Page 110 of Friends Like This

“I’m sure it’s not easy for him to see you so close to another guy.”

“I’m sure it isn’t. But I’ve worked hard to put more space between Aaron and me, yet Davey continues pushing me away.”

“Have you talked to him about it? He seemed very focused on you last night.”

“A bit. When he’s with me, he’s great. When he’s not… I don’t know. I’m letting it play out right now and seeing what happens.”

Mom gives me a little smile and squeezes my hand. “I think that’s okay. You’re seventeen. Life doesn’t have to be complicated and serious all the time.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

There’s a knock on the front door. I hop up and open it, surprised to see Joel’s brother, Jesse, standing there, all freckles, dimples, and messy hair.

“Hey, Rae Rae.”

“Hey, J. What’s up? You wanna come in?”

He shakes his head. “Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to go for a little walk?”

I cock an eyebrow at him. He’s acting suspicious. But it’s Jesse. It’s not like we’re gonna get intotoo muchtrouble. “Sure. Let me go change quick.”

“I’ll meet you out front.”

I shut the door behind me and look at Mom. “Go on, have fun,” she says.

I smile brightly and head out of the room.

“Rae?”

I look back at her.

“One piece of advice. If you think you might seriously have feelings for Aaron, you owe it to yourself to consider that. And you owe it to Davey not to string him along.”

I give her a soft nod. “Yeah. Thanks, Mom.”

“So, what the hell are we doing, J? You never stop by and want to go for a walk,” I note as we turn the corner onto Front Street. I can see his house halfway down the block.

He smiles his most troublemaking smile at me. “Actually, I was on a secret mission to get you to come with me.”

“A secret mission?”

He nods, eyes twinkling.

As we get to the house before his, Aaron’s truck pulls up out front. He and Joel get out.

“Hey, what are you guys doing here?” Joel calls.

Jesse and Aaron exchange a smirk.Okay, something’s up.

“Let’s go inside and we’ll explain,” Jesse says.

Joel looks at me, and I shrug my shoulders.

The four of us walk onto the porch, and Jesse swings the door open, shoving both of us through.

Tons of people jump up and yell, “Surprise!”

Genuinely shocked, Joel and I look at each other, then up at the banner that readsHappy 17th, Rae & Joel!

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