Read Better Off Friends Online
Authors: Elizabeth Eulberg
Tags: #Young Adult, #Contemporary, #Romance
Better Off Friends (11 page)
Levi stayed uncharacteristically silent for several minutes. I left him alone with his thoughts, as I had a ton of mine to sort out. Mostly, what had just happened? Maybe I was missing some signals. I racked my brain for signs that Ian had been unhappy. He’d made lots of jabs at how much time I spent with Levi and usually pretended to gag whenever I would talk about him. But he was a guy. I’d thought he was teasing me.
Regardless of what I’d done, it didn’t give him any excuse to flirt the second my back was turned. But what made me the most upset was that it had been Levi’s girlfriend. I would’ve thought Ian would’ve wanted Levi to have a girlfriend.
“Is any of this making sense to you?” I asked Levi.
He shook his head and kept walking. This was bad.
We found ourselves walking to the same place. We didn’t discuss where we were going, we just led each other to Riverside Park. We silently walked over to the swing set and sat down. Me in the middle swing with Levi seated to my left. This was how we always sat when we’d go to the park after school in seventh grade.
I started rocking my swing back and forth.
“So I’ve been thinking,” Levi announced, remaining motionless on his swing. “I think you’re right. We shouldn’t go on any more double dates.”
I looked over and saw a slight smile on his face. “Are you making a joke?”
“Well, it’s either that or come to face the fact that I’ve been cheated on twice.”
“She didn’t technically cheat.”
He clicked his tongue. “Yeah, only because you stopped it.”
“We don’t know what was going to happen.” I didn’t believe the words as they came out of my mouth. I tried to lighten the mood. “I guess I really need to stop going to parties where your girlfriends are. And where there are doors.”
“Tell me about it.”
He got up and went behind to push me. I closed my eyes and let the swing take me higher and higher.
We stayed like that for nearly an hour. I glanced down at my watch. “We either have to start walking home or call one of our parents.”
We decided it was best to call Levi’s mom for the ride. Dad and Uncle Adam were very protective of me, so I didn’t think they would take it lightly that I’d been essentially abandoned at a party. Although I
was
with Levi, which would’ve made them feel a little bit better. They both really liked Ian, so I knew they’d be disappointed to hear it was over.
Over
. It was so strange to think about it.
Levi and I sat on the curb while we waited for his mom.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Not really.” He wrapped his arms around his legs. “I don’t know, I’m wondering if there’s something wrong with me.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you,” I assured him.
“But why do girls keep cheating on me?”
“You’ve had one girl cheat on you and one girl make a poor decision.”
He sighed. “Maybe I’m a bad kisser.”
“I’m sure it’s not that.”
“How would you know?” He got me there. “Let’s think about it. My first girlfriend here was away from me for ten days and started sucking face with some other guy the second she was alone with him. Tonight my girlfriend was away from me for like two seconds and she was going to make out with another guy. It clearly has to be me.”
“You’re being silly.”
“I don’t think I am.” Then Levi was the opposite of quiet. He spent the next five minutes going on and on about how it must be that he was a horrible kisser and that he would never have a girlfriend because he’s lousy. How he was never going to date another girl because he couldn’t trust them. How pathetic he must be that EVERY girl jumped at the chance to be with someone the second his back was turned.
It was getting extremely annoying.
Levi was usually pretty laid back about things, so I wasn’t used to his being so hard on himself over a girl. And being so overdramatic.
I kept trying to tell him it wasn’t about him. It was about how Emily liked to flirt and wasn’t really “girlfriend material” because she preferred to date and play the field. And who knew about Carrie? She was young. She’d made a mistake.
But that wasn’t enough. I was getting so frustrated with Levi. Part of me wanted to smack him, but I knew that wouldn’t shut him up.
“Nope, that’s it. I’m a horrible kisser. And it’s going to spread around school and then no girl will ever give me a chance.”
“For the love, Levi!” I shouted at him.
And before I really knew what I was doing, I grabbed his cheeks and pulled him in for a kiss. He was tense, probably from shock, for the first couple seconds. Then his arms were around me and he eased into it.
I pulled away and Levi struggled for breath. “Wh-wh-what …” he stammered.
“You’re fine. You are not a bad kisser. It has been verified. Moving on.”
His eyes were wide, his mouth speechless.
I loved that he was so flustered.
We saw his mom’s car approaching. I stood up and he remained on the curb. I reached out my hand to help him up. It took him a second to process it. He got up on his feet, still completely stunned.
“So that’s one thing I have over your friends in California and your bros here,” I said to him.
He returned a blank stare.
I laughed and hit him on the shoulder. “I don’t think any of them would’ve had the nerve to prove to you that you’re not a bad kisser. You’re welcome, by the way.”
He stayed mostly silent for the ride to my house.
I laughed silently to myself in the backseat.
All it really takes to fluster a guy is a simple kiss.
Yeah.
Still speechless, I see?
Give me a break, will you? There I was, pouring my heart out, when you
attacked
me. I usually prefer to be taken out on a date first. At least buy a guy a slice of pizza before you take advantage of him. Especially if he’s emotionally fragile.
Yes, poor you. You were being ridiculous and that was the only thing I could think to do to shut you up.
I really need to start talking more.
Are you blushing?
Um, what were we talking about?
How I’m the love of your life.
Obviously.
H
ere’s the basic difference between having a girl as a best friend as opposed to a guy.
When you complain incessantly to your guy friends about being cheated on and how you might not be a good kisser, they’ll give you crap, change the subject, or even smack you.
But when you’re best friends with a girl and you blather on and on, she kisses you to make you shut up.
When it first happened, I was shocked and confused for the first 1.3 seconds. Then I decided to go with it. Macallan was an
excellent
kisser. I was a little disappointed when she pulled away and acted like nothing had happened.
And people think guys don’t get attached when things get physical.
Of course, I tried to get her to kiss me again. But she didn’t fall for it. Anytime I’d be purposely annoying to her, I’d say, “Uh-oh, somebody better get me to shut up,” and then pucker my lips. Macallan would ignore me and go back to whatever she was doing.
That
was annoying.
Spring finally arrived, and with it came the warmer weather and track.
Even though we were already in the middle of the season, I still got nervous for every race. It mattered too much to me. I had to keep telling myself to remember to breathe. Then I shook my legs out. I could hear the introductions and the crowd. But I looked straight ahead. The only thing that mattered was the 400 meters in front of me.
I heard the call to line up. I positioned myself at the start, ready to bound forward at the sound of the shot.
I went into this zone right before a race. Everything else faded away; I gained tunnel vision. A calmness overcame me as my body readied itself to pounce, to run.
The shot rang and I blasted out. My muscles automatically responded from all the training I’d done. I breathed in short bursts, propelling my body faster and faster. I rounded the first bend of the track and could sense that we were in a tight group. By the halfway mark, I knew there were only a couple other runners left. I used every ounce of energy for the remaining course, not wanting to leave anything behind.
I knew it must’ve been close because the only voice I could hear was Macallan’s, and she was being more intense than usual. When I crossed the finish line, it took me several yards to get down to a jog. I looked next to me and Ian was right by my side.
“It’s gonna be a tight one, man.” He gasped, clearly out of breath.
I could only nod. I hadn’t yet fully recovered.
He patted me on my back.
Ian and I had formed a sort of truce after the near-cheating incident. I was more upset with him for what he’d done to Macallan, though she didn’t seem as bothered by it as I would’ve been. But I guessed that when you’ve been through everything she had, breaking up with a boyfriend in high school wasn’t the worst loss.
“Branigan, Rodgers, good job!” Coach Scharfenberg called to us as we slowly made our way back to the team.
The coaches and officials spent a few minutes going over the official times.
“Hey, you coming out after?” Ian asked me.
“Yeah.” The guys on the varsity team always went out after the meets. It usually involved a lot of food and Gatorade.
“Awesome job!” Andy handed me some water.
“Thanks, you killed it in the two hundred.”
“Totally.” Tim came up and patted Andy on the back. “Although let’s face it, I smoked the relay. As I do.”
I actually had guy friends. Like, real guy friends. Once I’d made varsity (the only sophomore to do so), I’d started hanging out with Tim and Andy, both juniors. They were these cool guys who were really supportive. I would just relax and try not to get too giddy whenever they’d ask me to do stuff.
I did have to break plans with Macallan a few times, but I knew she was happy for me. Plus, she always planned everything way in advance, which these guys didn’t.
I stared at the scoreboard, willing the times to be posted. And it
was
close.
Ian had beaten me by one-tenth of a second.
One-tenth
.
In some ways, I would rather have lost by a second. Races this close always haunted me. I didn’t think I had anything left in me, but I couldn’t help but think if I’d only pushed myself a little faster, only two-tenths faster, I would’ve won.
“Good job, man!” Ian patted me on the back.
“Congrats — you earned it.”
I went over to the side where Macallan and Danielle were waiting.
“Hey.” I tried to smile.
“You were great!” Macallan exclaimed, and gave me a big hug. I felt so embarrassed because not only had I lost, but I was covered in sweat.
I shrugged, not willing to accept the compliment. Especially when it wasn’t warranted.
“Come on — you’re a sophomore,” she reminded me. “Second place is amazing. You’ll totally get it next time.”
Yeah, when Ian was no longer on the team.
Macallan grabbed my shoulders and started shaking me. “Earth to Levi! You were incredible. We’re going to Culver’s — frozen custard on me!”
“As much as I’d love to see you open your wallet for a change, I’m going out with the guys.” I playfully messed up her hair.
She swatted my hand away. “Oh, right, guy time. Manly time. Bro time. Oh, wait, is that a smile I see?” She scrunched up her face and pretended she was searching for clues in my face. “Yep, there’s definitely a smile cracking. You know what will probably get a huge grin is quality time spent around dudes. Yep,
manly men
, doing
manly things
.”
“Too bad,” Danielle joined in. “Macallan and I were going to have a lingerie pillow fight.”
“Totally.” Macallan’s eyebrows went up and down. “And to think, there was something else I was going to do. I don’t know, it was on the edge of my lips.” She playfully puckered her lips and tapped them. “Hmm, don’t know what it was.”
“You’re awful.” I desperately tried to get the thought of Macallan and Danielle in lingerie out of my mind. That was up-and-down cruel. I sometimes thought Macallan forgot I was a guy. And we have certain responses that are difficult to control.
“I’m only teasing.” She bumped her hip against mine.
Yes,
tease
was the appropriate word.
“I’ve got to hit the showers.” A very, very cold shower.
“Have fun tonight. Really.” She gave me another big hug. Which didn’t help my current situation. “I’m proud of you and I’ll see you tomorrow. Now go have fun with the boys.”
“Yes, be super manly,” Danielle said.
They both laughed and walked away.
“Dude.” Andy followed me into the locker room. “There’s no way I can ask her to prom, even if I promise to be a gentleman?”
I shook my head. No way.
“It’s pretty cruel that you parade her around me, but it’s all look, don’t touch.”
Join the club
, I thought.
Tim and Andy had been working with me on my catching skills. Even Keith had joined us a few times and thought I could play, actually play, on the varsity team the next year.
This was the life I’d dreamed of when we drove to Wisconsin four years ago. Being with a crew, being popular. I didn’t care how shallow it sounded. It was true.
I walked to classes in a group. I hung out with a group.
My
group. Girls were paying more attention to me.
It was about two weeks after Macallan and I had shared that sweaty hug when I was with my crew at our after-meet dinner.
“California!” Andy started slamming his hands against the table.
Tim joined him with his fists banging. “California, come on!” Soon the entire table was chanting my nickname.
I picked up the milk shake and chugged the entire thing. I didn’t care that I could hardly taste it or that the cold burned my throat. My guys were cheering me on.
“Dude!” Andy laughed. “That was insane. Twenty-six seconds. You totally crushed Tim’s time.”
“Won’t be the last time that happens,” I boasted, ignoring the instant pounding in my head from brain freeze.
Andy straightened up a bit and ran his hands quickly over his hair. He then jutted his chin out. “What’s up, Macallan?”
I turned around to see that Macallan had walked in with Danielle. They took a corner table.
“Dude, come on,” Andy pleaded. “Ask her to join us.”
I couldn’t tell if the lurch I felt was from slamming a milk shake or Andy’s constant insistence on being set up with Macallan.
Andy took my silence as a non-invitation for Macallan to join us. He seemed to concede … but then he popped out of his seat and headed over to her table.
I could only see part of Macallan’s face as Andy approached. She looked confused at first, then gave him a big grin. Andy said something that made her laugh and I jumped up.
“What’s going on?” I put my arm around Andy and gave Macallan an apologetic look. “Is he bothering you?”
“I’m inviting these lovely ladies over to our table.” Andy bowed his head.
Danielle picked up her menu and refused to look up. Her tolerance for “stupid boy shenanigans” was about as high as Macallan’s.
I knew the only way to get Andy to leave was to make him jealous.
“Hey, you.” I pushed Andy aside and sat down next to Macallan. “What are you getting?” I rested my chin on her shoulder for extra effect. “Let me guess, tuna melt?”
“Maybe …” I saw her give Danielle a look that resulted in a conspiratorial smirk.
Quiet settled on the table. Andy excused himself, but I wanted to wait a few more minutes just to make a point that nobody else was allowed to be at this table.
“I’m going to go wash my hands.” Danielle got up and left.
I moved over to her side of the booth. “So what’s going on?”
Macallan shrugged. “Not much. Are you coming to Sunday night supper?”
“I can’t — I’ve got something at Keith’s. But Mom and Dad are still coming.”
She looked down at the menu again. This place had only about three things she would eat, so I didn’t know why she needed to study it so much.
“Oh, also, I can’t do Wednesday, either. I’ve got —”
“Something with the guys,” she talked over me, a bitter edge seeping into her voice.
“Ah, yeah.” I took her menu away. “Look, I’m sorry I’ve been preoccupied.”
“I get it.” I could tell she was hurt. She was used to me not having any plans. I couldn’t help it if the guys had me booked. I was a man in demand. “So will you be able to come to Adam’s birthday party?”
“Isn’t that months away?”
“Well, thought I’d get you to commit now. Even if you’ll probably cancel at the last minute.”
I decided to ignore the passive-aggressive comment.
Macallan picked up her soda and took a long sip. She paused for a second, then put the soda down and said, “So Keith asked me out again.”
“He did what?” I blurted loudly.
“Yeah, he came up to me yesterday after class.” She folded her body over like she was a caveman. “
You. Me. Date. Grunt.
I said no. Obviously.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
She studied my face. “I texted you yesterday to call me, but alas, you didn’t get back to me. Shocking.” Her lips were pursed. I remembered getting her text, but it had been during practice. And while I shouldn’t have ignored her, she’d been sending a lot more texts than normal lately. It bordered on needy. “Besides, I would’ve thought he told you.”
