Page 28 of Left-Hand Larceny
“You’d miss a few things.” Hockey, his sister, his grandma. His dog.
He meets my eyes, serious, blue.
“Yes.”
My heart flips in my chest, as if it assumes he meant me. I ignore her.
I reach into my bag for a water bottle and unscrew the top. I hand it to Ragnar without a word. When he takes it, his fingers accidentally brush against mine.
“Sorry if I overstepped,” I say, kicking at a clump of grass with my boot. “I just… I know it’s not easy. Being around people. Making conversation. I wanted to help.”
Ragnar shrugs, shoulders loose, but when we make eye contact, his expression is still serious.
“Th-thank you. F-for thinking a-a-about it. About m-me.”
Everything inside me softens, my spine practically melting as I slouch in what I can only all relief. I didn’t want to let him down. I hate letting anyone down.
“Always.”
It’s hot. I push sweaty strands of hair out of my face and close my eyes against the glare of the late afternoon sun. I lean back on the rough surface of the table, tilting my head back so the sun warms my face. The tips of my fingers slide into the gap between the wood slats on the tabletop.
There’s a nudge against my shoulder, light but deliberate. I crack one eye at Ragnar.
“Y-y-you okay?” He’s frowning as he asks, and I make sure to give him a smile back, trying to ease his worries.
“Just warm.” I tip my head back further, my braid brushing the top of the table as I look at him from the corner of my eye. “Are you free tonight? After this?”
“Yes.”
“Everyone’s going for drinks after this.” I shrug, doing a poor job of looking casual.
He nods slowly, but says nothing. Waiting for me to say more.
“I think you should come.”
“Sh-should I?”
I sit up. This time I’m the one frowning.
“Yeah. You showed up today. You made conversation. You smiled so hard your face almost cracked.” Not quite, but it probably felt that way for him. “You deserve to celebrate that. Of course you should come.” It occurs to me that maybe I misunderstood him. “Unless you don’t want to. I meant we’d love to have you. Not that you don’t have a choice.” And now I’m rambling again.
Ragnar swallows. “A-are you c-coming t-t-too?”
I hesitate—just a second too long—because I’d like to. I would. But I can’t tonight. I’m already miles behind in two of my classes. I shake my head, no.
“I’ve got to go over some stats homework if I want a hope to pass. But I’ll be there next time.”
“I-I c-could help y-you w-with your homework. Isn’t that the d-deal?”
Or I could make a brief appearance at the party. Just a short one. Then head home to crack open a textbook.
He won’t look at me now, but I desperately want him to. I think tonight would be good for him. I think he’d have fun. Apple picking was better than he thought it would be. This is just a continuation of the celebration. And I’m one hundred and eleven percent sure he won’t go if I bail. My hand finds the top of his thigh, and I curve the tips of my fingers against his muscles.
“I can maybe stay for a little. I did make the birthday cake. Should at least make sure it’s edible.”
“Y-you m-made… the cake?” His brow furrows. “You h-have so many t-t-talents.”
“Mhm.” I pull my braid around my shoulder and play with the tail. Anything to keep my fingers busy. “Chocolate with caramel filling. Spent all night trying to keep my dad from eating half of it.” It took hours, but I was actively avoiding studying. And I felt supremely guilty that I’d be missing the second half of Maddie’s celebration.
