I am scared.
“Not sure I can get over this.” I held up my splinted hand. Did I want to? Did I like him enough to try?
“It’s obvious you guys have some baggage to work through, but it’s equally obvious there’s chemistry between you. I think you should give it a go.” Willow pushed away from the wall and then flipped her braids over her shoulder. “The two of you would be really cute together.”
I followed her out of the bathroom and back into the theater. Before I knew it, the credits were rolling.
“The Rock can do no wrong,” Preach said. “He’s a beast.”
“He’s really great,” I said.
Brodie got to his feet and stretched his hands above his head. “Awesome.”
He pulled Willow up, then bent down and pressed his lips to her. My heart twinged at the cute sight. I wanted that. The tenderness. The sneaking kisses. The love.
Preach turned toward me. “That’s not awkward or anything.”
I let out a nervous laugh. My scarf suddenly felt prickly against my neck.
“Dude, enough.” Preach elbowed Brodie in the side.
“My bad.” He flashed us a grin.
Willow wove her fingers in between Brodie’s.
“Do you all want to grab some ice cream?” Brodie asked.
I checked the time on my cell phone. It was already eight fifteen p.m. “Sorry, I need to get home.”
Preach’s shoulders fell slightly.
“I need to get home, too,” Willow admitted. “I’ve got an English assignment to finish.”
“Fine, fine. Ditch us,” Brodie said with a straight face. “Preach and I will go get ice cream, just the two of us, because that’s what real men do.”
He faltered, and then his face broke out into a smile.
“Sounds good.” Willow linked her arm through mine. “Have fun getting ice cream,boys.”
“Hey, Grace, I almost forgot to ask. Do you need a ride to school tomorrow?” Preach nodded as he asked it, and I couldn’t help but smile.
My insides tingled. “Ah, sure. That would be great.”
Preach grinned. “‘Hey, Toretto, I’ll see you real soon.’”
Without missing a beat, I winked and responded, “No, you won’t.”
Preach’s face fell. “Wait, really?”
I laughed. “No, I was just finishing yourFast & Furiousscene.”
The smile returned to his face, and we both started laughing.
“Aw, nowthat’sadorable,” Brodie said.
Preach elbowed him in the side, but that didn’t stop Brodie from bursting out into laughter.
“All right, boys. We’ve got to go. Eat an extra scoop of moose tracks for me,” Willow said, linking her arm in mine. She didn’t say anything until we got into her car.