Page 67 of C*cky Best Friend
“You could have gone all the way, Sam.” I touch her hand, which is more than I’ve ever done at one of these. “You still could. The girl who replaced you isn’t great. She’s not you.”
She shakes her head once, just a tiny motion. “That’s sweet of you to say. It’s not the life I want.”
That statement is so final that I stare at her, every hope I had of convincing her to come, evaporating. I hadn’t realized it until this second, but that’s why I came. It was to get her to change her mind.
My voice is thick with the knowledge that we are at a crossroads. “What life do you want?”
Her smile peeks out but there’s sadness underneath it. “A simple one, I guess. I just want to be happy.”
“I thought I would hate her!” Lexi announces, walking up with authority, Zoe coming to stand by her side. “But she seems alright. I’m just pissed because…you know.”
“Where’d Ryder go?”
“Oh, Zoe, learn the art of subtlety, would you?”
Samantha smiles, “Lexi…”
“What?! I know I’m not subtle! That’s the difference! Logan, how long are you here for?”
“Just the day. Fly back tomorrow.”
“Where are you staying? You got rid of your apartment, right?”
“I did, yeah.” Samantha and I exchange a look. Without a lease there are no roots. “I’m staying at a friend’s. Do you remember Connor?”
“No.”
“Good guy.”
“Cool. Are you coming to our place later?” At my silence she leans in like it’s the most obvious suggestion ever. “When is the next time we’re going to see you?”
Zoe hints, “Maybe he wants to sleep well before his flight.”
“Fuck that!” laughs Lexi. “He can sleep when he’s dead.”
“People have been saying that for too long. It’s morbid.”
“Is it? Or is it a fact?”
The cousins stare at each other, the winner decided before the argument began. Zoe locks eyes with me like she understands I need to get away from Samantha.
But I don’t want to.
Ever.
“Sure, I’ll come over.”
Lexi claps, “Great!” and heads for food. “I’m starving!”
Sam nervously tucks her hair back again and smiles, “Excuse me.”
Zoe and I are suddenly alone, so Ryder returns from seeing his uncle’s new daughter, Isabella. His dark eyes bounce from Zoe to me so casually I can’t tell if he knows how she worships him. The guy is a stud, and carries himself like the high-class mother who raised him. I don’t see Jen here, but I heard she’s in a happy relationship for the first time in years.
“Did I hear you’re going to House Three later?” he asks me.
“House Three?”
A smirk tugs as he motions to Zoe. “The house where three of the most beautiful women in Atlanta live.”
This statement makes her glow like someone just began a soundtrack and a wind machine blew her hair back. Zoe Cocker isn’t like anyone I’ve ever met. If wood nymphs were real, she’d be one.
I haven’t answered the question, so he asks again. “You going over there?”
Before I have a chance to say, Zoe offers, “Did you want to come over?”
He locks eyes with her. “Sure.”
It’s like I’m not here. My mouth slackens and I step back, pointing at the buffet table. “I’m uh…going to find Sam.”