Page 38 of I Hear You

“Um, thanks.”

The line for the bathroom moves and I move up.

“I’m Jackie, Henry’s friend. I’m sure he’s mentioned me. Maybe you and your boyfriend can double date with me and Henry sometime. We can show you around Easton.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” I say.

“Oh, too bad. There’s not a lot of guys worth anything in this town and, well, the good ones are taken.”

Her voice pitches on the last word, making her point clear. I choose not to respond and just stare at her, moving up with the line again.

“Well, I’m sure we’ll see each other around,” she says.

The door to the bathroom opens, and I’m next. I duck inside, ending the conversation.

Wetting a hand towel I find in the drawer, I press it to my face and the back of my neck. Staring in the mirror, I try to pull myself together, give myself a quick pep talk. Jackie is a bitch, I decide. I wash my hands and head back out to the backyard to face whatever jock-off I started.

Before I make it outside, I notice Jackie’s in the kitchen still. Her back is to me, but I can see large hands with a vice grip on her hips and her arms are raised up around the mystery person’s neck. I guess she’s not as concerned about getting back together with Henry as she tried to play. By the way she’s moving her body, it must be a hell of a make-out session. If they don’t move it to a bedroom soon–oh my fucking God.

It’s Henry. She’s lip locked with fucking Henry.

I run out of the kitchen and into the back yard as fast I can, making a beeline for Taylor and Jesse who are now alone. Internally demanding my own eyes not to betray me and start leaking all over my dress. I sit down with a little more indignation than I planned, the metal furniture making a loud scraping noise. Taylor and Jesse are both staring at me wide eyed.

“What, did the benchwarmer try to make a move? Do I need to kick his ass?”

Jesse is already on his feet, looking around the crowd for Caleb. I pull on his hand to get him to sit back down.

“No, no. It’s not Caleb.”

“Where’s Henry?” Taylor asks knowingly.

“Inside, practically having sex with Jackie in the kitchen.”

I almost choke on my words. Jackie’s name comes out sharp and bitter and–jealous.

Jesse and Taylor look at each other. Then burst into laughter. Full-on hysterics. Bending at the waist, knee slapping and all.

I cross my arms in front of my chest.

“I really don’t see what’s so funny, guys.”

Taylor wipes the tears from her eyes. Yes, she shed actual tears, she was laughing so hard.

“Mads, can I call you Mads?” Jesse asks while trying to catch his breath.

I groan out loud, double over, and hide my face in my hands. Jesse has no idea what he’s just done.

“Okayyyyy, okay, sorry. No Mads.”

“No,” I assure him, sitting back up. “It’s just…”

I pause, not knowing if I’m ready to share this part of my past with them. Taking a big breath and pressing my hands to my eyes, fixing the tears in place that are threatening to fall.

“It’s just, I had this friend. A penpal. We met online. I’ve literally never even seen a picture of him. But he was my best friend, and we had a falling out last year. He was the only one who ever called me Mads.”

“It’s cool. Madison it is.”

“No. Honestly, it’s nice to hear someone call me Mads. I promise, if you guys wanna call me Mads I wouldn’t mind.”

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