“Yeah, you didn’t even talk to me during dinner, and now you’ve huffed and puffed for the last thirty minutes. It’s annoying, what’s wrong?”
He shook his head. “Nothing and I’m not being a boob, I’m tired.”
“Ooookay,” she drew out before rolling her eyes. He wanted to tell her to mind her own business but since he knew that would start a fight, he returned his attention to the Blues and Lightning game. The Blues were up by two and they were playing a good game, something to keep Phillip busy while he tried not to think of Reese… with Kevin.
It wasn’t working though.
“I know it’s about Reese.”
For fuck’s sake.
Cutting a look back at Claire, he said, “What the hell are you talking about?”
She smiled as she shook her head. “Jeez, you have it bad for her, huh?”
“Shut up,” he muttered before reaching for the remote and turning the volume up.
“Why don’t you just call her?” she asked over the music.
“No way, she’s busy with that guy.”
Claire giggled. “OMG, you know she doesn’t like him, right? She called him a dickwad when he wasn’t looking. I think she might hate him. They have history. Skylar said her mom’s sister said that she left New York because of him.”
Not wanting to confirm or deny that statement, Phillip shrugged. “They looked pretty close during that dance.”
“You’re such a dork.” Claire laughed as she laid her book down and pinned him with a look. “It was all show. It’s for the dance.”
“Whatever.”
“Oh goodness, sulk away, Phillip. You’re such a man baby.”
“And you’re a brat.”
She laughed as she leaned into him. “And you love me soooooo much.”
He rolled his eyes before wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Maybe.”
She smiled widely at him, reaching for her book and grabbing her highlighter before going back to work. With a smile on his face, he turned his attention back to the TV, thinking that all he needed was Reese on his other side, cuddled up against him, and life would be complete. When his phone dinged, he reached into his pocket to pull it out.
Speak of the devil, he thought as he read Reese’s message.
You left without saying bye, jerk. ?
Typing back with one hand, he said, You looked pretty comfortable with douchebag, didn’t want to interrupt.
OMG, seriously?
Yeah, I am.
Jealously is cute on you, why don’t you come over and let me show you who I am really comfortable with?
A smile pulled at his lips as desire tickled in his gut. He glanced over at where Claire was studying and asked, “What are you doing?”
Without moving her eyes from her book, she said, “Finishing this chapter and then I’m going to bed, why?”
Phillip looked down at his phone, reading Reese’s text again. Did he want to leave Claire and go? Was that rude? Would that make him an asshole? She was going to bed, she didn’t need him, but maybe she didn’t want him to go? Deciding that instead of negotiating with himself on if he should go or not, he should ask Claire, but she beat him to it.
“What? Reese wants you to come over?”
He felt his cheeks burn a little as he shrugged. “Yeah.”
“Go, I’m going to bed.”
“You sure you don’t mind?” he asked apprehensively.
“Not at all,” she said with an easy smile. “I told you, I’m good. I know I’ll always have both of you in my life, I am hoping together.”
“That’s right and I am hoping too, but okay, I’m gonna go.”
“Good. See you in the morning, I guess,” she said before leaning over to place a kiss on his cheek.
“All right, study and go to bed. I’ll lock up on my way out but make sure to set the alarm before you go.”
“Will do,” she said with a little salute before looking back down at her book.
Phillip hopped up, texting Reese as he went to get his keys. On my way.
Fabulous.
Reaching for the door, he turned to look back at Claire. “No boys, right? Especially the dude that walks around like that wolf kid from Twilight.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “You did not just say that?”