Page 140 of Crew
"My brother told you about us?" she asked.
"Jordan. Cross didn't know either."
"That's right." Taz blinked a few times, like she was remembering something. "You guys were supposed to be gone all weekend, weren't you? Or coming back tonight?"
I shrugged. "We came back today." I nodded to them. "Congratulations are in order? I feel like you guys have joined Roussou's Hall of Fame for Coupledom." I glanced behind them to the pool, and it was what I had assumed. Sunday Barnes, Monica--all the popular Normals were out there.
"How's your cousin feel about all this?" I asked Race.
"His feelings don't factor into anything I do." Clearing his throat, he asked Taz, "Where's the alcohol? I'll take it out back if you two want to talk."
"Oh." Her frown only deepened, but she grabbed the rum and handed him a few extra wine coolers. "Someone will want these."
He gathered them to his chest, reaching for a few beers too. With a last nod to me, he went back outside, his eyes on Taz as he pulled the patio door closed behind him.
Once it was just the two of us, a whole different feeling settled between us.
It was awkward again, like things had been tipped off-balance.
"Listen, I--" She gestured toward the pool area.
I stopped her with a brisk shake of my head. "Race is a good guy. You're a good girl. You two are perfect for each other." I meant it. I let her hear how genuine I was, and I didn't look away.
She did, her head folding down. Her neck grew red. I heard a sniffle, then she reached up to wipe her eyes.
I hadn't expected that response.
Grasping the counter, I leaned forward. "Are you okay?"
She threw herself at me. Her head landed right in my boobs, and her arms wrapped tightly around me. Her voice came out muffled. "Thank you. I wanted to tell you about Race, but Sunday kept telling me he had a thing for you, and he told me that wasn't the case, but I didn't know and you were gone, but now you're back, and I'm totally rambling and I can't stop. I just can't stop"
"Stop." I put a hand on her forehead and pushed gently.
She leaned back, then laughed. "Thank you." Her arms were still around me, and she snuggled in, pressing her head back to my boobs.
Good thing I didn't have huge boobs, or this might've been more weird.
"I'm sorry for not being around."
I expected her to pull back.
She didn't. She tightened her hold, hugging me harder. "I'm just so glad you're okay." Deep breath. "Cross said you were, that you just needed time, but I didn't know, and you know my brother. He never tells me the real truth when it comes to you. I'm so glad, though. And oh my God, I like Race soo much. You have no idea. All the girls are jealous. If they can't get my brother, they want my boyfriend. I don't know how to handle it, and they're all out there, and I'm so glad you're back."
My hands went to her shoulders. I was ready to push her back so we could have a real conversation when she stepped away, wiping the tears from her face.
"The first semester kinda sucked because you weren't there. But it kinda didn't because there were no big crew brawls happening. Everyone was on good behavior, and then Race happened." A soft smile appeared on her face. She beamed. "Tabatha is so jealous."
"Tabatha?"
"Tabatha Sweets."
The name rolled off her tongue like she said it often. I was a bit impressed.
"You're really moving up in the Roussou world."
Her cheeks pinked, and she ducked her head in a slightly embarrassed way. Moving back to her counter, she secured her wrap, hugging herself.
"You weren't around, and Race wasn't hanging out with the guys. He wasn't hanging out with the Ryersons, so he got snatched up by her crowd." She waved to the pool. "They're all out there."
