“I don’t know why he’s here. Maybe my dad invited him. He doesn’t know you two aren’t on the best terms. He probably thought it would be good for you to get to know each other or something.”
“I’ll just come back later.” Chay turned and started down the front steps.
“Chay Roberts, don’t you leave.”
He froze, his back facing me. “I don’t think I can sit across a table with him, Milayna. Not when I know he’s got a thing for you.”
“He doesn’t—”
He looked at me over his shoulder. “Oh, yes, he does. I’m a guy. I know what other guys are thinking, and there’s more than one at our school who has you in their sights. You just don’t pay attention.”
“Stop.” I waved off his words.
“It’s true, and it’s also true that Xavier is here for more than just breakfast.”
“You’re delusional, Chay.” I laughed. “Besides, what difference does it make? Like you said, I don’t pay any attention. And you know why? Because I’ve got you.” I wrapped my arms around his waist and stood on my tiptoes to kiss his stubble-covered cheek. “If you’re so sure he has a thing for me, then don’t leave me. Stay. I want you to stay.”
He sighed and turned toward me, kissing my forehead. “This is a bad idea.”
“Probably.”
“Let’s go. You’re freezing.”
“Hey, there you two are. How’s it going, Chay?” My dad slapped Chay on the back.
“Hey, Chay,” my brother said, walking by and rubbing his eyes. He was more of a night owl than I was. “Wanna play video games after breakfast?”
“Sure, dude. I got to redeem myself from last week when you handed me my butt.”
My brother laughed. At seven, Benjamin idolized Chay. It helped that Chay didn’t treat him like a baby, but talked to him like a ‘big kid’ and played video games and remote-controlled cars with him. As long as he didn’t have to see Chay kiss me, Benjamin thought he was a cool guy. But, according to my brother, kissing his sister was almost as gross as picking gum up from the sidewalk and chewing it.
Chay helped me make breakfast, which consisted mostly of him standing in the kitchen and getting in my way. Not that I minded.
“Do you need any help?” Xavier asked, sitting at the table with my dad and brother, watching us cook.
“Nope, but thanks.” Chay gave him a tight smile.
When breakfast was finished, we all sat around the dining table to eat. I was wedged between Chay and my brother. Xavier sat across from me.
“So, I was wondering if you were busy today, Milayna,” Xavier asked halfway through the meal. Chay’s fork fell against his plate with a clang. I squeezed his knee under the table.
“Uh, actually Chay and I have plans this afternoon,” I said, not looking up.
“Oh, that’s too bad,” my dad said, and I glared at him. “Maybe the three of you could do something. It’d be good for you to get to know each other better.”
I pushed around the food on my plate with a fork. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Dad.”
“That’s okay. I wouldn’t want to intrude. You don’t need a third wheel.” Xavier wiped his hands on a napkin.
What was that? How could he even think about asking me to do something with him in front of Chay? Or at all?
Finally the torture—and it was torture—of breakfast was over. Chay and Benjamin went into the family room to play video games. I helped my mom clear the dishes and load the dishwasher.
My mom took a stack of dirty plates from me. “It’s not your day to clean up.”
“I know.”
“Why don’t you go visit with Xavier and Chay?”
“Chay and Benjamin are playing a game.”
“And Xavier?” she asked.
“I don’t know what he’s doing.”
“Ah. Don’t really care to know either, I’m guessing.” She looked at me with an arched brow.
“It’s awkward. I mean, didn’t you think it was odd that he’d ask me to do something with him in front of Chay? Asking me at all is bad enough, but in front of my boyfriend? Why did Dad invite him, anyway?”
My mom scraped the food from the dishes into the compost container. “I don’t know.”
When Chay went home to shower and change, I excused myself to do the same. By the time I went back downstairs, Xavier had gone.
“Xavier left this for you.” My dad handed me a piece of paper folded in half, my name neatly printed across the top.
If you change your mind, call me…
Wadding it up, I threw it away without writing down the phone number he included. I wouldn’t change my mind.
***
Chay and I met Muriel and Drew at a little restaurant for dinner before we went bowling.
“Man, I can’t believe you want us tagging along on your date.” Chay shook his head.
“It was Muriel’s idea. I’m just along for the ride.” Drew rolled his eyes.
“Get used to it.”
I shot Chay a dirty look. “Is that what you think? You’re just along for the ride?”
“No,” he answered quickly, his gaze darting to Drew as if to say, “See, what’d I tell ya?”
Drew laughed and turned to the rack of bowling balls, grabbing one for him and Muriel.
“What ball do you want?” Chay weighed two balls, one in each hand. I was too distracted by his flexing and bulging biceps to formulate a coherent answer. “Milayna?”