Page 192 of As the Rain Falls
“Yeah, I am.” I tilt my head towards the fruit basket, smoothly switching the topic of conversation. After all, whatever reaction he might be willing to give me doesn’t really matter unless he is ready to do something about it. “What is all this?”
Beckett stares at me, unimpressed.
I try to stifle a laugh.
“Well is giving some stuff away. We’re overflowing with bananas.”
I gasp, “I love bananas! This smells so good.”
The bright yellow fruit glows at my feet, looking so fresh.
“I can’t believe you’re giving me all this for free.”
“You took care of my dog,” he tells me, like it’s nothing. His thumb caresses the back of my hand, making my heart jump. “I thought you’d like me to return the favor.”
“I wasn’t expecting you to pay me back. You know that, right?” I glance at him again, ignoring the way his cargo pants hit the floor, worn out at the bottom from all the farm work.His shirt fits him so nicely, his strong arms looking like something I could really hold onto if I needed it.
“We’re friends.”
“The bestest.” Beckett gives me an once-over, looking away after he realizes what he’s done. “But I really wanted to.”
I bite my lower lip, knowing my makeup makes me look good tonight. I did it just right, smoothing out the brown eyeshadow for a perfect smokey look. My lips are glossy, full, and pouty. With my bracelets, rings, and the golden hoops from the flea market near the beach, I know I look perfect.
Beckett isn’t looking at me now, but he does want to.It’s commendable and sweet that he is trying this hard to be respectful, but it’s also not the reaction a girl wants when she’s getting dressed up.
I know, I know. It’s just because I look really good, and he doesn’t like me like that, but it’s not like I’m flirting or anything.We’re just having a neighborly conversation, aren’t we?
Like I said before, we’re goodfriends,him and I.
He steps back suddenly and drops my hand. I move further away, feeling a shot of electricity running through me. It feels good to me, though I probably shouldn’t be feeling that way anymore.
“Angelina’s back at school.”
My head shoots up. Last time, I sort of had to push him into talking about her. This time, he is willingly opening up. I want to choose to take it as a sign he wants to open up to me again, but what if it isn’t?
My thoughts are clouded.
Beckett leans against the kitchen counter, and I start to dig through the basket, checking to see what kind of fruits he bought me. I see lemons, tangerines, a coconut, red tomatoes, and a few cucumbers.
Good news is, I won’t have to check the vegetable aisle at the supermarket this week.
“Yeah, I saw her,” I finally answer. “Is she doing okay?”
The bags under Beckett’s eyes aren’t quite as pronounced as they used to be, but he still carries a lingering tiredness in his face. He is healing, it’s just going to take some time.
“She’s getting better,” he says, but I can tell it’s a lie.
“I think she’s really strong,” I admit, mostly to myself. “Even if I’m not her biggest fan, Angelina is a strong girl who’s going through a very hard time.”
At hearing that, Beckett gives me a pleading look. “Listen, I know you guys aren’t close, but hear me out. I need you to go easy on her.”
I sigh, “And I haven’t?”
“She told me what happened at the library,” he suggests. “Listen, I know you’re with Caleb now, and I respect that. But Angelina was just trying to do the right thing.”
“The right thing?” I echo, now rolling my eyes.
It’s unsurprising that she didn’t mention me defending her in biology, but it still irks me. She’s kind of making me look like the bad guy.
