There's Something About Sweetie(87)

Celia laughed. “I can see that.” More seriously, she continued. “And you know what? You’re right. I bet they’ll just be relieved that I reached out. I mean, I’ve even gone to see the campus shrink a couple of times.” She took a deep, shuddering breath.

Ashish patted her on the back. “I’m sorry it’s been so rough. I guess that’s the side of college you don’t hear about too often, huh?”

“Yeah. There’s a lot more to it than people think. It’s not all fun and parties, even for someone like me. Mostly, it’s just so big. … I kinda got lost, you know?”

“Yeah. But you’ll find yourself again.”

“Thanks, Ash.”

They sat together for a few more minutes and then began packing up.

“You know, something about you is different.” Her hands paused on the picnic basket as she studied him. “But in a really good way. I’m … I’m happy for you, Ash. This is what you deserve.” She smiled softly, a little sadly. “So. This girl you’re dating. Tell me more about her.”

Ashish felt the maniacal, exhilarated grin reacquaint itself with his face as he said her name. “Sweetie Nair. My parents actually set us up.”

“Shut. Up.”

Ashish laughed. “Yeah, I know. That caught me off guard too. But she’s kind of perfect for me, actually. She’s athletic and kind and charming without even realizing she’s being charming. …” Shaking his head, he picked up the picnic basket and the blanket and began walking down the hill, toward the parking lot. “She makes the planet brighter just by being on it.”

“So if Sweetie’s so perfect, what’s she doing with a dope like you?”

Ashish laughed. “Actually, I ask myself that every single day, pretty much.” His heart wanted to burst into light at the memory of Sweetie singing her heart out. In the distance a Suburban roared into the parking lot, gravel skidding and bouncing, but Ashish didn’t pay much attention. He was too busy thinking about how he was ready to take the next step with Sweetie.

She’d stuck by him when he was in pain and dazed with heartbreak and demojofied. Gently, gently, she’d brought him back to his parents, showed him how wrong he’d been about not dating Indian-American girls, how idiotic and empty the whole “mojoless player” thing was. Gently, gently, in her Sweetie way, she’d changed the core of him. She’d shaken his world and reshaped it into something bright and light and colorful. It was obvious what he needed to do next.

He needed to say those three little words to her. Three little words that would change their lives forever. Ashish grinned; he felt free. He was no longer afraid of screwing things up with Sweetie. From now on, everything would be smooth sailing between them.





CHAPTER 29





“You f-fart goblin jerkwad!”

The words shot out of Sweetie’s mouth before she could stop them; it was the only insult she could think of that came close to expressing her wrath. Ashish was walking toward the parking lot with a girl who had to be Celia, with her gorgeous red halter and short shorts, her perfect cowboy boots and artfully arranged bun. She was half Sweetie’s size, too. It shouldn’t bother her, but it did. It stung like hell.

Ashish’s head snapped up as Sweetie slammed the passenger door shut and stalked up to him. “Sweetie?” He looked totally bewildered. “What … what are you doing here?”

Her girls flanked her as she crossed her arms. Celia looked completely terrified, her doe eyes swiveling this way and that as if she were looking for a quick exit. “Do you think I’m stupid, Ashish?” Sweetie said. “Did you seriously think you could continue to date Celia behind my back and I wouldn’t find out about it?”

“Wh-what?” He jerked his head to look at Celia, as if remembering for the first time that she was with him. “No, it’s not—”

“Save it, Ass-sheesh,” Izzy said, taking a menacing step closer to him.

He rolled his eyes. “Never heard that one before.”

On Izzy’s right, Suki brandished Ashish’s bouquet at him and, as he watched, broke them in half over one thigh.

“Hey!” he said. “Those were for Sweetie!”

“Well, she doesn’t want your janky frakking guilt flowers,” Kayla said from Sweetie’s side.

“They’re not guilt fl—” Turning to Sweetie, Ashish said, “Could you call off your goon squad? This isn’t what you think it is. Let me explain. Come on, Sweetie, you know me.”

She felt herself wavering. He looked so genuine, so completely confident in what he was saying.

“Goon squad? You’re lucky we aren’t throwing your bony butt in the bay,” Suki said, pushing forward and narrowing her eyes, her hair swinging out to cover half her face. “Dirtbag.”

“You mess with Sweetie, you mess with frakking all of us,” Kayla said, stepping forward too, her arms crossed. “Now, you choose. Do you want to get kicked in the frakking nads by Sweetie or by me?”

“What?” Ashish squeaked.

“W-wait.”

Sweetie turned at the female voice. Celia tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear and stepped forward slightly, licking her lips. She looked extremely nervous. “Ash is right. There’s nothing going on between us.”