“A school night?” Zane snorted. “What are you, twelve?”
“Sore loser, Washington?” She quipped. “Although I can understand why you might find bowling a little difficult since it’s a game of skill and well, you know, you have none.”
“Ouch, burn,” Nix howled with laughter. “She got you good there, Z.”
“Fuck you, asshole.” He folded his arms across his chest, drawing Celeste’s eye to the muscles peeking out from under his t-shirt.
“You know, Celeste’s practically a genius.”
“Harleigh!”
“Is that true, Einstein?”
“Do not call me that.” She glowered after Zane.
“What would you prefer? Voltaire? Aristotle? Galileo?”
“You know who Voltaire and Aristotle are?”
I don’t think I’d ever seen Celeste speechless before, but her mouth hung open as she gaped at him like a fish.
“What? You think just because I’m from The Row I’m dumb or something?”
“No, Zane, that’s not—”
“Yeah, whatever. I’m going for a smoke.” He took off.
“Dammit,” Celeste murmured, shame burning her cheeks. “I didn’t mean—”
“We know. Z is a complicated guy,” Nix said, hooking his arm around my neck.
“He just makes me so—”
“Horny?” Kye appeared, grinning.
“Oh my God,” she breathed, blushing even harder.
“What are we doing then?” Chloe said.
“We’re going to head back,” I replied before Celeste could reply.
“Oh, that’s a shame. I was hoping to show Celeste my book collection.”
“Maybe another time?” she asked, hopeful.
Of course they’d bonded over books. I’d never met a girl who loved to read as much as Celeste. She was like a sponge, absorbing facts and information from everything she touched.
“Yeah, anytime. My mom would love to meet you, and you know she’s asking when you’re coming around to see her, Harleigh.”
I curled my fingers over the leather seat, focusing on the soft, smooth feel of it.
“Come on.” Nix said, nudging me. “We’ll walk you out.”
The five of us left together, finding Zane waiting by Nix’s car. He gave us a small wave before ducking inside.
“Goodbye to you too,” I heard Celeste mutter to herself as she hugged Chloe and headed for her Range Rover.
“We’ll see you soon, B.” Kye slung his arm around Chloe’s neck and led her toward Nix’s car.