Right as I’m drifting off, someone shoves my legs off the booth seat and snaps, “Move it.”
I open my eyes to see Andy scowling at me. He has a rag in one hand and a spray bottle in the other.
“Don’t be a dick,” Asha says to him.
Sam clenches his jaw but keeps his mouth shut. I guess he’s afraid I’ll get annoyed if he says something. He’s right. I would be annoyed.
I am annoyed, anyway. But not with him. With Andy. I set both feet on the floor and sit up so fast I get a little dizzy.
Andy makes an irritated sound in the back of his throat as he wipes down the table next to ours. “Oh, grow up, Asha.”
She goes quiet and stirs her tea slowly, the spoon clanking against the ceramic mug. Okay, that is not cool. No one should be mean to Asha. She’s nice to everyone, all the time.
“Leave her alone,” Sam says, and Andy whirls on him.
“Oh, right, let’s not hurt the princess’s feelings.”
“Dude, what is your problem?”
“My problem? What’s your problem?” He slams the spray bottle down on the table and glares at me. “I see Mute Girl here is making herself right at home, isn’t she? Putting her goddamn feet on the furniture.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about how she’s Single White Female-ing Noah’s ass!” he bursts. “Taking his job when she’s the reason he can’t even work. And none of you even care.”
“Don’t tell me I don’t care about Noah.” Sam’s voice shakes, and it makes my heart feel like it’s splintering into tiny pieces.
“Oh, really? How many times have you visited him in the hospital, Sam?” he asks. Sam lowers his eyes to his plate, silent, and Andy scoffs. “Yeah. I’m sure you’ll be awarded your Best Friend of the Year trophy any day now.”
He stalks off toward the back, and we all watch him go. Dex grabs his arm, says something to him, but Andy brushes him off and storms out of sight. We all sit in silence for a long time. Sam won’t even look at me.