Page 43 of Every Broken Promise
“Did ya miss me?” she teased as she wiggled her eyebrows at me. “Hey, Sabby!”
I heard my brother and Sabby laugh, but I was too transfixed looking at Astrid that I couldn’t bother telling them to fuck off. Much like Sabrina, Astrid was also wearing shorts and a tank top, except she didn’t have the boobs and ass like Sabby to look provocative. Where Sabrina’s hair was red, Astrid’s was like sunshine. In the winter, it tended to get darker, but in the summer, her hair looked like she had different shades of blonde highlights all over.
“I don’t get a ‘hey’ anymore?” Ezekiel shot back.
Astrid blushed a bit as my brother spoke to her and said a soft “Hey” to him. My gaze was on her, and my brow furrowed, not sure I liked that reaction.
“What did your mom make for dinner?” I motioned to the box she had brought with her, wanting her attention on me.
“Lentin soup,” she stated, losing the earlier shyness she had.
I must have made a face because she giggled.
“We’re going to the back. So you two stay here, and we will get out of your hair,” Ezekiel stated as Sabby smacked his chest.
Astrid and I waved them over. We had a routine down pat whenever EZ was here on the same days that I was. He would stay with Sabby, and Astrid would keep me company.
“What was that?” I immediately grilled Astrid.
She came inside next to me and plopped down on a crate.
“What are you talking about?”
“With EZ, why did you get all weird?”
She shifted in her seat, and I held my breath. Something inside of me burned, and my blood rose as I waited for her answer.
“He’s a senior,” she stated like that was answer enough.
“And you’ve known him forever.”
She looked at me pleadingly. I didn’t care and glared at her to keep going. We were best friends, and there weren’t supposed to be secrets between us.
“Best friends don’t lie to one another,” I reminded her.
She huffed and crossed her arms, annoyed with me. It was cute whenever she did that, but right now, it meant she was giving in and I had won.
“He’s one of the hottest guys at Willow Grove High.”
My throat constricted, and I wished I hadn’t pressed for her to answer.
“You like my brother?” I asked the question before I could even filter myself.
“No!” she said a little too quickly.
Was she lying?
“He’s older and good-looking. You blush when Sabby kisses your cheek!” She pointed at my chest, and this time, I could see the accusation in her eyes.
,
“I don’t like to be kissed,” I responded which wasn’t a lie. I wasn’t all touchy-feely like Adam was. Sure, Sabby was hot, but I’ve known her my whole life, plus she was my brother’s girl.
“But you think she’s hot,” she pressed. “I mean, look at her. She looks amazing in everything she wears.” She then used her hand to motion to herself. “I look so plain next to her.”
The anger I previously felt was gone now that I could detect Astrid’s insecurities.
“She’s a senior,” I gently reminded her.
