Pivot Point (Pivot Point, #1)(11)

“First of all, I can’t just ask the universe if Duke likes me. It doesn’t work that way. I have to be faced with a choice. There is no choice here. Second, even if I did get the opportunity to find out my future with Duke, I wouldn’t, because if it tells me I end up liking that guy then I’ll just kill myself now.”

“That guy? That guy is Duke Rivers, Addie. What is wrong with you?”

“He’s a player.” The song has ended and my words seem to echo in the new silence. My head whips around to Duke, and he holds my eyes for a single count, then looks away.

Laila lowers her voice and leans toward me. “And maybe you can be the girl to help him change his ways.”

I shake my head. I don’t want to argue about this. And I definitely don’t want to be that girl. Every other girl may go weak in the knees anytime Duke is around, but I don’t.

The next song starts, and a group of people behind us cheer and start dancing.

This is ridiculous. Even if I was interested, I didn’t get “fought over” or “handed off” or whatever this was. Laila is reading way too much into this.

“I must be their charity case. The popular crowd is having ‘do a good deed’ month. Or maybe they’re having a bet or something. I see it in the movies all the time—two popular guys see who can get the average girl first.”

Laila throws back her head and groans. “Seriously, who taught you to be so cynical? You’re gorgeous and smart. Who wouldn’t like you? Just relax a little and give the guy the benefit of the doubt.”

“Hey, I’m still in my-parents-just-got-a-divorce mode. Remember? This is the time when I’m allowed to question all relationships, wonder if true love exists at all anymore, and swear to a life of celibacy.”

“Are you trying to live out every cliché?”

“Yes. If I’m forced to live through a divorce, it better be exactly like I’ve seen it play out in books and movies.” I start listing the characteristics on my fingers. “Teen’s parents fight over her through bribes, teen gets to be full of angst, teen’s friends feel sorry for her, teen trusts no one.…”

“Except her best friend.”

“Of course. And then teen’s parents realize they made a huge mistake and teen helps them get back together after she matures or has an ‘aha’ moment or something.” All five of my fingers are extended with my list, and I hold up my hand as if that reiterates my point.

Laila laughs. “Have you seriously planned out how you’re going to deal with this divorce? What movies have you been watching, anyway, The Parent Trap?”

My chest tightens, and I try to ignore it. I glance over her shoulder to where some people are throwing rocks at the Compound wall, creating a ripple in the mountain illusion. “No. Lots of movies and books end that way. The plot point is obviously based on some sort of reality.”

“Your parents aren’t getting back together. And you read entirely too much. It’s not good for your brain. I hereby ban you from all books.”

I look down to hide my stinging eyes.

“Oh no,” Laila says, her voice now serious. “You really thought your parents might get back together?”

“No, of course not.” I’d been holding out hope, but she was right, there’s no chance. A guy dancing slams into Laila’s back and she growls at him, then takes my hand and pulls me away from the crowd and behind some trees.

She wraps her arms around me. “I’m so sorry, Addie.”

The words make me realize just how final the situation is. My heart aches, and my throat is sore. “It’s good for you,” she says, rubbing my back. “Just let it out.”

I can’t. My emotions feel lodged in my chest and push against my lungs, making it hard to breathe. “I’m fine, really.”

“You’ll get through this,” she says. “I’m so glad you stayed with your mom. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

A deep voice behind me says, “Am I interrupting something?”

I look over to see Bobby standing by a group of trees, staring between the two of us. He has a satisfied look on his face as though he just solved some mystery. “Had I known, I would’ve never asked you to the dance. You should’ve just told me you were already taken.” He nods his head toward Laila. “Mind if I watch?”

Laila’s face hardens, and she whips around to face him. “Listen, we already know you’re a perv, no need to prove it again. Get out of here.”

He raises his hands in surrender. “Fine. Fine. I’m leaving.” He walks backward through a tree trunk.

Laila walks over and hits the tree as if that will somehow hurt him. “Idiot.”

“You don’t think he really thinks …” I trail off, and let my finger float back and forth between Laila and me.

“Please. He’s just trying to soften the blow of your rejection. Come on. Let’s go back to the party.”





CHAPTER 6


NOR?Mal?i?za?tion: v. reduced to a normal state My dad walks in the house after five on Friday afternoon. “I’m so sorry, Addie.”

I melt off my chair and land in a pile on the floor.

“That bad?”

I roll onto my back. “I know no one, I have no car, and you’ve abandoned me.”