My mouth drops open. “I didn’t take Liv’s side.” Well, I sort of did.
“It’s okay, I get it. You were friends with her first. I can appreciate your loyalty.”
“God, this conversation is so boring,” Lauren says just before she fake yawns.
“I want to go find Dustin,” Brianne whines.
Em shoots me a look, then rolls her eyes.
“And I want to find Jordan.” Lauren hooks her arm through Brianne’s. “Let’s go.”
We watch them leave and Em sighs. “They’re so annoying.”
“Why do you hang out with them then?”
“I really don’t have anyone else,” she says with a shrug.
I actually feel sorry for her, and Livvy would probably yell at me if she knew that. “They’re total bitches.”
“I know. But their bitchiness protects me in a way.”
I sort of get it, though I don’t want to. “You need new friends.”
“I’d hang out with you if Livvy would let me.” Em’s expression turns sad. “But she’s still pissed.”
What can I say? Em is one hundred percent right. Instead of talking, I slam back the rest of my beer and then grab another one, cracking it open.
“It really sucks, because all Brianne does is talk about Dustin,” Em says. “And he barely talks to me anymore. He’s still mad at me too. I know he hates that Brianne and I are friends. I think he’s afraid I’m going to do something to ruin their relationship.”
I should tell her that’s everyone’s fear when it comes to her, but I keep my mouth shut. “You should tell Liv you miss her.”
“Why? She won’t even look at me, let alone talk to me. Telling her that would be completely pointless.” Em’s gaze sweeps the kitchen. “Is she here?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you come with her?”
“Yeah, her and Ryan.”
Em rolls her eyes. “That guy is a total douche.”
“They’re getting along right now,” I say in their defense. “They make a really cute couple.”
“Whatever. Just wait. He’ll grow tired of her eventually and then dump her ass.” Em sounds bitter. I remember that once upon a time, she went out with Ryan too. “Though I will admit, he’s been sticking with her for a while.”
I really don’t want to get caught up in this conversation. I came to Tuttle’s—oh, the irony—to have a good time, not get embroiled in some more drama. I’m about to bail when Eli Bennett magically appears, clutching a red cup, a giant smile on his face.
“Amanda,” he breathes, his gaze drinking me in. “You came.” He sounds surprised.
“I did.” I smile at him. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” He chugs from the cup like he’s nervous, then crushes the empty cup with a squeeze of his fingers. “You look pretty tonight.”
Oh. “Thanks. You’re so sweet.”
He flashes me a lopsided smile. “I bet you are, too.”
Is that supposed to be a pickup line?
“Um, what the hell is going on here?”
Crap. I forgot Em is still standing with us. “Em, do you know Eli?”
“Ryan’s brother.” She smiles coolly. “Nice to see you again.”
“Yeah,” Eli mumbles, looking away from her.
“Please don’t tell me you two are a thing,” Em says to me in disbelief.
“No, no,” I reassure her. “We’re just friends.”
“With benefits,” Eli tacks on, grinning wildly.
“Not even,” I mutter.
Em laughs. “You two are an—odd couple. But I’m kind of liking the possibilities. Revenge sex against Tuttle?”
“What? No. There’s nothing happening between us,” I say again. “Seriously.”
“Whatever you say,” Em drawls, wiggling her fingers at us as she starts to walk away. “See ya later.”
The moment she’s gone, Eli is shifting closer to me, as if he’s trying to invade my space. I take a step back. “Trying to play it cool with your friends?” he asks.
“Um, I guess so.”
“So you wanna keep this on the DL?” He nods before I can give him an answer. “I’m cool. I’m down.”
“Uh-huh. Listen, Eli, it probably is better that we not make a big deal out of this, you know?”
“This?” He raises a brow. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know.” I hesitate. “You want to…hook up?”
“And you don’t?”
This is ridiculous. “You’re only fourteen.”
“Almost fifteen. Next week.”
“And a freshman.”
“Quarterback of the JV team. Next year I’ll be stepping in for Tuttle since he’ll finally be gone. Then I’ll be the fucking star.”
I’m sure he will. His easy confidence will take him far. “So Livvy said you have a thing for me.”
“Jesus,” he mutters, then takes my hand and drags me out of the kitchen.