He sucks his lips into his mouth, trying to unsuccessfully hide a smirk. “About that…”
“I’m listening.” I turn and give him my full attention, my face alight with curiosity.
“We broke up.” Joel states matter-of-factly, delivering the heartbreaking news.
I squint in confusion. “We did?”
“Yep, sorry to break that to you.” He sighs and pats my shoulder in pretend comfort.
“You win some, you lose some.” I shrug while Joel snickers, causing me to bite back my own laugh, remembering we are in class.
“Now that we havethatawkward conversation out of the way,” he says, “I’m curious. What exactly did the little bird tell you and when, and also, have you spoken since? Because the birdclaimshe hasn’t spoken to you.”
I bite my lip and grimace. “Ah…”Am I about to throw Dylan under a bus?
Joel raises his eyebrows, a teasing glint in his eye.
Sorry, Dylan, hope the bus doesn’t hurt.“He saw the sock and assumed I was the one there with you.”
Joel laughs and waves his hand for me to continue.
Scrunching my nose, I add, “He texted around five that morning. But we haven’t spoken since.”
A huge smile spreads across his face, and he cracks up laughing, shaking his head and interrupting the lecture. “Sorry,” he tells the professor and then faces forward, pen in hand, ready to listen.Conversation over?
“Messaging a girl he thinks I’m sleeping with. Tsk, Dylan,” Joel mumbles to himself. At least, I think it’s to himself because he’s still facing the front of the room.
“Do you get a break today, Summer?” he asks, a little louder but still acting the part of attentive learner.
“I sure do. Straight after this,” I say.
He smirks. “Perfect, want to have lunch with me?”
Campus Coffee is bustling due to the lunch hour, but after weaving through tables, Joel and I secure the last booth. My phone dings with a text as we sit down.
Cory: Please tell me you’re free to come out Saturday night. I miss you.
I cringe and put the phone away. I’ve been a horrible friend and need to rectify that, but not right now. When I look up from my bag, Joel’s smiling at a girl sitting at the table beside us. When he feels my eyes on him, he looks my way. “So, Summer, any big plans for your Friday night?”
“Ugh, yes.” I sigh.
Joel laughs. “Must be some exciting plans.”
I roll my eyes and grin. “I’ve got drinks with a study group. Maybe it will be fun.”
“I’m sure you can create your own fun. I mean, I barely know you, but you come across as a fun gal.” He shrugs, and I smile in thanks. He’s right, at least about our knowledge of each other. But I plan to change that; I have questions.
Leaning forward across the table, I cup my hand around my mouth, as though my next words are a secret. Joel leans forward, poised to listen intently. “Don’t let this swell your head too much, but how are you single?” I ask.
He laughs out loud, the force of it propelling him into the backrest of the booth. “Because I enjoy playing the field,” he says with a shrug.Hmmm.
“I don’t doubt that; I’m sure you find playing the fieldquiteenjoyable, but I’m not buying it.” I raise an eyebrow in challenge, and Joel furrows his own eyebrows in response.
“Are you sure we haven’t known each other since childhood?” he asks, and it’s my turn to laugh.
I stare him down. “Who is she? Come on; spill.”
He runs his hand through his short beard. “This is not where I thought our conversation would go. I’d much rather discuss Dylan.” Leaning back, he crosses his arms over his chest protectively before he smirks.