Page 112 of More For Me

Once we have our burgers, we stand there for a second, like we’re both waiting for something. “Sides are over there on the table,” Reed says, already turning to River and Jas in line behind us.

I glance at Everly and see she’s looking as bemused as I feel. River nudges my back so we get out of the way and head over to the spread of sides.

“Was that weird?” I finally ask as I add a spoonful of potato salad to her plate.

“Right?! Totally weird.”

“I mean, I didn’t expect him to like, challenge me to a duel or anything, but I did think he’d at least threaten me.”

“Maybe he doesn’t know about the date?” she offers, but I doubt that’s it. Reed has never looked at me with narrowed eyes the way he did when I got our drinks earlier. Besides, with the way these people gossip there’s no way he hasn’t heard. Everly’sgrandmothertexted me this morning to tell me how happy she was.

We take our plates back to the table, which is empty now, the others still in line.

“I know this is stupid,” she says, sliding into the seat I pull out for her. “But I feel a little offended.”

I bark out a laugh. “You’re offended that your dad didn’t try to beat me up in your honor?”

“I mean, they pretty much threatened Leo’s life when he started hanging around. None of my uncles have even said a word to us.” She scowls as she looks over to where Cash and Lennon are messing around with the outside sound system. “I always knew they liked Rose more than me.”

The disgruntled expression on her face is too cute not to touch her, so I slide an arm around her waist and bring her close to my side. “Or maybe they just like me more than Leo,” I suggest. “I’m pretty awesome, you know.”

She looks up at me, the scowl fading to a fond smile. “You really are.”

After that, lunch with the Ransomes feels pretty normal. I’m definitely getting more curious glances than usual, but for the most part no one is treating me any different. We eat with Everly’s sisters, catch up with her aunts, and have another beer with her older cousins. Reed continues to cast the occasional scowl in our direction, but he doesn’t say anything else to me.

I’m in a pretty good mood by the time my phone dings with a message. It doesn’t last. My heart sinks as I read the screen.

Nisha:Hey, Bhai. I was wondering if you had time to look in on Mom tonight?

Me:What’s wrong?

Nisha:Nothing is wrong. But Baba left this morning for another work trip.

Dad only just got back from the last trip on Wednesday. The last trip that kept him away for Ari’s dinner. Anger spreads through my gut before another text comes from my sister.

Nisha:I just thought it would be nice if one of us stopped by but Zayne has soccer so I wouldn’t be able to get there until later.

The anger in my gut shifts into something that feels a lot like guilt.

I don’t want to go.

My instinct has always been to rush to my mom’s side. To do or be whatever she needs to feel better. That’s been my goal my entire life. But right now, the last thing I want to do is leave Everly and go over there. My fingers still over the screen as I debate what to type.

Tell her you can’t make it,a voice whispers in my head.Say you have plans.

“Bodhi? What’s wrong?”

I look up to see Everly’s concerned eyes on me and the lunch I just ate hardens to stone in my belly. God, I don’t want to leave.

But I know I have to.

“I need to go see my mom,” I tell her. “I’m sorry.”

“What’s wrong? Is she okay?”

I nod, typing out a quick response to my sister, letting her know I’m on my way. “She’s fine. Just lonely. My dad is on another business trip.” Fresh anger pulses in my veins. “It’s a hard time of year for her to be alone.”

Aloneagain. But I don’t say that. My dad works hard, I remind myself. It’s not his fault he has to be away.