Page 53 of Under the Influence

“Where is she?” I ramble, grabbing my keys off the counter.

“Gone,” Mom points to the door. “Must’ve really pissed her off. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Lainey mad at you.”

I start walking around frantically, looking for my keys.

“I’m an asshole,” I agree. “But I just can’t shake the feeling that something is up with this kid she’s seeing.”

Mom leans against the counter with her arms crossed, “I think the only thing wrong with him is that it’s not you, Madden.”

I shake my head, “Don’t be ridiculous. She’s my friend.”

“You love her, son.”

“Yeah, Mom, as a friend. I’ve never touched her like that.”

“Jesus Madden, are you really that blind?”

“Just drop it!” I open the front door, looking down both sidewalks for Lainey. “Where did she go?”

“I don’t know,” Mom shrugs.

I take off on foot, down the sidewalk in the general direction of Lainey’s house. As my boots hit the concrete, they start moving quicker and quicker until I spot her up ahead.

“Lainey, wait!”

She stops, turning to me, and heat pools in my stomach when I see the tears burning her eyes.

“I’m sorry. Don’t be mad at me. I just… I’m not used to this.”

She steps back a little to create space between us, “Not used to what!?”

“To sharing you, I guess. It’s always just been us.”

I refrain from mentioning that seeing her with someone else has me crawling with jealousy, and I’m not even sure what that means.

“I know,” she huffs. “But we’re just friends, Mad.”

She’s right, I think to myself. We are just friends.

“I know and I’m sorry. I just… I’ll try to be better.”

She unfolds her arms, allowing the sleeves of her sweatshirt to cover her hands, “Just give him a chance. He’s not the Nash Langdon reincarnate that you think he is,” she begs. “Please.”

Right as she wipes the tear from her eye, Drayton’s white Jeep pulls up to the curb, and I watch her get in.

I plop down on the sidewalk and watch them drive away. I feel like a weight is placed on my back, pushing my head down low between my shoulders.

I walk back home and find my phone on the floor of my room, next to Lainey’s jeans. I fold them carefully and put them in her drawer. A single message waits to be opened, and I swipe the screen, hoping it’s Lainey.

I’m even more surprised when I see it’s a number not saved in my phone.

Unknown

Thank you for the other night. -A

Avery.

I sit staring at the screen. Is she with Carson?