So Many Boys (The Naughty List #2)(40)

He nodded, still staring ahead, obviously riveted by the scene in the movie where the hero gets the girl. In bed.

“I have to go to the bathroom,” Chris murmured, standing up. “I’ll be right back?” I wasn’t sure why he asked it as a question. Like I was going to say no?

“I’ll come with,” Leona called, getting up to scoot past me, following Kira and Chris down the movie aisle.

“Now?” I watched as the three left, illuminating the room with the hallway light. I heard a small squeak and looked over at Izzie. She was shifting uncomfortably in her seat like a five-year-old. “Seriously?” I asked.

“Uh- huh.” I shook my head, pulling my legs up in the seat so that she could squeeze past me. Were they ditching me on purpose, or was it a coincidence that Izzie’s and Leona’s bladder filled at the exact moment that Mary Rudick called? Hm.

Once they were gone, I glanced over at Joel. He was sitting a seat away, biting his nails as he watched the movie, his legs spread out in front of him like he was lounging on a couch.

He looked sideways at me once and then did a double take. “Hey,” he said, and smiled. It was a little dark, but I did notice the way his hazel eyes sparkled with the reflection of the movie screen.

Joel turned in the seat and crossed his legs, facing me. “Interesting company. Are your friends playing matchmaker?”

My smiled faded. “Yep. Awesome, right?”

“Not really.”

I laughed. At least someone agreed with me.

“Chris’s nice, though,” he said, glancing at the screen as someone got shot. “A little bland if you ask me, but nice.”

“I didn’t ask,” I responded.

“Very good, Crimson. I see you’re working on your sarcasm.”

I laughed and we both turned back to the movie, immersed in a long scene involving backward car chases and exploding gas stations. Eventually Joel exhaled loudly and I looked over at him.

“Man,” he said, shifting in his seat and glancing at the door. “Did they forget about us or what?”

“Probably got sidetracked by the bright lights and candy boxes.”

Joel looked at me, his mouth hanging open. He apparently hadn’t expected that zinger, but he looked amused.

“Sorry.” I shook my head. “I’m going overboard. I’m just not really feeling super-upbeat today.”

“If it makes you feel better, despite this cool exterior, I’m suffering from some severe social anxiety disorder right now.” He paused and then leaned over to whisper, “But I promise that if anyone asks, I’ll tell them you were peppy beyond comprehension.”

Aw. That was awful sweet of him. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Joel rested the back of his head against the seat, watching me. “Oh,” he said, holding up his finger. “Speaking of candy…”

Joel reached into his pocket and pulled out a box of gummy bears. “Just for you,” he said, shaking the box temptingly before tearing into it.

“You’ve been keeping gummies in your pocket this whole time?” I asked.

He widened his eyes like it was a stupid question. “Of course.”

I shook my head and turned back to the screen. After a second, he nudged my arm. “Here,” he said, holding out the box. I put out my palm and he poured a few in. But then he paused and reached down to pinch some out. “Sorry,” he said, popping them into his mouth before I could yank my hand away. “I get to keep all the red ones.”

I giggled just as Kira appeared at the end of the aisle. “Hey!” She looked between Joel and me huddled together, fighting over the gummy bears.

Joel straightened in his seat and I shoved the handful of bears into my mouth, making my teeth stick together so I wouldn’t have to talk. Besides, I might have been a little ticked at being cut out of the Smitten Kittens’ loop. Again.

When Kira got down the aisle and sat next to me, she lowered her head in my direction. “Izzie’s having a mini-meltdown in the bathroom,” she whispered.

“What?” I mumbled through a mouth full of bears.

“It’s okay; Leona’s there.” She looked down the aisle. “Where’s Chris?”

“Bathroom.” Actually it’d been a while, but I didn’t want to really consider it.

Kira crinkled her nose, then took the box of gummy bears out of Joel’s hand and poured a bunch into her hand. “It’s fine,” she said to me between bears. “You can ride with me—and after I drop Joel off, we’ll set up the…you know.”

She was so covert.

I nodded, wondering what had gone on outside the movie doors. All I knew was that Kira was here and Izzie was crying in the bathroom being comforted by Leona, of all people.

Just then the door opened and Chris came in, holding a package of gummy bears and beaming at me. I heard Joel snicker from down the aisle. As Chris sat down, he offered them to me.

“Want some?” he asked.

I turned and smiled politely at him. “No, thanks. I’m full.” I felt Kira look at me, but by the time I glanced over, she was snuggled next to Joel with her head on his shoulder.

There was a small pang in my back, but I thought it away and tried to focus on the movie. I was tired of being insignificant. I wanted some power back. Or at least, whatever power I was willing to take.