Page 63 of Sincerely, Your Enemy

Lacey

“Mindif I borrow her for a second?” A deep, masculine voice interrupts my conversation with Dia.

I spin to see Aaron standing behind me, a polite smile on his chiseled face. He and I haven’t really spoken since our last date. I kind of figured we would go our separate ways and never talk again, but based on what’s happening right now, it seems I was wrong.

“Sure,” Dia says, turning to give me a side hug. “Find me after.”

Whoever invented this “can I borrow her” thing should be locked up. Why should someone else get to decide whether or not I want to beborrowed?

Reluctantly, I shadow Aaron across the living room. I had every intention of keeping my head down, dead set on avoiding eye contact with a certain brown-eyed basketball player, but I catch myself looking ahead for a few seconds.

That’s when I see him, burning holes through my head from a corner of the room.

TJ watches as I shadow Aaron, his gaze thick with hatred, and I feel myself shrink. I thought I was used to TJ giving me the evil eye. He spent half my date with Aaron staring at us with such intensity that his eyes could’ve pierced through steel.

My shoulders unwind when Aaron whisks me away to an isolated spot.

“So… I think we both know our last date wasn’t exactly…”

A small laugh leaves my lips. “No, it wasn’t.”

“I never want to assume anything, so I figured I’d ask you before I jump to conclusions. I’ve just been getting the feeling that maybe you’re not feeling it anymore?”

“I…” I exhale. “No, I’m not. I’m sorry. I realized I’m not in a good place to date right now. I’m so busy taking care of my siblings and?—”

“You don’t have to explain. Really. I completely understand. I’m only asking because I know we’re going to keep running into each other. I just wanted to clear the air. Make sure there’s no awkwardness, you know?”

“Of course. I’m glad you did.”

Our interaction is as brief as it is effective. We’ve just rejoined the party when I spot a drunk Heather stumbling out of the bathroom.

“What isshedoing here?” I think aloud.

No one invited her, I know that much. She’s not welcome after she slept with Chance and betrayed her oldest friend in the process. I’m just glad Bethany isn’t here to witness this. Shedropped out of school to go spend time in the country with her grandma.

“She invited herself,” Aaron answers. “Probably on the lookout for a new prospect.”

The audacity of this girl.

“Hey, you want to be my beer pong partner? I’m up next, and Theo bailed.”

I glance around the room, filled with relief when I don’t see TJ anywhere. Dia, on the other end, is making out with Finn on the couch. It’s not like I have anything better to do.

I shrug. “Sure, why not?”

We’re halfway to the dining room by the time TJ reappears. But the real kicker? He’s waiting for us near the beer pong table. His jaw muscles quiver when he sees us approaching.

Wait, we’re playing withhim?

“Sorry. Got held up,” Aaron tells TJ once we reach him. “Where’s Finn? I thought he was playing?”

TJ shrugs. “Off sucking face with Dia. Whatever. I’ll crush you without him.”

Heather pops up behind him. “I’ll be your partner.”

Where did she come from?

TJ is quiet for a moment, but the charming grin spreading across his face tells me he’s made up his mind.

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