Page 16 of Inseparable
I laugh. “Come on, Dev, don’t be ridiculous.” It’s a version of what Mom said, but I didn’t believe her either.
His lips curve up, and his eyes twinkle as he blinds me with a dazzling smile. I kinda zone out of it. “You’re fucking gorgeous, Ange, although I’m not surprised you don’t realize it. And you are the least boring person I know. Becky is mean and spiteful and jealous. That’s why she picks on you so much. She hears the way the guys talk with reverence about you, and it annoys the crap out of her, but don’t let her get to you, and don’t let her change you. She’s not worth it. You’re one of a kind, and you shouldn’t ever change because you’re absolutely perfect exactly the way you are.”
I left the gas station high on his words. I wanted to kiss him so badly in that moment, but I had to remind myself he was just being a good friend. Any anger I’d felt over the scene I encountered when we’d pulled up flittered away. I floated on a cloud for the rest of the week, and the week after, buoyed up by Devin’s defense. Becky steered clear of me too, which was a plus, although she and her minions didn’t miss any chance to shoot daggers my direction whenever we crossed paths. But nothing could deflect my good mood. Not even the fact I haven’t spoken to Devin since that day, apart from brief passing words in the corridor at school.
Lucas eats dinner with us every night now. Mom mentioned how Devin had dropped by explaining he had taken on more shifts at the gas station and he was worried about Lucas being by himself so much.
I love having Lucas around. He looks so much like Devin did at fourteen. He has the same lustrous inky-black hair and the same piercing green eyes, but he lacks that intensity that is pure Devin. Lucas has a more relaxed, softer expression, and he’s less brooding than his older brother. On nights when I’m at home, he tends to eat dinner and finish his homework here, and then we watch some TV before he returns to his house. I like having him here, especially on nights when Ayden has late practice. Otherwise, I’d be climbing the walls by myself. I know Mom needs her job at the hospital, and that it pays well, but the house is so empty and lonely when it’s just me here.
It’s Friday night, and the diner is dead as a doornail, so Lucille let me off early. Mariah is at the movies with Cody so I’m at a loose end. I was going to invite Devin to come over and watch a movie with me, but his truck is missing from the driveway, so I guess he’s still at work or off partying somewhere. Ayden is celebrating with the football team, after their earlier victory. I caught the first half of the game before I had to leave for my shift, and they were hammering the opposition, so I’m not surprised they came out on top. He’d texted me after with the score, begging me to come join the party, but I’m not in the mood.
Lucas is sitting on his porch when I get out of my car. “Hey.” I wave to him, and he waves back, smiling. I lean over the fence. “You wanna watch a movie with me?” His eyes light up momentarily, but then he casts a nervous glance over his shoulder. “It’s okay if you already have plans,” I assure him.
“No, no, that’s not it.” He stands up, brushing bits of debris off the back of his jeans. “It’s just…” He kneads the back of his neck, and his forehead crinkles. “Dad’s home.”
I arch a brow. Mr. Morgan being home before midnight on a Friday night isnota regular occurrence. Maybe Lucas just wants to hang with his dad. “No sweat. I’ll leave the door unlocked for you. Come over or don’t. It’s totally your call.”
He chews on the corner of his lip. “I want to, but Devin wouldn’t like Dad knowing I’m in your house.” He jumps over the steps, landing steadily on the lawn. “I just won’t tell him. He probably won’t miss me anyway.”
I say nothing until we’re both in the house. “Why wouldn’t Dev want your dad to know you’re here?”
Lucas scrunches up his nose, shrugging. “You’ll have to ask him.”
Strange.
I make popcorn and grab some cookies and sodas and head into the living room. “You want to watch the next episode ofGossip Girl, or did you have a movie in mind?” Lucas asks, as I place the food on the coffee table.
When the series first aired, five years ago, I was too young and too much of a tomboy to care, even if everyone was raving about it. Now that it’s coming to an end, there’s renewed interest in it, so I decided it was time to check it out. Lucas was a willing partner in crime, and we were both hooked from episode one, and now it’s our shared guilty pleasure. I’m addicted, so it takes zero persuasion to convince me. “Nope, that’s good. I’m in need of a Dan fix.” No surprises I’m swooning over intense, misunderstood outsider Dan instead of golden boy Nate.
We settle on the couch, beside one another, and I toe off my shoes, tucking my feet underneath me. We’re both riveted, and apart from the occasional gasp or expletive, we don’t say a word until it’s over.
“I think you have a little drool there,” Lucas teases, pretending to wipe the corner of my mouth.
“Very funny. And don’t think I didn’t notice you swooning over Serena.”
“She’s hot. I’d do her.” He winks, and I laugh. Chip off the old block. He twists around on the couch so he’s facing me, and there’s a mischievous glint in his eye. “If you could do anyone in the whole world, you have your choice of dudes, who would you pick?”
Your brother.The thought forms instantly, but it’s not like I can admit that. “Penn Badgley, duh!” I reply, stating the obvious choice. Ihavejust spent the last forty-five minutes ogling the fictional character he portrays.
“Liar.” Lucas’s lips twitch.
I shove him playfully. “No, I’m not.”Yes, I am.
He leans in, and his voice turns low. “I know who you’d really pick, but you’re too afraid to say it out loud.” My skin feels hot and my cheeks are burning. He leans in even closer, and his face is only a hairsbreadth from mine. “You can tell me. I won’t tell him.” Crap!He knows? Have I been that obvious?He twirls a lock of my hair around his finger. “I’ll tell you my secret crush if you tell me yours.”
Ifhe knows, does that mean everyone else does too?I’m completely flustered, and he’s making me feel uncomfortable. “Stop it, Luc.”
“What the hell, Luc?” A voice bellows from behind us, making us both jump. Devin stalks in front of the couch, folding his arms, and faux-glaring at his brother. “You better not be hitting on my girl.”
My girl?
Lucas grins.
“Ange.” Dev’s voice softens as he speaks to me while keeping his gaze on his little brother. “Did this punk cross a line?”
“What?” I hop up. Even though it’s clear Dev is teasing, I don’t want the brothers falling out on my account. “No, of course not. It’s nothing like that. We were just goofing around.”
Luc stands up, slapping his brother on the back. “Dude, come on. I know she’s yours. I’d never dishonor the bro code. I was just messing with her.”
