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“Thanks.”
I nod towards the door. “Go.”
She’s halfway to the door before she comes back and takes her plate. “I might want to finish this. I’ll be back in an hour.”
It feels good to see her smile again.
THERE’S A LIVE band at the bar tonight and this place is even more crowded than the last time. Thankfully, we have a round booth instead of a small table. We take the two empty spaces at one end with me on the outside. There’s a few new faces that show up after us, and Ben introduces me. One of them, a guy, keeps flicking his gaze towards Olivia, traveling over her features.
I’ve never thought of myself as the jealous type, but I’m sure as hell feeling it right now. A thousand questions run through my mind. Does Olivia know him? Are they friends? Because he’s looking at her as if he wants to be way more than that. Absentmindedly, I wrap an arm around her shoulders while she’s talking to Ben and tug her towards me just enough to kiss her temple, more of a reassurance to myself than anything.
She’s taken.
That’s my telepathic thought to the prick. If only that actually worked. I shake my head. I’m being ridiculous. My focus tonight is on making sure Olivia has a great night after a bad week. As long as he stays across the table, then we’re good. The waitress appears to take drink orders, about time, and Olivia orders us a soda.
“How have you been, Mr. Perfect-for-Olivia?” Chelsea questions me from two seats down.
Olivia groans and I laugh. “Pretty good. I’ve had to be extra perfect since she’s stayed with me this week. You?”
Chelsea’s mouth parts and her eyes widen slightly. Olivia slaps my thigh under the table. Did she not know? What’s the big deal? “Oh, she left that detail out when we talked.”
We’ve caught Ben’s attention too. He’s wearing a worried expression with his eyes on Olivia. “You’ve been feeling okay, Liv?”
What does that have to do with her staying with me?
“Just fine. How did you do on your test?”
She successfully distracts everyone as my phone vibrates in my pocket. I’ve already talked to all my siblings today, so it shouldn’t be them. Olivia’s here, so who could it be? My stomach drops at the name.
Jamal, my former teammate and best friend.
I haven’t heard from him in forever. Why is he texting me now all of a sudden? My eyes are glued to the screen, my thumb hovering as I decide whether or not to open it. The screen goes dark, but I still stare at it.
“Everything good, Corey?” Olivia asks as I realize people are scooting out from the other end to go dance or use the restroom. We’re alone for the moment aside from Ben.
“I don’t know.” Leaning over to whisper in her ear, I tell her who just texted me.
“What did it say?”
I shrug. “Haven’t looked.”
She grabs my phone from my hand and reads it. “It’s not bad. Here.”
Jamal: Hey, man. Haven’t heard from you in a while. Hope you’re doing ok. Hit me up next time you come to visit.
Shaking my head, I put my phone to sleep.
“Why did you do that? You aren’t going to respond? You’re going next weekend, you should make plans with him.”
I glare at her. Seriously? Like I want to be around him. I can’t do that. “We’re not doing this here,” I warn in a low voice.
“Fine, but we will later.”
And just like that, Olivia is back to normal.
We end up having a good time, but she ruins it on the drive back. All she can talk about is how I need to reunite with my friend, why it would be so good for me, and a bunch more bullshit. I manage not to comment. Instead, I let her ramble on and on. But as we walk down the hallway to reach our apartments, I can’t take it anymore.
“I’m not doing it,” I tell her firmly as I unlock my door, noting that she’s waiting behind me.
