She nodded. “I told him it was nothing, but he’s a guy. They get jealous.”
“That isn’t a guy thing, Celeste. It’s a people thing,” I said, thinking of how jealousy had been my best friend for pretty much my entire life growing up with Nix and his harem of girls.
“He’ll get over it.” Hitching her bag up her shoulder, she shrugged. “You want to get lunch?”
“Yeah,” I said, not really caring if I ate or not thanks to the permanent knot in my stomach.
Celeste moved ahead of me a little as we fought our way through the lunchtime rush. The cafeteria was a hive of activity, loud and crowded. Marc, Ange and their friends immediately spotted me, glaring in our direction. I stared right back.
“Harleigh,” Celeste warned. “Don’t poke the beast.” She grabbed my hand, tugging me toward the lunch line.
My cell vibrated and I dug it out.
Hot Tub Guy: How’s it going?
“Hot tub guy?” Celeste peered over my hands and chuckled. “Original. Has he said anything about the game yet?”
“Like what?” My thumb hovered over the reply button.
“Well, we’re going to watch, right? Afterward, we could all hang out again. Maybe ask Nate—”
“No,” I rushed out. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Because he likes you?”
“I… I don’t know. It’s just weird.”
“Nate knows you’re with Hot Tub Guy, Harleigh.” Amusement danced in her eyes, but I didn’t find it funny.
“Do the Hawks usually party after a game?”
“No. No way.”
“What?” She was the picture of innocence.
“Whatever you’re thinking, unthink it.” I leaned closer, lowering my voice. “We cannot go to a Darling Hill High party.”
“Why not? It could be fun.”
“Celeste! Too many people know me.” Too many girls who all wanted a piece of Nix and wouldn’t hesitate to cut me out of the equation.
“Yeah, that could be a problem.” She tapped her cheek. “Maybe we could hang out with the guys and Chloe again?”
“What about Miles?” My brow arched.
“He can come, or not. Whatever.”
“Celeste, don’t be that girl. Don’t risk what you have with Miles for a guy like Zane.”
She made a derisive noise in her throat. “I told you I don’t—”
“Like Zane, yeah.” My eyes rolled. “Keep telling yourself that.”
Grabbing my hand, she looked me dead in the eye. “I promise I will not make any mistakes where Zane Washington is concerned.”
We moved down the line, and I grabbed a salad.
“Did Dr. Katy call you back yet?”