"I can handle it," I say, taking another sip.
"And I know your friend Livvy is dating Ryan and that Eli even tried to get in your panties at that last party Tuttle had. And then Tuttle got all pissed off and wanted to fuck him up over it." The moment the words fall out of his mouth, he presses his lips together, his cheeks turning ruddy. "Sorry. That was rude of me. I should learn when to keep my mouth shut."
This is kind of funny. It's like Cannon's proving all those gentle giant stereotypes are real, though let's not forget he kicked Eli's ass. "You're only speaking the truth," I reassure him. "But yeah. The Bennett brothers are kind of awful sometimes."
"Kind of? They're awful almost all the damn time." Cannon shakes his head, looking pissed. "Eli called my-friend a slut. He was even spreading rumors that she'd suck anyone's dick on the football team. All they had to do was ask her. And I know that's not true." He grimaces. "Damn, I keep saying the worst things in front of you."
"Cannon." I reach out and touch the top of his hand, trying to reassure him. "It's no big deal. Say what you gotta say. It sounds like you need to get this off your chest."
"I do. I really do." He nods in agreement, downright vigorously. "She's a nice girl. She might have a reputation around school, but I know her. We've talked. A lot. Most of the time, she frustrates me, but I think that's because she doesn't know how to take-kindness." He makes a face. "That makes no sense. But maybe you know what I mean?"
Whoever he's talking about, she's reminding me of someone. "I do know what you mean. And maybe she doesn't know how to handle kindness because no one has been genuinely nice to her before?"
"That's what I'm thinking. I'm definitely nice to her. Maybe I'm too nice. I dunno." He takes a deep breath. "I want to watch out for her. Protect her. But she won't let me."
That is the sweetest thing ever. I take a huge swallow of my beer before I ask, "Who exactly are you talking about?"
Cannon parts his lips, ready to give me an answer, when a shrill voice calls out his name.
We both swivel our heads to see Em approaching the table with determined steps and fire blazing in her eyes. I swear she's mad that she's found Cannon and me sitting at the table together. Alone. With my hand still resting on top of his.
Whoops. I snatch it back, not missing the way Em's glaring at me. Almost like she's … jealous?
Okay. This is getting strange.
"I don't talk to you for a couple of hours and this is what you do? You go running to Amanda?" Em aims her angry fire on Cannon and he shrinks in his seat, like little Em is scaring the crap out of him. She rests her hands on her hips, the disappointment clear on her face. "So you're a liar. Just like the rest of them."
"It's not what you think-" he starts, but she cuts him off.
"That's what you all say." Em laughs, but there's no humor in the sound. No, her laughter is bitter. Angry.
Sad.
Just how Cannon's acting.
"Hey." I stand, practically thrust myself in front of Em so she can't see Cannon. I want her to focus on me, on what I'm about to say. "It really isn't what you think."
She tilts her head back because I'm taller than her, and I swear her chin wobbles. Like she's about to cry. "I thought you were my friend."
"I am." I take her hands and give them a shake. "I just got here. I saw Cannon and thought he looked sad, so I started talking to him. I've known him a long time, you know."
Em's eyes are dark, lined with thick black eyeliner, and so wide as she studies me. She looks like she wants to believe me, but she's still unsure.
"Em." I shake her hands again, harder this time, and I lower my voice. "I'm not into Cannon at all. I'm-I'm still in love with Tuttle."
It took a lot to admit that. And I think Em knows it too.
Realization seems to flicker in her eyes. "So you're just friends? That's it?"
"Yes. We're friends. I don't want Cannon like that. And I really don't think he's into me either." I squeeze her hands one more time before I let them go and say in a low voice, "But I do think he likes you."
She blinks once, twice, like she's startled. "Really?" Her voice is a breathless whisper, and I'm baffled. These two are totally into each other. It's obvious. So why are they acting like this?
Huh. I could ask Tuttle the same question I guess.
"Yes. Really," I say, my voice flat. This is what happens when I think about Tuttle and our situation and how stupid it is. Doesn't he see that? Doesn't he realize just how ridiculous he's being by denying that he has feelings for me?