Forever (Friends #3)(3)

Clearly I have major issues.

"Please." Livvy rolls her eyes. "You do not. You're madly in love with him and super pissed because of what he did."

"Don't remind me." I start walking and she falls into step beside me. "I just want to go home."

"Ryan should be out any minute." She starts texting him and I keep walking, headed for the parking lot in search of Ryan's perfect white BMW. I hope we're not stuck here too long. I don't want to sit around and wait for Ryan while he talks with his football buddies. I'm afraid I might see Tuttle again.

Ew. No.

 … fine. Swoon. I'd love to see him again, as long as he didn't open his mouth and say something stupid. Though it's more like I'm the one who needs to keep my mouth shut and not say something stupid. More like everything he says is infuriating.

I can't be with you.

I don't know how to be a good boyfriend.

I don't know how to show my feelings.

I don't know how to love you.

All those words, all the pretty lies and sweet and sexy promises that dropped from his perfectly kissable lips were nothing but total bullshit.

"I'm so glad they won," Livvy says when I remain silent. She's practically running to keep up with my strides and I don't slow down. The farther away I can get from the football field, the better. "Ryan's always in a good mood when they win."

Wait a minute. "Am I ruining your plans tonight?" I ask her, coming to a complete stop and making Livvy trip over her own feet. "If you want to take off with Ryan, I totally understand."

The look Livvy sends me is pure skepticism. "Yeah right. I won't ditch you in your time of need."

A month ago she would've ditched me for Ryan without hesitation. Livvy's changed. I knew she had a good heart buried deep down inside. It just took her a while to dig it out.

"Are you sure?" I know what it's like to have a boy you want to spend all of your time with. I sort of felt that way with Thad. I totally felt that way with Tuttle.

I still feel that way about Jordan Tuttle.

"Ryan will have to live without me. He can make a date with his hand tonight." Livvy giggles, making me smile. "I'm hanging out with you. We can eat popcorn and watch a scary movie."

"Make it ice cream and you've got a deal," I suggest.

Livvy shivers. "It's too cold for ice cream. And anyway, aren't you sick of it, working at Yo Town all the time?"

"Frozen yogurt and ice cream are two different things," I point out, going for logic, though I know I'm annoying her.

"Not really, but whatever." She rolls her eyes then loops her arm through mine, steering me toward Ryan's car. "We'll have ice cream. Hopefully Ryan will let us stop at the store on the way home so we can grab some."




 

 

"I'll buy. My treat," I offer.

"You're just saying that so you can pick out the flavor."

My new best friend already knows me so well. "Valid point. One I won't deny. But I'll make sure it's something you like too."

"Gee, thanks." Livvy glances over her shoulder, her smile growing just before her gaze meets mine. "Ryan's just behind us. And he's alone."

Disappointment and relief hit me. I almost wanted to see Jordan, but … why? So he can say something awful? So he can watch me with his beautiful, vacant blue eyes?

Ugh.

Ugh.

Ugh.

I need to get over him. Find someone new. I'm surrounded by hunky, gorgeous football players on an almost daily basis, so I have plenty to choose from. The season is almost over so I'm running out of time.

"Ladies." Ryan's deep voice comes from behind, and he wedges his lean body in between us, forcing Livvy and me to let go of each other. He slips his arms around our shoulders, squeezing us close to his sides, and I let him. Ryan annoys me sometimes, and sometimes he doesn't. Like right now. He smells good and he's in a great mood, so I can tolerate him. "I hear I'm your chauffeur for the night."

"Right. You're taking us to the store for an ice cream run, and then you're taking us home," Livvy tells him.

Ryan leans in and kisses her, never missing a step. Never releasing his hold on my shoulders either. The guy is smooth. "That sounds so boring, babe. Come on, let's go dig up a party. I hear Cannon Whittaker is having one tonight."

"Tuttle's not having a party?" The words fly out of my mouth before I can stop them.

Ryan sends me a knowing look, and I'm not sure how to interpret it. What does Tuttle tell him? They're close-as close as Jordan allows anyone to get to him, which truthfully is pretty far. But I'm sure they've talked about me. What does Jordan tell Ryan? Does he say awful things about me?

I can't imagine it.

Does Ryan say awful things to Jordan about me? I wouldn't put it past him.