When Austin asked me about Matt and Amber, I didn't know what to say. I totally forgot I'd made up that story about them always going at it in our apartment, so when he made that comment, I had to stop and think about what he meant. I hope he didn't figure out I'd lied about that.
Now I wish I hadn't made up that story. I was just trying to keep Austin away from Amber so she wouldn't tell him what really happened to my leg, but she assumes I already told him so I don't think she would've said anything.
"So is the band playing this weekend?" Matt asks Austin.
"Yeah, on Saturday. You guys should come."
Amber tensed up as soon as Matt mentioned the band. I didn't even think about that. Of course Austin would invite them. But there's no way Amber would go and risk having Dylan see her.
Matt looks at Amber. "We don't have any plans. Let's go hear him play tomorrow."
"We can't," she says, shaking her head really fast.
"Why not?"
"Because um..." She's giving me this desperate look to help her out.
"Because she's making you dinner," I blurt out.
"You are?" he asks, smiling at her.
"Yeah." She glances at me, giving me a look that says she's not happy with my excuse, but I didn't know what else to say.
"I didn't think you knew how to cook," he says to her.
"I don't, but I'm learning and I thought I'd make you dinner."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"It was supposed to be a surprise," I say, answering for her as she downs her drink. "A romantic dinner. Just the two of you. I'm going to hear Austin play so I won't be home until late."
Austin puts his arm around me. "I was hoping you'd come."
"Yeah, but I'll need a ride there."
"I'll pick you up, but I have to get there a little early."
"That's fine." I pick up my beer and take a drink.
"Guess we'll have to come hear you another time," Matt says to Austin. "Last weekend we left during your first song. Amber wasn't feeling well."
"It was just something I ate," she says.
"You missed Dylan's song," Austin says.
Amber tenses up again because Austin said it just to her. Her eyes go to mine, and I know she's thinking I told him about her and Dylan. I shake my head just slightly.
Austin continues. "It's a new song. We'd never played it before. We had to play it early in the set because Dylan was so nervous about it. He wanted to get it out of the way."
"So Dylan writes songs?" Amber asks, trying to sound casual.
"We all do, but this is the first one that Dylan actually finished so we could play it. He usually starts a song and then never finishes, I think because he's afraid to let people hear it. But this latest one turned out to be a hit. Girls loved it."
"How many songs have you written?" I ask, trying to get us off the topic of Dylan. But I also asked because I'm impressed that my boyfriend can write songs. I thought he just played the guitar.
"I've only written two that we've actually played, but I have others that I'm working on. Van writes most of our songs."
Austin's phone goes off and he checks it. "Sorry, I need to get this." He answers it. "Hey, we still on for tomorrow?" He listens, nodding. "Yeah, that works. I'll be there at eight-thirty." He smiles at me. "Kira's coming. I tried to get her friends to come but they can't make it. I was just telling them about your song."
Amber hops off her barstool. "I have to use the restroom."
"I'll be right back," I tell Austin, knowing Amber expects me to go with her.
There's only one restroom, and it's unisex and only for one person. Amber yanks open the door and we see a guy standing there, peeing. He sees us and doesn't even care.
"Oops!" She quickly shuts the door, then pushes me down to the end of the hall. "Don't people know how to lock a freaking door? Gross!"
"Look. He's coming out."
She turns, and as we're looking at him, he smiles and starts walking toward us. We both shake our heads and yell, "Boyfriends!"
He nods and walks the other way.
We both start laughing.
"Did he seriously think we'd want to go out with him have after that?" she says. "Did you get a look at that thing? It was like one of those mini bananas. Remember when your mom bought those?"
"It totally looked like that!" I'm laughing so hard I can barely talk.
God, I've missed her. We used to have fun like this all the time. Crazy stuff would happen to us and we'd be laughing our asses off. After being apart for years, I didn't know if we'd still be this way, but we are and I love it. If she'd just leave me alone about my leg and my workouts, we'd get along great.
"Okay," she takes a breath, "so back to why we're here. I'm totally freaking out."
"Why?"
"Because your boyfriend was talking to Dylan! Right there at the table!"
"Yeah? So? Dylan didn't know you were there."
"But Austin could've said my name and then—" She pauses. "I guess you're right. There's no way he would know. But still. What am I going to do if Austin keeps inviting me to hear him play?"
"I don't know. That's a problem. But maybe once school starts, you'll have more excuses to use. You're in like a million activities."
She sighs. "Can't you just date someone else?"
"No. So you need to get over this. Just tell Dylan you lied and then everything will be fine."
"I can't. I'll just have to keep finding ways to avoid him."
I don't understand her hang-up with this guy, but whatever.
"At least I got you out of going to hear him play tomorrow night."
"Dinner?" She whacks my arm. "That's the best you could do?"
"I didn't know what to say! And besides, I think it'd be nice for you and Matt to have a romantic dinner."
She huffs. "Yeah, except I don't know how to cook."
"Just go to the grocery store and get one of those prepared meals that you just have to heat up."
"They have those?"
"Yeah. My dad would sometimes get those when he was in the doghouse with my mom and had to make her dinner so she'd talk to him again."
"Huh. Okay, I could do that."
"Let's get back to the table." I start to walk off but she grabs my arm.
"Wait."
I turn around. "What?"
"Did you and Austin have sex?"
"No."
"Don't lie to me, Kira. When I walked in, you two were practically naked."
"We did stuff, but not that."
"Are you going to later? Because I could maybe stay at Matt's tonight if you want the apartment."
"I don't think I'm ready for that, but you should stay at Matt's anyways." I smile. "Then maybe you two will finally do it."
"Let's go," she says, walking off without responding to my comment.
When we get back to the table, Matt is talking to Austin.
"You're back," Austin says, kissing me as I sit down.
"Yeah, sorry to interrupt." I motion to Matt. "Go ahead."
"I was just telling him about working at the suit shop and some of the strange customers that come in."
"He had this guy who wanted a green suit," Austin says to me, "and got mad that they didn't have any."
"He ended up buying a gray one," Matt says, "and spray painting it green. He came back and showed me a picture of it." He shakes his head. "Freaking nuts." He looks at Austin. "Dylan was in there last week."
"Dylan's buying a suit?"
"Maybe. He had me put one on hold. Hey, could you ask him if he still wants it? I can't hold it more than two weeks."
"Yeah. Sure." Austin looks down at the table, like he's thinking about something.
"Did you two decide if you're going to the movie?" Matt asks. "Because we probably need to head out. It starts in twenty minutes."
"I think we'll skip it," I tell him.
"Then should we get going?" he asks Amber as he drops some money on the table.
"Yeah, let's go." She grabs her purse and stands up. "We'll see you guys later."
We say goodbye and they head out.
"So why'd you make up that story about the two of them?" Austin asks.
Damn. I was hoping he'd forget about that. Or maybe he's talking about something else.
"What story?" I ask.
"You said they're always making out in your apartment. But they barely touched each other all night. In fact, I'm not even sure Amber likes him."
"She likes him. She's just not overly affectionate."
"Which is why I don't understand why you said that stuff about them. Was it just so I wouldn't go in your apartment?"
"No. You were just in my apartment, so obviously I wanted you there. That stuff I said about Amber was just an inside joke we have. Sorry, I should've explained that." I take the last sip of my drink. "You ready to go?"
He's quiet on the ride back to my apartment, and when he gets there, he walks me to the door and then goes home. I hope he's not mad at me. He didn't seem mad but he also didn't accept my invite to come upstairs. Maybe he was just tired. Doing construction all day has gotta be tiring.
In the morning, Austin shows up at nine with his toolbox. I greet him at the door, dressed for a workout in my sports bra, tank top, and shorts. I'm not planning on a leisurely bike ride today. If I'm skipping the gym, I'm going to push myself on the bike.
"Hey." Austin has a big smile on his face as I step aside to let him in. He gives me a kiss, then hands me a big plastic cup with a straw. "Chocolate-banana with twenty-five grams of protein."
"Thanks." I taste it. "It's good." I set it on the kitchen counter.
"I had mine before I left." He holds up his toolbox. "Can I get started on the TV or will I wake up Amber?"
"She didn't come home last night. She stayed at Matt's place." Which completely shocked me, but I think she only did it to give me time alone with Austin. But then he ended up not even coming back here last night.
"Does she stay there much?"
"Not really." Actually, it's never happened. It makes me wonder if the two of them finally did it. I got a text from her this morning but she didn't give me any clues that something happened. "They'll probably be over here soon."
"Then I'll get to work on the TV."
"Wait." I take his toolbox from him and set it down, then loop my arms around his neck and kiss him.
He kisses me back, then says, "I'm not going to get the TV up if we start this."
"Then we'll stop." I back away. "Go ahead and work on the TV."
"Later." He lifts me up and sets me on the kitchen counter and kisses me again, and I feel that familiar tingle between my thighs that happens whenever we kiss, or when he touches me, or even when he just gets close to me. Now he's doing all three of those things, making me rethink my decision to hold off on having sex with him.
Our tongues tangle in a hot, deep kiss as his hand slides up my thigh under my shorts. I scoot forward, making it easier for him. Ever since he did that to me last night, I've been wanting him to do it again. But just as he's about to, the door opens.
Austin quickly removes his hand and helps me off the counter.
Amber walks in. "Oh. Hi. I didn't know you'd be here this early," she says to Austin.
"I wanted to get the TV up before Amber and I head out on our ride."
"What ride?" she asks, setting her purse down.
"We're going on a bike ride." Austin grins at me. "Kira thinks she's gonna kick my ass, but I can go pretty damn fast on a bike, so we'll see if she can keep up."
"Kira, can I talk to you?" I hear the tone in Amber's voice and grit my teeth. I am not going to be lectured about going on a bike ride.
"Not now," I tell her. "I have to help Austin with the TV."
"I don't need help," he says. "Go ahead."
I sigh and follow her to her room. When we get there, I shut the door, then spin around to face her. "Don't you dare lecture me about this. I swear to God I'll—"
"You'll what?" She stands with her hands on her hips, like she's angry, even though I'm the only one who deserves to be angry here.
"Never mind. We're not fighting about this. It's a bike ride. I sit down and pedal. Big deal. I'll be using my bike on campus, so what's the difference?"
"The difference is that this isn't just a casual bike ride. You'll push yourself to keep up with him or you'll try to race him. I know you, Kira, and I know how competitive you are."
"We're not racing. We're just going on a bike ride. And yeah, maybe it'll turn into a workout, but I'm allowed to freaking exercise."
"Yeah, but you're not supposed to be doing strenuous exercise, and no more than three hours a week." Her hand goes to her mouth. "Shit," she mutters as she turns around.
I storm over to her. "You talked to my mom?" She doesn't answer. "I knew it!" I throw my hands up. "You're her damn spy, aren't you? She told you to keep watch on me, and you are, and reporting back to her."
She looks down.
"Amber!" I hold her shoulders. "Look at me. Tell me the truth." My voice is raised and I'm sure Austin can hear, but I'm so mad I can't keep quiet. I suspected she was doing this but I didn't know for sure until now.
Her eyes lift to mine. "I'm not spying on you. I'm just making sure you don't hurt yourself again."
"By doing what? Making me sit in this apartment all day? Am I even allowed to take a walk or are you going to call up my parents and tell on me? Did you call my mom and tell her I went walking the other morning?"
"No! I haven't even talked to your mom in days." She points her finger at me. "I could've called her about the rollerblading but I didn't. I kept my mouth shut, but you shouldn't have been doing that. What if you fell?"
"Oh my God." I turn and walk away from her. "I'm so sick of this." I turn back to her, lowering my voice so Austin won't hear. "It's been over a year since I hurt my leg. It's fine now. And it's been fine for months. So everyone needs to stop treating me like a damn invalid and let me get back to my life. I like working out, and I like being active and being outside. You know that, Amber. I've always been that way, and if I can't do those things, then I'm not me."
"I know," she says, walking over to me. "But you're not fine. Just the other day, you were limping. Why would you be limping if your leg was okay?"
"I wasn't limping," I insist. "You're making shit up and I don't even know why. I thought we were friends. Friends support each other, not hurt each other."
"I'm not hurting you. I'm helping you."
"By trying to take away everything I love? And spying on me for my mom? Great, thanks a lot." I walk to the door.
"Kira, wait."
I turn around. "What?"
"You told Austin, right? He knows what happened? Because if he doesn't, you're—"
"Yeah, he knows," I lie. "So don't talk to him about it and embarrass me or make it sound worse than it is. You need to stop this, Amber. I'm not kidding. If you keep this up, I'm moving out. If I find out you're talking to my mom behind my back, that's it. I'm finding a new roommate."
"Kira, I—"
"No. This isn't a discussion. You agree to stop spying on me or I'm gone."
She sighs. "Fine. But you have to promise me you won't push yourself to the point that you get hurt again."
I roll my eyes. "I didn't get hurt from pushing myself too hard. You were there. You saw what happened. It was an accident. My foot slipped and I fell off the balance beam."
And yet it was more than that. She's right. I did push myself too hard. The day I broke my leg, I was tired and sore because I'd worked out too much that week, preparing for the meet. When it came time to do my routine, my muscles felt tight and my brain felt foggy because I hadn't slept much the night before. I felt off, and there were warning signals going off inside me, telling me not to do the routine. But I had to. I worked too hard not to. So I ignored the warnings. I made a stupid mistake and I paid for it. But I know my limits now and I won't mak
e a mistake like that again.
She comes up to me and hugs me. "I'm sorry, okay? I just worry about you. I still remember that day and I was so scared when I saw you lying there. I thought—"
"That's not going to happen again, and my leg is fine, so stop worrying." I pull back and look at her. "So what happened last night with Matt? Did you um...do anything?"
"Yeah." Her shoulders slump and she walks over and sits on her bed. "We had sex."
"You did?" I race over and sit beside her.
She nods, with zero enthusiasm. And this is a girl who's always enthusiastic, about everything. That's why she made such a good cheerleader.
"And? What happened?"
She sighs and lies back on her bed. "It sucked."
"Oh. Well, maybe you just need to give it more time. The first time's usually not that great. Just try it again."
"I did. We did it again this morning. Still sucked." She stares at the ceiling. "I think I might have to break up with him. He's super nice and I like him as a person, but as a boyfriend, there's just something missing. I don't feel that spark, you know?"
"Yeah." I'm glad she's finally realizing this. I don't know what took her so long.
"Like when you and Austin are together, I can feel the chemistry you guys have. Everyone can. Even Matt commented on it."
"He did?"
"Yeah, that's why he suggested we let you guys have the apartment last night." She sits up. "Speaking of that, did anything happen?"
"No. Austin ended up going home after we left the bar."
"Did you guys fight or something?"
"No, he was just tired so he left." At least I hope that's the reason, but I'm assuming it is because he doesn't seem mad today. "So going back to you and Matt, are you canceling your dinner tonight? Or what are you going to do?"
"I don't know." She falls back on the bed again. "I don't feel ready to break up with him. Maybe last night only sucked because my mind was on Dylan. I've been trying to forget about him, but then Austin was talking about him and I kept imagining that night we spent together. Talk about sparks. Dylan and I had so many sparks we could've started a fire."
"If you don't feel that way with Matt, then maybe you need to find someone else."
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