Page 72 of Matched Up

Megan squealed.‘You have no idea how glad I am to have my friend back.’

‘Me too.Meg?’

‘Yeah?’

‘Do you think Shane has another girlfriend?And that’s the secret?’It hurt to say it.

‘No.No way,’ she said immediately.‘I mean, that would be a total dick move.Did you get any of those vibes?’

‘No.I mean the only thing was that Zoe was really into him and I saw her talking to him one night before practice.’The feelings from that night were back.The jealousy, the anger.‘And she asked him to V-Ball.’

‘Zoe?No way.But sure, Zoe talks to everyone.There’s no chance he’d go for someone like her.’

‘But she’s really pretty.’

‘Sheispretty, but so are you.And you don’t walk around smiling like some AI simulation.’

I burst out laughing.‘That’s true, I guess.’

‘And think about when he had to leave her party?Would it make sense?’Megan asked, in full detective mode.

He had left Zoe’s party early, so I guess it didn’t.But that was my head at the minute.A complete and utter mess.

‘Yeah, you’re right.But there’s something else.I’ve seen someone called Grace messaging him a few times, and he’s never mentioned who she is.’

Megan gave a disapproving snort.‘Ugh, maybe heisa fuckboy.Do you really need that drama in your life?’

I winced at the word she’d used, never thinking it would be used in the context of Shane.I shook my head sadly.

‘And we can have the best night ever on Friday.I’ll help you forget all about Shane.’Megan reached over and squeezed my hand on the steering wheel.‘And the match on Saturday isn’t until midday, so it’ll be totally fine.’

‘Yeah,’ I agreed.Outwardly anyway.

Megan got to work as soon as we got to school, tellingeveryone about thelittleparty, that was turning into a definitely not little party already.

Niall didn’t find out until break time, when he came up to me with a face like thunder.‘Lexie, what the hell?A party?I’m not taking the fall for it.You can explain that one to Mum and Dad yourself.’

‘Nice one, twins.’Hunter slapped Niall on the back.‘Sounds like you’re going to be a bit of craic again finally.’

Niall forced a smile.‘Yeah man, but here, don’t be telling too many people, OK?’

‘You have my word,’ said Hunter.‘You’re not bringing your boyfriend are you, Lexie?’

My stomach lurched.‘No, he can’t come,’ I said.

I could feel Niall looking at me.Megan mustn’t have told him about our conversation last night.I was touched.

Niall’s expression softened.‘Good,’ he said.

‘Aw, come on, man.She’s upset that her boyfriend won’t be there,’ Hunter said.‘Don’t worry, I’ll cheer you up at the party.I’ll bring a keg.Ryan can get me one.’

Hunter was way too into this already.And usually I’d be panicking, but, fuck it, I needed it.

‘Yeah.Niall, chill out,’ I said and smiled sweetly at him.

Megan came over.‘OK, Zoe’s going to tell her lot, I’ll tell the football ones tomorrow night, and Hunter’s already told half the school.It’s going to be a total rager.’She grinned, then her smile disappeared when she saw Niall’s face.

His mood lasted all day.When we got home, he came into my bedroom.