Page 94 of Jump on Three

“Wow, that’s a bold choice, Ry-guy,” he chimed, cutting Ryan off midsentence.

Ryan frowned at Freddie and turned back to me. “It’s cool I sit here, right? I feel like we never get enough time to talk.”

“I don’t mind,” I replied.

He could talk while I ate. If it bothered me, I would excuse myself and put on my headphones. His voice was pleasant enough, though.

The trouble was, my stomach was so twisted in knots every bite of my scone was like sawdust. No matter how logical I tried to be over Ivan, I couldn’t convince myself not to be miserable.

Weird girl.

No one.

She’s no one.

Just a weird girl.

Freddie threw a paper napkin across the table. “Oh boy, here we go. This is going to be fun.”

Ryan stopped talking about his favorite beach and swiveled around in his chair. I didn’t need to look at who was coming. I felt Ivan’s presence, the ground practically shaking from his heavy strides.

His shadow fell across our table. “You’re in my seat.”

Chapter Thirty-two

Evelyn

Ryan stayed unruffled, patting the table then the chair. “Look, man. I searched and didn’t find your name. Besides, Evelyn said she didn’t mind me sitting next to her. Find somewhere else to sit.”

“Don’t mess with me, Ryan. I’ve had a shit weekend and want to sit next to my girl.”

He shrugged. “Like I said, she has no problem with me being here. We’re getting along swimmingly.”

“Swimmingly.” I almost smiled. “That’s cute since I’m a swimmer.”

Ryan chuckled and tapped the center of his forehead. “I can be clever on occasion.” He looked up at Ivan. “Are you going to find another seat?”

“I am not.”

Ivan turned toward the table behind him and dragged over an empty chair. There was no room between Ryan and me, but that did not deter him. Grabbing the back of Ryan’s chair, he gave it a hard yank. Once both Ryan and the chair were out from under the table, Ivan shoved it with enough force to send Ryan a couple feet away and slotted his chair in the now-empty space.

Sputtering, Ryan jumped up. “Fuck you, Sokolov. That wasn’t cool.”

Ivan slowly twisted around to face him. “Maybe not. But it isn’t cool you keep hitting on my girl. Has she shown you any interest?”

Ryan’s mouth opened and closed before looking at me. “He’s your boyfriend?”

I lifted a shoulder. “No. We’ve never talked about that.”

Freddie climbed to his feet, stretching his arms over his head. “Honestly, Ry-guy, this act is tiresome. You have to face facts: even if these two crazy kids aren’t official, Evelyn’s not that into you. Why don’t you come take a walk with me? We’ll work through your issues.”

Shaking his head, Ryan huffed and kicked his chair. “Don’t let him bully you into being with him, Evelyn. Any time you want to eat scones with me, let me know.” Then he jabbed his finger at Ivan. “That was uncool, dude. Seriously uncool.”

He stalked away, and Freddie followed, his chuckle rising above the din of conversation.

Once we were alone, nausea rose up my throat. Ivan would want to talk, and I was awful with confrontation. If I could, I’d avoid it for the rest of my life. I bunched my skirt in my hands, twisting and twisting. Ivan wouldn’t let me avoid this, so I had to think of the easiest way out.

“Evelyn.” Ivan leaned into my space, his arm around the back of my seat. “Are you all right?”