A Million Kisses in Your Lifetime(84)

“I’m not going home until winter break.”

He stiffens, squeezing me closer to him. “Where are you going for break?”

“Nowhere. We’re spending it at home.” I hesitate, wondering if I should ask. Then I do. “Are you going home?”

He nods. “I’ll be at my parents’ apartment on the Upper East Side.”

“Oh.” Our parents are practically neighbors. “Maybe we could see each other.”

A slow smile spreads across his handsome face. “You want to, Birdy?”

He sounds surprised.

“I don’t know.” I shrug one shoulder, and he clutches my waist beneath my coat, trying to tickle me. “Stop! That tickles!”

“Stop trying to act like you don’t care, when I know you do.” He pulls me in so close I’m completely pressed against him, our lower bodies stuck together like glue. “It’s okay to admit that you like me.”

“I shouldn’t,” I tell him truthfully. “After everything you’ve put me through lately. For the last three years, actually.”

His expression turns somber. “I’m an asshole.”

“Yes, you are,” I agree.

“Birdy.” He sounds shocked.

“I didn’t say it. I just agreed with it.” I smile.

So does he.

“Everything’s going to be all right,” he tells me, his mouth hovering above mine. “I promise.”

He kisses me.

And I can’t help it.

I believe him.





THIRTY-TWO





WREN





I haven’t been this grateful for a Friday in years.

Sometimes Fridays make me sad. They would make me miss my family when I was stuck at school. It was hard at first, adjusting to going to boarding school. Having to share a room with a virtual stranger, never feeling like I got time by myself. I did my best though, and eventually got used to it.

But Fridays were hard. Sometimes they still are, especially lately, as my friends grow more and more distant. I was so excited to have my own room, until I started missing having a roommate. Someone to talk to, even if it’s forced.

That’s how pitiful I was feeling only a month ago, if that.

At least we’ll have a shorter schedule next week so that’s something to look forward to, with winter break starting the week after that.

Will Crew and I actually see each other over the break?

I hope so.

I go to the dining hall early to pick up a muffin and coffee, stopping short when I see Maggie already there, standing in line. I immediately go to her, and when our gazes connect, she walks straight out of the line and wraps me up in a tight hug.

“I’m sorry I didn’t text you. Yesterday was—rough.”

I slowly pull away from her, glancing around the room, noting the curious gazes as people blatantly watch us. “Want to talk somewhere private?”

She shakes her head. “I’d rather pretend none of it is happening.”

I want to argue with her, tell her that’s probably not the healthiest way to handle this situation, but I don’t know what it’s like, what she’s going through. She has to be overwhelmed.

And I don’t think she knows about the Natalie part of her and Fig’s equation.

“I’m going home this weekend,” she tells me as we make our way to the back of the line. “I need to talk to my mom.”

“Are you going to tell her?”

“Not everything,” she whispers. “Just this part.”

She waves a hand in the general vicinity of her stomach.

I can’t imagine telling my mother I was pregnant while still in high school. She’d freak out—in the most elegant way, of course. “Won’t she be curious about who…”

“I’m going to tell her it’s Franklin.”

Wait a second—now she’s going to lie? I’m sure she can see the shock on my face.

“I don’t know what else to do. I don’t want to get Fig in trouble,” Maggie stresses. “We’ll figure it out. Eventually.”

I don’t tell her about Natalie being with Fig. That would devastate her, and I don’t know how to break it to her. What if she doesn’t believe me?

I’ve gone through high school blissfully unaware of all the drama. Ignorant to the problems people are facing daily. Now I’m neck deep, and it’s…

A lot to take in.

“Are you upset with Crew?” She makes a sympathetic face and I realize she’s referring to the Crew and Natalie situation.

The gossip has settled down from twenty-four hours ago, but there are still whispers in the halls and giggles in the classroom. Psychology was torture yesterday, with Natalie in there with us. She spent all of her time glaring at the two of us from across the room, completely ignoring poor Sam, who was trying to engage her in conversation. Ezra kept dropping insults here and there, all of them aimed at Crew.

It was a nightmare.

One I’m going to have to face again, but at least I always have Crew by my side, glowering at all of them. He’s so intimidating when he’s angry.

It’s kind of hot.

I shouldn’t find something like that attractive, but I do.