Page 52 of Girls Will Be Girls
Otto interrupts my bumbling, slapping Lou on the back. “Gotta learn to please your woman.”
The tone is jokey, but the energy is anything but friendly.
Lou’s face is stone cold. Zero expression or warmth. I’ve never seen him look like this.
“I’d better go. Things to do.” Otto slaps Lou on the shoulder one more time before turning his smile to me again and stepping up closer. “Hopefully see you around, Louisa.”
All I can manage is a smile, a nod, and a strangled, “Yep.”
I watch as Otto walks out of sight before turning my gaze up to Lou, who’s looking out at the water as if his thoughts are somewhere thousands of miles away.
“Lou.” I step closer to him, my tone gentle as I wait for him to explain what’s going on.
His gaze finally dips, the misty look in his eyes vanishing as he focuses on me and whatever he was thinking about clearing from his mind.
He doesn’t say anything, just looks down at me. His eyes dart between mine like he’s reading something.
I open my mouth to plead with him to tell me what this is all about, but before I can say a word, he cuts me off.
“I need to go.” He says.
“Go?” I rear back, the anger from before finding its way back to me.
He nods.
“But-” I go to protest.
He squeezes my elbow. “Later.”
Then he’s gone. Running off to avoid me again, and the levels of confusion multiply.
What doeslatereven mean?
We’lltalkabout this later? He’llseeme later? Or is it just likelaters, likesee ya, buddy?
I hate this.
I hate him.
I should really stop caring now. If he wants to be wildly confusing, avoid me over god knows what, and be so rage-inducing I could kick him, then so be it. Doesn’t mean I have to sit around waiting for him to be normal again. Doesn’t mean I need to have anything to do with him anymore.
I’m brought out of what must look like a crazy person muttering to themselves when a hand finds my shoulder.
Please.No more confusing boys, I beg of you.
I’ve had my fill for a lifetime.
I turn around to see a mane of red hair, pale freckled skin, and a wide smile. “Hey.”
“Casey. Hi.” I smile back, forcing everything else away.
“What are you doing right now?” She asks, a little out of breath, hiking her overflowing bag higher on her shoulder.
“Right now?” I repeat.
“Yeah.” She nods. “There are no new guests coming today, so they gave me the day off. I’m heading to the beach, wanna come?”
My smile grows wider. “Really?”
