Page 37 of Don't Let Me Go
“Are we good now?” I ask.
Jackson considers. Then, with a grin, he runs a finger across my cheek, scoops up a dab of whipped cream, and pops it into his mouth.
“We’re good.”
Chapter 14
Jackson
Riley was right.Xanaduis kind of unwatchable. Even Duy, who was the one who suggested I come over and watch the movie, checks out halfway through the film and spends the next forty-five minutes texting on their phone. Not that I blame them.
“Well,” I yawn when the credits roll after what feels like a short eternity. “That is one movie I willneverforget.”
“I know, right? What a mess!” Duy laughs, finally putting their phone down on the glass coffee table. “But kind of a brilliant mess. Like, how many drugs must the people who made this film have been on? I’m guessingallthe drugs.”
“For sure.” I chuckle. Despite the epic badness of the movie, I had a good time tonight. Duy might not have said a lot, but what they did say was always entertaining.
“Anyway, thanks for coming over for movie night. Sorry I was so distracted.”
“No worries,” I assure them. “Looked like you and someone were having an important conversation.”
“That remains to be seen,” Duy replies with a cryptic smile.
Before I can ask what they mean, Ms. Nguyen pokes her head into the living room to remind Duy that it’s almost ten. Duy rolls their eyes at the mention of their curfew, but I take the hint not to overstay my welcome. I thank Ms. Nguyen for her hospitality, hop off the sofa, and make my way to the door.
The night air is muggy when I step outside. But Duy lingers in the doorway, letting a cool breeze of AC escape into the soupy Florida evening.
“I’m glad you and Riley are becoming friends,” they announce just as I’m about to stroll away.
The comment comes out of the blue, and for some reason, it stops me in my tracks. Duy’s tone and smile seem genuine. But the words feel pointed as they hang in the air between us. Almost like a challenge. Or a test.
“Uh?.?.?.?yeah. Me too.”
“Riley doesn’t have many. Friends, that is,” Duy explains. “He’s kind of got major trust issues on account of some drama that went down his first year at Olympus. I don’t know all the details. I wasn’t there. But suffice it to say, Riley has a hard time trusting people. Especially boys. That’s one of the reasons I’m always trying to introduce him to new people and expand our friend group. I know he thinks it’s because I’m boy crazy, and, whatever, maybe sometimes I am, but nine times out of ten, the boys I bring around are for him. Because I’m worried about him and about how closed off he’s getting.”
“Oh,” I say, unsure how else I’m supposed to respond.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Duy continues. “Audrey, Tala, and I love him. But we can’t be his whole life. He needs to start opening up and stop pushing away anyone who tries to get close. Because as much as Riley likes to play the cynical loner who looks down on humanity, he needs people. He needs friends. He needs—” Duy stops and studies me carefully. “Goodfriends. Riley needsgoodfriends.”
I’m not exactly sure what Duy means bygood friends. But I’ve seen firsthand everything they’re describing. Riley is definitely someone with a lot of walls, and if I can help break some of them down, I’m more than happy to do it.
“Of course,” I agree. “Riley’s a great guy. I’d like to be his friend.”
Duy continues to study me, their dark eyes scrutinizing my face like they’re trying to peer inside my brain. “Good,” they conclude. “Glad we’re on the same page. Because if you hurt him, I swear to Diane von Furstenberg, I willendyou.”
“Wh-what?” I stammer, caught off guard by Duy’s abrupt threat. But Duy just smiles.
“Anyway, thanks for coming over! Tonight was so much fun! Byeeeeeee!”
With an effusive wave, Duy shuts the door in my face.
For a solid ten seconds I’m too surprised to move. Mainly because I have no idea what just happened.
I get people wanting to look out for their friends. And wanting to protect them. But that conversation was justweird. I mean, Duy’s acting like Mr. Adams did the first time I came over to pick up Micaela for a date. Except, oddly, I’m way more scared of Duy than I ever was of Mr. Adams.
I wonder if Duy found out about Devon. That would explain their sudden need to lay down the law. Or maybe they got worried when they saw me roughhousing with Riley this morning. Do they think I was picking on him? Or bullying him?
Oh, crap. DoesRileythink I was bullying him?
