Page 65 of Better Than Revenge

“What?”

“Why do you fake laugh on your podcast?”

“For the general good of the listeners,” I said. “To save theirears.”

“Your real laugh is better,” he said.

I reached out to shove his shoulder again, and he captured my wrist, tugging me forward in the process. I caught myself on his knee, and he sucked in some air. I immediately recoiled. “I’m sosorry.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“I didn’t mean to.” My eyes zeroed in on his leg, my hands hovering above his scar, as if I could feel from an inch away if I had somehow caused an injury. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

“I’m fine. It was just reflex. You didn’t hurt me.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Finley,” he said, and I raised my gaze to his. “I’m not that fragile.”

“You’re fine?”

“I’m fine. And it wasn’t your fault. I’m the one that pulled you closer.”

My heart beat heavily in my ears. My hands, no longer hovering over his knee, had instead come to rest on it. We were close. His eyes were bouncing from my eyes to my lips, which suddenly felt dry. I sucked my bottom one into my mouth.

“Good news!” Max’s voice broke through the silence, and my body practically flung itself into the ocean, startled by the words. “There were leftovers, and I have decided to share them.”

Theo pushed himself off the ground and joined Max on the bench, where he’d set a basket of fries and a couple burgers. “You are a saint.”

“Have never been called that before, but I’ll take it.”

Deja emerged from the side door looking harried. “I wish I could hang, but I’m going to play soccer.”

“Play soccer?” I asked.

“Some of us are getting together to stay conditioned for summer league.”

“Oh.”

“You wrote Alice back, right?” she asked.

“Yes, I did.”

“Good,” she said with a smile. “I hope we find the board. I can’t wait to see it.”

“Me too.”

She gave a double-handed wave and disappeared down the walk.

Max took another bite of burger, then stood. “I didn’t realize she wasn’t going to hang with us. This third wheel is leaving now.”

“You’re not a third wheel,” I said. “We’re just—”

“Friends?” Max said. “Yeah, yeah. I know. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

He left, and Theo picked up the rest of the remaining burger and came to sit on the ground next to me again. He handed me the food.

I took a bite without arguing this time. I was pretty hungry after our workout.