I bring her the pretty green and orange bottle and she takes a healthy gulp.
“I’m sorry, Sydney,” I say, sitting cross-legged on the floor next to her. She sits up and looks at me questioningly. “I feel like I’ve been so wrapped up in my own stuff this year that I’ve barely reached out to you or asked about your sister. How is she doing? What have the doctors been saying?”
Sydney looks at me and for a while she doesn’t say anything.Oh, no.“It’s just that…” she starts and I give her all the space she needs to tell me what’s going on. “I just…”
Just as she opens her mouth again, the door opens and in walks Arden and Margot, coffees in hand.
I see the panic in Sydney’s eyes, and I can tell immediately that she doesn’t want to talk about this anymore. Not now. I give her back a rub of reassurance before getting up from the floor to greet them.
“Thanks for the coffee, Mars,” I say as she hands me the warm cup.
“Don’t thank me,” she nods her head behind her and my eyes land on a sheepish looking Arden. I nod my head in gratitude and he gives me one of those smiles. You know, the one the devil loves. The one that could cause me to abandon my whole stance against having arealrelationship with Arden.
His eyes sparkle at my attention and I can’t help but think about what it would be like to have his attention on me like this all the time. I used to dream about it as a teenager. My crush on Arden was undeniable but that’s all it was, a crush. I never thought I’d have an actual shot with him and now that I do, I’m scared to death.
“We should do something fun today!” I cheer, suddenly needing to get some fresh air. All this close proximity is making my head spin.
“I have a meeting on campus at four so I can do anything before then. Just, please no paintball,” she says and I enjoy the reminder of our junior year exploits when Sydney and I were lowkey trying to push her and Alex together. She doesn’t know we orchestrated it that way, but of course we did. She never would’ve made a move otherwise. And look at them now.
See, devil brain, I’m not always so diabolical.Sometimes I use my evil for good.
“What about you, Syd? What time do you have to leave?
She shrugs. “I’ll leave when Margot does. No rush.”
“Yay!” I cheer, clapping my hands together. “Let’s go do something fun!”
Five minutes later, we’re sitting on the couch all at a complete loss on what’s fun around here that doesn’t involve drinking or exercise of any kind—much to Sydney’s chagrin.
“We can—”
“Oh my god, I have theperfectidea. But we need four people.”
All eyes shoot to Arden who’s been cleaning up the kitchen while we brainstorm on the couch. I’m not sure if it’s for my benefit or if he’s showing off for his sister but Arden’s cleanliness has increased tenfold over the past few weeks. My wishful thinking hopes it’s the former but I’ll take either as long as the dishes are clean.
“Ardy,” I call toward him, patting my eyelids aggressively. “You coming with us?”
He puts his hands on the counter and straightens his arms, the movement showing off his pecs and biceps beautifully. Not that I noticed that. He’s looking at me like he’s not sure how to answer. He could easily say he’s working a shift and can't come but it seems like he’s torn between wanting to come along and knowing if it’s a good idea or not. With a wink, I sweeten the deal and his head drops with a smile.
“Yeah, I’m in,” he says, resigned. But I know he’s happy to come along. He isn’t going to miss a chance to hang with his sister, plus, I think he wants to hang with me too. He just won’t admit that.Or you won’t.
“Perfect! Everyone get ready, we’re hitting the road in fifteen minutes.” I run into my room to change my clothes and as I do, the mutter starts behind me.
“Ready for what?”
“No way.”
“Yes way.”
“There’s nothing else we can do today? What about-–”
“Nope. This is what we’re doing.”
North Side Escape Roomsstands before us and I grab Margot’s arm to pull her through the doors. Arden and Sydney follow with appeasing smiles.
“Have I ever told you I’m claustrophobic?” Margot groans as we get to the counter.
I roll my eyes. “You haven’t told me that because you aren’t and also it’s not like we’re actually locked in. Right?” I turn that question toward the teenager behind the ticket desk.