Page 117 of The Surprise Play
What was I thinking?
I should have taken the time to change.
This is the worst idea ever!
I hate being rushed, and I should have just said no. I could have waited for Wily to come get me later. Or I could have freaking walked over by myself!
It would have given me time to shower and put nice clothes on, but no, I had to run out the door in my slouchy sweats, looking like a total slob and now falling on my ass for the world to see.
“Are you okay?” a voice calls, and I glance up in time to see the pretty Black girl limping back toward me.
It’s Nylah. It has to be. She was waving at Carson before, and…
Oh shit, this is so humiliating!
I struggle to my feet, not wanting her to have to help me. Wouldn’t want to strain one of her perfectly slim muscles, right?
Brushing off my stinging hands, I nod when she approaches and mumble, “I’m fine.”
“You didn’t hurt yourself?” She touches my arm, giving it a little rub. Her eyes are so full of genuine concern, and I stare at her, waiting for the laughter to break through.
People can only hold their worried frowns for so long.
But nope.
She’s still not laughing.
I swallow and rasp, “I’m fine, really.”
Smoothing my hands down my coat, I ignore the burn and wish the pavement had cracked and swallowed me up when I notice Carson sauntering toward us.
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!
“You okay?” he calls, and I nod, not wanting to look at him.
“I might just go back inside.” I point over my shoulder. “I don’t want to hold you guys up, so… you go.”
“And show up at the house without you?” Carson snickers, gliding his hand around Nylah’s waist and kissing her forehead in greeting before looking at me with his hard, piercing gaze. “Doubt it, lady.”
“W-what?” I dig my hands into my coat pockets, hoping to warm them up. Maybe they’ll hurt less that way.
“What Carson is so eloquently trying to say”—Nylah pats his stomach—“is that Wily will be really disappointed if we show up without you. I’m guessing he knows you’re coming?”
“Yep.” Carson nods. “He just texted me and said I had to bring you back to the house. So…” He tips his head toward Wily’s truck. “Let’s go.”
“Are you… are you sure? I don’t want to encroach.”
Carson snickers and shares a quick look with Nylah before glancing back at me. “You have to come with me, kid. Wily will have my ass if I show up without you.” His eyes start to twinkle. “And I know you know what pissed off looks like on that guy. It’s not pretty.”
I frown, confused by the statement.
How does he know that I know anything?
How much has Wily told him about me? About us?
My insides flush with even more embarrassment as I shuffle after them, reluctantly climbing into the back seat of the truck.
Carson gives me a hand up, and I can’t help a soft hiss when the fabric of my sweats digs into my knee.
