Page 56 of We Thought We Were Invincible
“Car is gassed up,” Aunt Kat said, running through her checklist. “Water. Food. Batteries. Candles. Flashlights.”
“I'll get the hurricane shutters put up,” Noah said. “Though I doubt we'll need them.”
“Thanks, sweetie.” Kat leaned in for a kiss before he went out.
I regarded her for a moment. “I'm glad you're happy, Aunt Kat.”
She looked at me, surprise shining in her eyes. “What's going on with you, Callie?” She laughed. “You've been way too chipper lately.”
I shrugged.
“If I didn't know better, I'd say there was a guy involved. You were always nicer when you were with Jay.”
I grabbed a towel off the counter and snapped her with it.
“Are you and Jay back together?”
“Did I hear my name?” Jay walked in, flashing us a grin.
I threw the towel down and went to him, very aware of Kat's eyes on us. “What are you doing here?”
He leaned in to whisper. “Why is she looking at us like that?”
“She thinks we're back together.”
He threw his head back with a laugh. “Then this will be a surprise.” As soon as he said it, a tall girl with long honey brown hair and a flawless complexion walked in.
“This is Brandy,” he said.
She walked over, suddenly making me feel small.
“Kat.” Jay raised his voice. “This is my girlfriend.”
Kat shook her head with a laugh and went to help Noah.
“I've heard a lot about you, Callie.” Brandy’s voice didn't match her appearance. It was sweet.
“What are you guys doing here?” I asked him for the second time.
“Heard you had a hurricane day from school.” He shrugged. “Our Monday classes were canceled, so we decided to come hang.”
Commotion came from the door. Jamie and Colby were arguing about something. By the time they got inside, Colby had his arm swung over Jamie's shoulders in a headlock. Morgan followed behind them.
“What's going on?” I asked.
Morgan shrugged. At the sound of my voice, Jamie stopped and looked up grinning. Then he saw who was next to me and the grin faded.
“Hey, brother,” Jay said.
“Jay.” Jamie nodded.
Introductions were made all around with Brandy and we all settled into the living room. They sandwiched me between Colby and Jamie on the couch.
The movie we put on couldn't hold my interest and I found myself hyper-aware of the boy next to me. Jamie put his hand on my knee and I swatted it away with a stern look, wishing he could do it again.
“Stop fidgeting,” Colby said. On the other side of him, Morgan gave me a knowing look.
Jay was watching us, curiosity alight in his eyes.
