Page 9 of Blue Line

She puts her legs up on the seat and wraps her arms around them. “I used to hate that it was still chilly this time of year. But now, after spending time in Orlando, I appreciate the cooler weather.”

“Agreed.”

She sighs, and I hold out my beer bottle to her. She glances between it and me before tentatively taking it and raising it to her lips. She swallows, then her tongue peeks out and swipes along her lips, getting rid of all traces of the beer. And I can’t stop staring. I know I should, but I can’t. Finally, she hands me back my drink.

“Thanks.”

I stay silent, letting her lead the conversation.

“I’m sorry if you felt ambushed earlier and like you couldn’t say no. I wanted to talk to you alone without everyone around, but of course, Holt can’t let anything go.”

“Now I know where you get it from.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Get what from?”

“Your meddling.”

She scoffs. “Pot. Meet kettle.”

I chuckle. “Touché. But it’s fine. You needed help. I can help.”

She pinches her brows together. “Why are you being so agreeable?”

I jerk backward, turning fully to study her. “What do you mean?”

Why am I being so agreeable? What the hell does that mean? I know we banter and tease, but I thought that was our relationship. Flirting without actually flirting. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t help her if she asked. And she asked. So I’m helping.

She flaps her hand around. “You’re always poking at me. Calling me Hadley Jane.” She deepens her voice, I guess to mimic me, and I can’t help the snort that escapes me. “Never thought you’d agree to help me so easily.”

“I told you that you owe me a favor now.”

“I know. But …” She shrugs. “Still expected you to make it harder on me. I’ve always assumed you saw me as the annoying younger sister.”

“That is not at all how I see you. I’m sorry.” I wince. “I thought that was what we did. You’re always calling me Weston and some random middle name. Banter. I’m sorry. I feel like an asshole. It was never my intention for you to think I didn’t like you. Holt’s one of my best friends. I would never intentionally want to make his sister think I didn’t like her.” I blow out a breath. “Hell, even if you weren’t his sister, I would never want to make you feel bad.”

“Okay. Well, I’m glad then. And there’s nothing to apologize for.”

“Maybe not. But since we’re clearing the air, you always seem annoyed to see me, like at Christmas last year at your brother’s. Why is that?”

Holt invited me over after he found out I was planning to sit at home alone. His parents were in town because he’d just found out about Hazel a few months prior. He and Becca weren’t together yet, although I do remember we ran into her and her parents in the hallway, and we all ended up spending time together. But I remember the scowl Hadley turned my way when I showed up.

Her shoulders fall slightly, and I hold out my beer for her. She takes it, staring out into the distance. I sit patiently, waiting to see what she’s going to say. This conversation feels monumental, and I am not going to rush it. She takes a drink.

“It wasn’t—isn’t—you. I was mostly annoyed because you’re always so happy-go-lucky, and I’m not, well, especially not then. I felt as if I was having a quarter-life crisis.” She lets out a hollow-sounding laugh. “Then you show up, and you’re all you.” She waves the beer bottle around. “I don’t know how you do it.”

“Do what?”

“How you’re always in a good mood.”

I shake my head. “I’m not. I’m human too.”

“No shit. But seriously, how do you do it?”

“I don’t know. I just do. Life’s too short to waste it being in a bad mood, but I have off days and weeks. I try to take them in stride. To make the best of the shit situations. At least when I can.”

“That’s very deep.” She takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry I haven’t always been the nicest to you. Something about you brings out my sass.”

“Ya think?”