“Avery,” I said patiently, “you disappeared to Gavin’s bedroom. With him. You didn’t seem too concerned with having a girls’ night.”
“I know, and I feel awful about it.”
“I don’t wanna talk about this anymore. What’s done is done.”
“Did you use protection?”
“Did you not just hear what I said?”
“Cadence, did you use protection?”
“Yes! Okay? Yes we did! Why the fuck is this so important to you? I haven’t said anything to make you feel guilty for it! My life! My decision!”
I grabbed my tray and stomped off. Avery stayed behind. I needed time alone. Time to sort out my guilt. Time to figure out the healthy way to mend my heart. I was by no means coming apart at the seams, but I felt the slight unraveling of my morals. I was a better girl than that person Friday night. I wanted her back, but I was afraid this new bruised and damaged girl wouldn’t invite her.
Oliver was waiting for me by my car at the end of the day.
“Kim’s going on a date with me,” he said. He sounded like a little kid bragging about his trip to Disney World, and I grew instantly annoyed.
“Super,” I replied, yanking open the car door.
“What’s your problem?”
“Nothing,” I mumbled, climbing into the driver’s seat. “Hurry up and get in. I wanna go home.”
“You want to go home?” Oliver asked, buckling his seat belt.
“Whatever.”
Oliver sighed. “What’s going on, Cay?” And then he gasped. “Did you find out if you’re pregnant yet?”
I burst out laughing, and my sour mood lifted a little.
“What?”
“I just love how you all of a sudden remember that I might be pregnant.”
“Sorry, okay? I’ve had things going on.”
“Apparently,” I replied, pulling out of the student parking lot.
“Just tell me if you’re pregnant or not,” Oliver said.
“No, I’m not. And you better never mention it ever again in your life,” I warned.
“I’ve already forgotten it.”
“Good. Now tell me about Kim,” I said. I glanced at Oliver and saw the silly grin spread across his face.
“We’re going on a date.” He didn’t elaborate.
“Yeah. You said that already. Where are you going, and who’s taking you?” I asked.
“Oh, well, I thought you would,” Oliver replied. “And I thought I’d take her to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse.”
“Wow, that’s really expensive. How many lawns have you mowed?”
“A bazillion. And I’ve been saving every penny.”
“And now you’re gonna blow it all on her,” I said, amused.
“You gotta problem with that?” Oliver asked.
Did I have a problem with it? I had a problem with anything lately that had to do with love.
“No, Ollie. I think it’s sweet,” I said softly. “What time do you want me to take you?”
“Seven this Friday.”
“You better make a reservation. Fridays are date nights.”
“I know.”
I grinned because I knew he didn’t have a freaking clue. A little part of my heart was sore and jealous, but mostly I was happy for Oliver. He’d been pining over this chick all year, and finally she was deigning to hang out with him. She better treat him well, I thought, or I’d let her have it.
Bitch.
“Cay, did you ever tell the guy?” Oliver asked out of the blue.
“Tell who what?”
“Tell the guy you were fornicating with that you thought you might be pregnant.”
“Did you seriously just say ‘fornicate’?” I asked, and grimaced.
“Just answer me.”
“You know, you have some nerve sitting there silently judging me when you know you wanna screw Kim up and down.”
“CADENCE!”
“Oh, shut up. You know it’s true.”
“Who are you? I swear to God I don’t know who you are anymore,” Oliver said.
“Yeah, well I don’t know me either. So there you have it. And even though it’s not your business, I’ll tell you anyway. Yes, I told him. And yes, he ran for the hills.”
“Jerk.”
“Well, what are gonna do, right?”
“Are you turning into some embittered woman?”
“Yes.”
“Great. Just great. Stay away from me at home,” Oliver said.
“I don’t wanna be near you anywhere, Ollie. In fact, I’d prefer to strap you to the top of the car when I have to cart your ass around,” I replied.
“You’re such a bitch.”
“Don’t I know it.”
There is no way I can describe the massive amount of jealousy I felt Friday night when I drove Oliver to pick up Kim for their date. I knew it stemmed from bitterness and humiliation, and a part of me felt guilty for hating Oliver so much right now. It wasn’t his fault. But I was hurting, and he was happy. No, it was more than happiness. He was off-the-charts delirious.
“So, I guess you’re sitting in the back seat with her?” I asked Oliver on our way to Kim’s neighborhood.
“Uh, yeah,” he replied.
“I don’t want any fooling around happening back there. Got it?”
“That’s rich coming from you.”
“You heard what I said. The whole idea of my brother making out makes me wanna puke.”
“Stop being so dramatic. And I would never make out with a girl anywhere near you. That’s, like, sick.”
I grinned. “She’s not just going out with you because you have money, is she?”
Oliver laughed. “I don’t have money.”
“Well, she thinks you do. You’re taking her to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, after all,” I said, glancing at Oliver. He was all dressed up in slacks and a tie. It was cute. “All I know is that bitch better not be taking advantage of you.”
“Don’t call my girl a bitch, Cay,” Oliver said. “And she’s not taking advantage of me. She likes me. She told me so.”
“When?”
“Like a week ago.”
“Where?”
“At school.”
“She just walked up to you and told you she likes you?” I asked, turning onto Maple Drive.
“No. Her friend told me.”
“Her friend told you? What are we talking about here? What, she walked up to you in the cafeteria and slipped you a note?”
“Don’t be a jerk, Cadence.”
“I’m not. I’m just really trying to understand this scenario. Did Kim get her friend to go tell you? What, she’s too chickenshit to tell you herself? I’m confused.”