Page 29 of Another Love, Another Time
LIAM: U take it easy on me? I know U better than that.
RIVER: I guess we’ll find out how well you think you know me. Gotta go, more practicing.
“What’s got you smiling like that?” Logan asks with one eyebrow raised.
“Oh, just texting a friend,” I answer.
“Hey, let’s take a picture of the two of us,” Logan declares and grabs me in a side hug. Then, he seizes my phone and changes it to selfie mode. We both make silly faces. Just as he lowers it, I see a message come in from Liam. I try to grab it, but he raises it above my head while he reads it. “Who’s Liam? And he says he’s going to show you how much he knows you?” He’s smirking at me. My face grows hot. “Well?” he questions again when I don’t respond.
“He’s a boy I go to school with… who I’m kind of talking to.” I shrug it off like it’s no big deal.
“Aw, Riv, do you have your first boyfriend?”
“No, he’s not my boyfriend. We are just hanging out and talking,” I snap, despite myself. I couldn't care less what these people think of me.
He smirks. “Good for you, River. It’s about time.”
I give him a questioning look. Logan just shakes his head.
It’s my turn, so I grab my ball and pitch. Then, Melissa walks over as I return to my chair. I almost forgot she was even here. That’s a first.
“Hey, Melissa,” I say, trying to be friendly.
“How does it feel to be excluded?” She smirks.
“Um, excluded from what?” I question. I know what she’s trying to rub in my face, but I’m not giving her anything.
“Not being included in Auggie’s group. I guess you’re not number one in his life anymore.”
I laugh at her remark. “Melissa, I hate to break it to you, but I have no clue what you’re talking about. We are bowling with a bunch of people. What do you expect?” I sound a lot more nonchalant than I feel. I can’t let her know that it bothers me. She’s such a brat.
Just then, one of the girls playing in our lane comes up to me. “Missy, I think you need to head back over to your neck of the woods.”
Melissa scoffs but turns around and walks away.
I think the girl’s name is Gracie, and I tell her, “Thanks for that. Are you friends?” I hope they aren’t.
“Not really. We all hang out in the same group, but I don’t trust her as far as I can throw her. You know what I mean?”
“I know what you mean. She’s my cousin.”
Her eyes widen like she just stuck her foot in her mouth.
I laugh so hard I bend over. “You should see your face. Don’t worry. The feeling’s mutual when it comes to her.”
She’s still laughing when she says, “Yeah, you had me. I was trying to think of something to backpedal. I don’t usually talk crap about people, but I definitely don’t want to do it to someone’s family.” She says hesitantly, “I promise your secret is safe with me. I don’t care for her at all.” She shrugs. “And you looked like you needed saving.”
“Not from her. Believe me, I’ve had enough practice to last a lifetime.”
“So you’re the ‘River’?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, Auggie and Logan are always talking about you and how cool you are. I’m assuming that’s why Amber has him all the way in Antarctica to keep him away from you. She must feel threatened by you.” She snorts.
“Clearly. I don’t mean to brag, but I think I’m pretty cool. How do you deal with those girls?” I ask.
“Well, it depends on who you ask, but yeah, a lot of them act like that. Those two don’t act like that to me because they don’t feel threatened by me. I have a boyfriend.” She points over to a boy with a red baseball cap. “So they leave me alone.” She shrugs like it's no big deal. We look back over to him when he calls her name. “I think we are going to head out. His mom is almost here to take us home. It was nice to finally meet you.”
