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“I’ll hold you to the fry promise,” Caleb tells me before he pulls me in and smothers me against his chest. I shove him off. “See ya, squirt.”
Not the best nickname, but whatever.
Even Diego hugs me. “You should come over sometime. I know Jocelyn would love to see you.”
“I’ll text her,” I say, smiling at him. I miss Jocelyn too. I saw her more last year when I didn’t go to Fresno State, which makes no sense, since we’re both here now.
My time is filled up with other things lately.
Jackson stops in front of me, his expression like stone. Oh, he seems so angry still. At me? He has no reason to be. “See you later?”
“Yes,” I say with a firm nod. “What time are you coming back?”
“Around nine-thirty? Or is that too early?”
“You don’t want to hang out with Chuck?” I frown.
He shakes his head. “I’m taking a nap when I get home. I’m dead on my feet.”
“Oh. Okay.” I nod. “Get here around nine-forty-five, okay? We probably won’t be here much past ten.”
“Okay. Cool. See ya.” He doesn’t hug me, which only makes it more obvious that something is going on between us.
The jerk.
“Jackson, wait,” I call to him.
He stops and turns to face me. “What’s up?”
“Did you call the mechanic today?”
“Actually, yeah I did. He said your part is coming in tomorrow, not sure when though. And the car should be done by Friday.”
“I hope so, since you’re leaving.”
“I can always leave you my car if yours isn’t ready.” He shrugs.
“No way. I am not driving your fancy Mercedes,” I tell him.
“Afraid you’ll wreck it?” He raises his brows.
I nod. I don’t want that responsibility.
“You’ll be fine.” He winks. On anyone else it would look cheesy. But not Jackson. “See ya later, El.”
I watch them leave, letting the promise of what might unfold later tonight swirl around me.
I can’t wait.
It’s almost ten, and Jackson still isn’t here to pick me up.
I text him repeatedly. Call him. No answer. No response.
I’d bet money he’s dead to the world and fast asleep, and I get it but...
How could he forget me?
Annoyed, I contemplate who I could ask to come get me. I hate to reach out to Gracie or Hayden. They’ve already done so much for me, and I don’t want to take advantage of their friendship. Any of the guys who were just here would probably come get me, but I don’t want to ask any of them either. They’re probably too busy or sleeping or whatever.
