Page 43 of The Score We Never Settled

Ah, right.

The guy who hates me.

Which is odd because I’ve purposely never done anything to him.

Just his friends.

“He doesn’t know me,” I tell her, but there’s not much to know. I have a father who can’t stand me, I’m decent in school, and I get bored.

And when I get bored, shit gets blown up, or farm animals get their freedom.

Amongst other things.

Layla scoffs a little. “You think you live an exclusive life where no one in this town knows who you are, what you do, and your full name, blood type, most ordered food item, and the last stunt you pulled? That’s ambitious.”

“He thinks I’m a punk, but I volunteer.”

“Maebelle made you do that.”

“It still had its benefits. And I could’ve bailed.”

She shrugs. “Why didn’t you then?”

“Gotta stare at you.”

Her cheeks immediately pinken before she drops her chin into her chest. “Briggs Kerrigan, I amnotthe girl you date, nor will I become some stupid bet you and your friends?—”

“Have you ever heard or seen me play with a girl’s emotions like that? My sister, Adeline, would have my ass.”

She steals a look up at me. “I’m not gonna date you.”

“Gonna need you to sound more convincing than that.” I motion toward what she’s holding with my head. “You gonna give me my bracelets?”

“No,” she says without hesitation. “I don’t think ya deserve ’em now.”

“Why? Because you just remembered that your uncle doesn’t like me?”

I knew she was close to her Uncle Ben, but I didn’t realize she was so adamant about having his approval. However, I know it’s all she has.

Her parents died when she was a young kid, and he does seem to keep her on the straight and narrow.

However, I’m not putting it past Layla that being a good girl is embedded deep in her DNA. This girl will go out of her way for anyone and anything.

I mean, she just made me bracelets for whatever good luck bullshit she allegedly just gave me, but I think there’s something more to that.

With her cupped hand, she hovers it in the air to give me the bracelets, but I don’t extend mine just yet.

“You make bracelets for anyone else?” I pose calmly as a small blush takes over her cheeks.

“No.”

“Why me then?”

“Because.”

No trailing off.

No stupid excuses.