“It’s a rare occurrence to see Lola in the wild,” Andy says.
“I know,” Cricket says. “I haven’t seen the real Lola since my first night back.”
“I like being different.”
“And I like that about you,” Cricket says. “But I like the real you best.”
I’m too self-conscious to reply. The car ride home is unbearable. Andy and Cricket do the talking, while I stare out my window and try not to think about the boy beside me. His body takes up so much room. His long arms, his spindly legs. He has to hunch so that his head won’t hit the ceiling, though his hair still does.
I scoot closer to my window.
When we get home, we’re greeted by a wagging Heavens to Betsy and the sugary warmth of baked goods. I throw my arms around her and breathe in her doggie scent. It’s safer to focus on Betsy. Cricket offers to help with the dishes, but Andy refuses as he reaches for his wallet. “You’ve already done too much today.”
Cricket is surprised. “That’s not why I helped.”
Andy holds out a few twenties. “Please, take something.”
But Cricket puts his hands in his pockets. “I should get home. I just came over to deliver your package.” He nods to the box addressed to me, which is still on the floor outside the kitchen.
Alarm dawns across Andy’s features. “Did you call your parents? Do they know where you are?”
“Oh, it’s fine. They had a big day with Cal planned. I doubt they noticed I was gone.”
But Andy doesn’t look reassured. Something is bothering him.
“See you around.” Cricket reaches for the doorknob.
Andy steps forward. “Would you like to go with us to Muir Woods next Sunday? We’re having a family outing. I’d be honored if you joined us, it’s the least I can do.”
Muir Woods? A family outing? What is he talking about?
“Uh.” Cricket glances at me nervously. “Okay.”
“Great!” Andy says. He’s already talking about picnic baskets and avocado sandwiches, and my mind is going haywire. Not only is this the first mention of a day trip, but . . . Max.
“What about Sunday brunch?” I interrupt. Betsy squirms as I hold her tighter.
Andy turns back to me. “It’s still on for tomorrow.”
“No. Next Sunday.”
“Oh,” Andy says, as if the thought has just occurred to him. Even though it hasn’t. “We’ll have to skip it next week.”
I’m dumbfounded as they say goodbye and Cricket leaves. My parents would NEVER ask Max to join us. And Max is my BOYFRIEND. And Cricket is . . . I don’t know what Cricket is! How am I supposed to explain the cancellation to Max? I can’t tell him that I’m going on an outing with Cricket Bell. I open my mouth in outrage, but I’m too furious for words.
Andy locks the door and sighs. “Now, why couldn’t you date a boy like that?”
chapter twelve
Andy said that?” Lindsey asks. “Kiss of death.”
“I know. As if I’d ever go for him now that my dad wants me to date him.”
“As if you’d ever go for him again, period.”
“Right . . . right.”
There’s a weighty pause on the other end of the line. “Lola Nolan, please tell me you are not thinking about Cricket Bell in that way.”
“Of course I’m not!” And I’m not. I’m definitely not.
“Because he broke your heart. We’ve spent two good years hating him. Remember that sixteen-page letter you buried in my backyard? And the ceremonial tossing of the pink bottle cap into the surf at Ocean Beach?”
Yeah. I remember.
“And your boyfriend? You do remember your boyfriend? Max?”
I frown at his picture beside my bed. His picture frowns back. “Who’s leaving me to go on tour.”
“He’s not leaving you. Stop being such a drama queen, Ned.”
Except he is. Max announced at brunch this morning that Johnny had already secured a show in Southern California. The miracle is that it’s for next Saturday night, so he couldn’t have made it to our next brunch anyway. So there was no need to invent an excuse for canceling it.
“I don’t wanna talk about guys anymore,” I say. “Can’t we just rehash Alias instead?”
There’s only one type of television show that Lindsey and I agree on: shows that involve solving crimes while wearing cool disguises. Alias, Pushing Daisies, Dollhouse, Charlie’s Angels, and The Avengers are our favorites. My best friend is happy to comply, so we don’t talk about ANY guy for the rest of the week. But they’re on my mind.
My boyfriend. Cricket. My boyfriend. Cricket.
How could Andy put me in this position? How could he make up a dumb family outing on the spot like that? And I’m frustrated because since the Bells moved back, every important event seems to happen on weekends. School has always dragged, but it’s nothing compared to now. Endless.