Page 128 of Hooking Up
Ryan forces a smile.
Brendon is nothing like he was on the hike. There isn't a single sign of annoyance on his face. He has his arms around Kaylee and he's happy as a clam.
She is too.
They're like a poster for a teen drama.The cute innocent blond and the tattooed bad boy. How will it play out? Tune in tomorrow at ten.
They're clearly the endgame couple.
Leighton—the girl with the purple-grey hair—smiles like she can't believe how relieved she is to see me. "It's always such a sausage fest here. Nice to have another face."
Dean steps in. He shakes his head, sending his wavy hair in every direction. His blue eyes fix on hers. "Please. You love being surrounded by dick."
"Not like this." She winks at him. "Stop reading my journal."
"It's too hot. I can't," he teases back.
"Uh-huh." She shakes her headisn't he ridiculous?
I nod. He's a lot of things. Ridiculous is pretty high up the list.
I turn back to Walker. "Go. Talk to your friend. I'm fine."
He arches a brow. "You sure?"
"Yeah. It's his birthday. Tease him about getting old. And—what did you get him?" I ask.
Walker's smile spreads over his cheeks. "Dean and I went in on that together."
"What is it?" I ask.
Dean laughs.
Walker too.
They share a look—the kind of look I used to share with Lily. That best friendswe're the only people who get each other thing.
"Oh please." Leighton shakes her head. "You were talking about it forever." She moves closer to me. Leans in to whisper. "They got him a blow-up doll."
I look to my definitely not a boyfriend. "Why?"
"Hey, if he's not gonna move on to a woman, why not try this substitute?" Dean offers.
"It's cheaper than you'd think," Walker says.
"And my boy tested the equipment." Dean winks at me. "Hope you aren't jealous."
"You… you didn't, right?" I'm pretty sure he's teasing. Because giving someone a used blow up doll… and Walker wouldn't. Right?
"Yeah. Of course." Walker laughs.
Ryan joins us. He takes a long swig from his red solo cup, gives the group a long once-over, shakes his head. "Can't believe I fell for thiswe need to have a meeting Saturday night because it's always deadshit."
"It wasn't our finest work," Walker admits.
"Speak for yourself," Dean says.
"Yeah. Dean's proud when he can tie his shoes," Leighton says.
