Razor absently rubs at a healing wound on his arm, then goes back to his pencil flying at a hundred miles per hour. Razor’s a genius at math. He’s also a genius at technology, writing programs and cracking computer code. Actual life skills that will help him in the future.
Me? Razor’s phone on the bar vibrates. He goes for it, stretching his arm, and his elbow collides with an open beer. It falls off the bar. In a second it’s in my grasp, then back near Razor and not a drop spilled. Yeah, Razor’s got brains and I’ve got fast hands.
As long as I was playing ball, there was a usefulness for my fast hands, but now, with football gone, I’m feeling lost in my purpose.
Razor blinks several times. “Reflexes of a ninja.”
I shrug and close my math book, today’s homework and most of what I missed last week now completed.
“I’m serious,” he says. “You border on superhero with how fast you can move.”
“Not like it helps me.”
Razor’s cold blue eyes flicker over my face. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
To be honest... “I don’t know.”
I shove my math book and folder into my pack and open my English folder. Staring at me is my makeup assignment.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both. Instructions: Write an essay explaining how you’ve handled two roads diverging in your life. Use parts of the poem to explain how you made the decision of what path to take.
I hate English. “You do this yet?”
Razor gives a grim nod.
“What did you write about?”
He takes a slow drink from that longneck, then sets it back on the bar. “I wrote about Breanna.”
Punch to the gut. It’s been a few weeks since her parents sent her to a private school far from here. “You don’t mind our teacher reading something personal?”
“I don’t care if she knows I love Breanna. Besides, the lady hates me and probably won’t read it anyhow.”
“Still haven’t heard anything?” Breanna’s parents have forbidden them to have contact.
“The club has reached out to her parents, though. They’re trying to make things work so they’ll let her talk to me again.” He peels at the label on the beer. “Can’t help but wonder if by being away she’ll figure out she’s better without me. Find somebody else.”
Razor’s not one to talk feelings. Not one to talk much at all. He must be hurting. “I saw the way Breanna looked at you. That was love.”
“Violet loved you.” His response stings, but it’s true.
“We’re figuring things out.” She told me she loved me, and for a brief minute, all was right in my world.
Something dark flashes in his eyes. Everyone in the club was cool when Violet and I started dating, but Razor was the one who was hesitant. He and Violet were best friends growing up. No feelings or attraction. Just friends, and Razor’s protective of his friends, especially her.
“She’s not happy in the club, so how exactly are you figuring that part out?”
“We haven’t.”
He rolls his neck. “Be careful with her.”
“I will.”
“Chevy.” He waits for me to meet his eyes. “Be careful with you.”
I nod. Razor doesn’t want to see either me or Violet hurt.
My phone rings and my forehead furrows when Stone’s face pops up on the screen. It’s after eleven and past his bedtime. Quick swipe to accept, then phone to my ear. “Hey, Stone.”