Page 29 of Love Notes

“Are you sureyouweren’t the one who was hit in the head last week?”

Ethan exited his classroom and caught sight of us, following behind as we headed toward the cafeteria.

“I’m serious. It’s true,” Lauren said. “Tell her, Ethan. You’re his brother. You’ve got to see it, too.”

“See what?” Ethan raised a brow and glanced over at me while I tried my best to keep my expression neutral.

“Lauren has some crazy idea that Carson and I”—I nearly gagged on the word as I choked out—“have chemistry.”

Ethan wrinkled his nose. “You and Carson? I guess if you consider eternal hatred chemistry, then . . .”

“Exactly.” I grinned, thanking him with my smile.

“Ugh. Whatever,” Lauren said. “Are you guys going to his party on Saturday night? Wes and I already have plans or we’d be there.”

Ethan groaned. “He’s having another party? I totally should’ve known since my parents are going out of town for their anniversary.”

“We never go to his parties,” I added.

“Why not? They’re fun.”

“You think they’re fun because you guys run cross-country with him, and because, in the smallest of ways, you have him to thank for you and Wesley hooking up.”

When Lauren blushed, I smiled. “Or are the rumors wrong?”

Ignoring me, Lauren turned to Ethan. “But you’re his brother. I never get why you’re not there.”

Ethan paused with us outside the cafeteria, which was his cue to head to History class and ours to lunch. “It’s simple. If I don’t know what he’s doing when my parents aren’t home, then I can’t tell and don’t have to lie when I’m asked. It makes life easier.”

“And you?” Lauren asked me. “What’s your excuse?”

“For one, I’m usually hanging with Ethan. Like I want to go to Carson’s party so he can make it his night’s mission to irritate me to death. With my luck, he’d probably dare me to go for a midnight swim at the beach in one of his rousing games of truth or dare and I’d drown. Besides, he’s never actually invited me to one of his parties. Isn’t an invitation sort of a prerequisite? Showing up would make me look desperate.” Or like I cared.

Truth be told, I’d always been a little intrigued by Carson’s epic parties. If he wielded the kind of power that could help nudge Lauren and Wes out of their families’ notorious rivalry, then I was interested to see it firsthand. Call it curiosity.

“Fine. But you two are missing out,” Lauren said, pointing between us. “And just so you know,” she whispered so only I could hear. “I heard Olivia’s on the prowl, and she plans on crashing.”

I sat in study hall, notes spread out in front of me, prepping for the big calculus test before winter break when someone tapped me on the shoulder and handed me a tiny piece of notebook paper. The paper was folded into an origami star. Frowning, I glanced around me to see who the sender was. I knew it wasn’t Emmy Banks who sat to my right because my name on the front was written in what was most definitely a boy’s handwriting.

Glancing around the room for the culprit, my gaze slid over my classmates until they locked on Carson’s and he winked. My stomach clenched as I turned back around and slowly opened the note, wondering what he wanted that couldn’t wait until after class.“Want to meet up after school to discuss the donors and when we might want to go shopping?”

Of course it was about the Angel Program. What was I expecting?

I grabbed my pencil and scribbled, “Sure.” Then I handed the note back to Ky behind me, who passed it to Liam, then back to Carson. I saw him unfold it out of the corner of my eye, then smile and write something else.

When I got the note back, I opened it up, more eager than I’d like to admit. “Great. Meet me at Rise after school, 3:00.”

I entered Rise at five ‘till three, wondering why Carson chose that particular location. Not that I didn’t like freshly baked bread, but it seemed like a strange meeting place. However, the moment I entered and saw him leaning against the counter talking to Tammy, the owner, I overheard their conversation, and it clicked.

His attention turned to me. “Hey.” He hooked a thumb toward Tammy and said, “Rise is donating dinner rolls, bread, and bagels for the holiday food baskets. Enough for each family to eat on Christmas and have leftovers to freeze.”

For a moment, I was speechless. I hadn’t even thought to ask local businesses for nonmonetary donations. The fact that Carson had said a lot.

“Wow. That’s amazing. Thanks Tammy,” I said, only slightly jealous I hadn’t thought of it first.

“Oh, it’s no problem. It’s the least I can do to help. I think it’s great you two are working on this project together. Not enough kids take the time to help people in need anymore. It’s nice to see the youth in this town at work.”

I smiled at her. She was too sweet for her own good. Obviously, no one told her the real reason we were stuck working on the project. If she only knew. . .

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