her bookbinding process like we’re not even there.

I’m not sure what to say. I’ve always hated going to the dumb dances, but McKay drags me along every year. Last Fall Fling was a total bust. I went with Libby, who was sweet but clingy, and she smelled like pickles. I had no intention of going this year until the idea of going with Ella actually sparked an interest.

The sound of her laughter at the lake the other day hasn’t left my mind since it spilled out of her, all bare-boned joy and raw feeling. The echo of it lingers, inciting a yearning to be the one who makes her laugh like that again.

In a friendly way, of course.

Because I’m pretty sure we’re friends now—realfriends. And it’s been a damn long time since I’ve had one of those.

I scrub a hand through my hair and watch as she tinkers with the thread and hums something under her breath. “Are you sure you don’t want to go? McKay invited Libby. I’m not going with her.” Something nags at me to clarify that. “Could be fun.”

“Could be,” she answers dismissively. When her head pops up, the smile is back. It doesn’t reach her eyes, but it’s there. “If one were to enjoy exaggerated balloon arches, a gymnasium that reeks of pit stains, and the dubious honor of sharing the dance floor with sweaty teenagers gyrating to overplayed eighties music while parent chaperones eyeball us like they’re undercover agents waiting to make their move, it could certainly be fun.”

So damn dramatic.

The corner of my mouth quirks up and I cross my arms. “We’ll make it fun.”

She hesitates.

She knows we will.

Still, Ella wrinkles her nose and lowers her eyes. “I’m good. I have a crap ton of homework to catch up on from my brush with death. Let me know how it goes.”

Disappointment filters through me.

I’d do some pretty shady shit to see this girl dancing, head-thrown-back laughing, and all dolled up in a pretty dress, having the time of her life. Alas, I’ll only sound like I’m begging at this point, so I retreat with dignity. “All right, Sunny. See you tomorrow.”

“See ya.” She doesn’t glance up.

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