Page 59 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
That makes him smile.
I sit down in my seat and do whatever I can not to replay the scene over and over in my head. Or how amazing Eric’s lips felt against mine.
***
Phoenix is watching Netflix when I enter the house. I drop my bag in the corner of the room and sit down next to her. She gives me a quick smile as she focuses back on her show, but I don’t think it qualifies as a real smile. It’s rare to see her so down like this. She didn’t want to admit it to me, but I know she fell pretty hard for LiamC. But he doesn’t exist. I wish I knew howto help her, but I suck in this department. And anyway, I don’t think anything I say or do can make her feel better. She’ll have to figure this out on her own.
“No live streams today?”
She shrugs. “I promised my viewers I would try a new FPS, but I’m not in the mood.”
Gaming has always been her way to escape, to cope with whatever suckiness was going on in her life. But this time, gaming would just remind her of Liam. And I know anything to do with her channel would remind her of him, too.
I think the only thing I can do for her right now is be with her. Just like she’s been here for me the past two months.
She’s watching an action movie that has zero romance. Which is fine with me because honestly, I don’t want to think about romance, either. Because that would just remind me of the hot kiss I shared with Eric only an hour ago. My lips still tingle and my heart flutters every time the memory bounces in my mind.
I don’t know why I’m obsessing. I bet he hasn’t even thought about it once. I mean, we were justacting out a scene. Why has the reality somehow gotten lost in my brain?
I slip my phone out of my pocket and scan the screen. No texts from Eric. I don’t know why I’m expecting—hoping?—he’d say something. It was just ascene.
Gosh, I’m obsessing again.
“This movie sucks.” Phoenix shuts it and starts browsing for a different one.
I didn’t think it was bad at all, but it might have something to do with the fact that the love interest was introduced.
“Nope,” she says as she passes through the romance options.
I’m a little worried about her. She’s had crushes and boyfriends before, but I don’t think she’s ever felt so strongly about a guy before. I wish I knew what to say to help herget through this. But since I clearly can’t deal with my own…whatever, maybe it’s best I just keep my mouth shut.
“Seriously, is there anything decent to watch?” With a groan, she settles on a documentary on turtles.
I raise my brow. “I didn’t know you were into nature.”
“I’m not.”
“Oh.”
We’re both quiet.
“Do you want to order something?” I ask. “I’m in the mood for pizza.”
“Not really hungry.”
Really? She loves food.
She rolls her eyes. “Don’t look so worried, Kates. I’m fine.”
“I don’t know…”
She folds her arms over her chest and frowns. “I’ll get over it. I didn’t really like him that much, anyway. He cost us the win all the time and then blamed it on me.”
I raise both my brows, knowing very well that’s not true.
She rolls her eyes again and stares at the screen.
“Well, I’m hungry and I’m getting a whole pie.”
