Page 109 of Wanted You More

Me:Then you’d be bored without all the tea I have to spill

Bubbles appear and disappear before popping back up again as he texts.

Noah:True. What did you do now?

It should probably offend me that he’s so quick to agree, but it doesn’t.

Me:I think I made Kennedy believe that Lincoln wants her back when he basically told me he didn’t. I don’t know what to do

Noah:That’s not good

Me:That’s it? You don’t have any advice?

Lincoln holds the door open for both Kennedy and me, standing between us as we walk down the stairs of the building. “Is that your friend-who’s-a-boy again?”

He rarely says Noah’s name. “Yes.”

Kennedy makes a cooing noise. “Oooh it’s your boyfriend. Is he coming tonight?”

Lincoln’s eyes narrow. “Boyfriend?”

I shoot Kennedy a look. “He’s not my boyfriend. We don’t have a label. Things are…new. And no. Noah barely partied when he was in school. He’d never come to something now, especially with a bunch of underclassmen who are probably going to drink. He’s got too much to risk with his job to be seen out with a bunch of college kids.”

Saying that aloud sinks in a little deeper than I want it to because it was the same reason Bailey warned me away from him all that time ago.

Lincoln is quiet as we walk. His hands slide into the pockets of his jeans as he stares forward at the passing people.

Kennedy smiles at me. “Tell him I said hi and congratulations.”

“I will.”

My eyes go down to the phone.

Noah:They have to make their own choices. Don’t step between them. Simple as that

That’s what I’m worried about. If Kennedy gets upset that Lincoln doesn’t make a grand gesture, will she confront him? Or would she let it go?

Me:I’ll try

Noah:Be careful tonight

Noah:But have fun

I startle when Kennedy wraps her arm around mine and cozies up next to me. She leans in and whispers, “It’s going to be an amazing night. I can feel it!”

For her sake, I hope so.

***

Everybody had thesame idea as we did tonight, celebrating the end of the semester by the giant fire with their drinks and loud music. It’s so congested that it’s hard to find a place for the three of us where we can talk without being elbowed or bumped into.

It’s nearly two hours later when I feel something fall over my shoulders. I look down at the gray zip up hoodie and then over at Lincoln as he settles beside me. “Where did you get this?”

“Better not to ask questions,” he muses, sipping his beer. “Did you want anything to drink? They’ve got some water left.”

“Nah, I’m good.” My eyes search around us when I realize Kennedy isn’t with him. “Is Ken still here? She didn’t say anything about leaving.”

We’ve made a pact to text each other if we plan on bailing or leaving with someone, especially if our room is going to be put to use.

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