Page 67 of Shutout
My knee bumps hard under the table. Heads turn my way and I hide half of my face behind my hand. And it’s a good thing, because with how hot my cheeks are, I know I’m red like a stoplight. It’s the curse of being such a blondie.
That’s when I catch our two other group mates on Liv’s other side, watching me like they’re this close to cackling like hyenas. Even if they didn’t hear the exchange clearly, there’s no doubt they know my mind is firmly in the gutter.
That’s where it stays the rest of the class until at the end, the lecturer drops a bomb. “Now, for the second half of the semester we’re going to work on a similar exercise. For that, you’re going to form new groups.”
Liv and I exchange a glance. I’m glad she’s as distraught as I am.
“Pairs, actually,” the lecturer continues saying, “so that this time the conversations are deeper.”
Someone at the front raises a hand. “Question. Can it be with someone from the previous group?”
The lecturer sighs, either tired or bored out of his mind. “Sure. But I have the scripts from today’s presentations, so if you talk about the same topics, I’ll flunk you.”
Some guy two rows under ours turns to Liv. Before he can open his pie hole, I slide my arm around her shoulders. “Tag, you’re it.”
Liv’s eyebrows arch in a haughty way. “Fine, at least I know you’re not a slacker.”
“So you guys will pair up?” Emily asks us, blinking in a weird way. Is she okay?
“Um, yeah. I guess.” Liv’s voice darkens.
“Good luck, then.” Alyssa winks at Liv, and this makes her grow stiff as a plank.
“What’s that about?” I ask.
Liv swivels a murderous look at me. “Nothing. Can you get your tree trunk of an arm off my chair?”
“But it’s more comfortable this way.”
Pursing her lips, she reaches over behind her and lifts my arm up. I let her, but then leave my arm all over her space on purpose. When class ends, she jumps to her feet in an attempt to leave faster. Except our now former group mates take their sweet ass time, and I have no motivation to get out of Liv’s way.
I chuckle behind her after we’ve left the classroom and she’s still stomping her feet. “What’s got you hot and bothered, Aceituna?”
She grinds to a halt. “I am not hot. In case your eyes are failing you, I’m wrapped up from head to toe and I’m breathing little clouds.” This is true, basically only the top of her head pokes over a thick black scarf.
I jam my hands in the pockets of the Tom Ford coat I paired with my suit for today’s presentation. “Fine, why are you so annoyed, then?”
“Because—” She stops herself by gritting her teeth. “Nothing.”
“Would you look at that? I can feel my curiosity growing by the second.”
Liv resumes walking. The strap of her bag slides down her shoulder, but she’s wearing so many thick layers that she can’t pull it up on her own. I push her struggling hand away and lift the strap back to her shoulder. I catch myself right before leaning down to kiss the wrinkle off her forehead.
“Thanks… giving,” I blurt out instead, grasping at straws.
“What about it?”
“Bye guys!” The girls who were our group mates walk around us with their third friend. I wave at them and as they turn away, I let that same hand travel through my hair.
Liv’s attention is pulled by a lock of hair that’s now fallen on my forehead, and I leave it there. “So, I was wondering what you’re doing this Thanksgiving.” I was wondering no such thing, but now I’m thankful for my brain coming up with that random topic change because I legitimately want to know.
“Well, the usual. The prodigal daughter and son are coming home with their spouses, so it’s going to be the same big mess of every year.” She looks down at the opening between my coat. “And you?”
“The usual too. A miserable dinner at my father’s.”
Liv bites that lower lip I desperately wish to be biting for her instead. “Would you… like to come over? I mean, since we’re on speaking terms now, and all.”
My eyebrows rise. “You mean, since we have resumed our best-friendship?”
