Page 25 of The Bad Boyfriend Curse
Kaitlyn scoffs, “Probably some punk from south of the river who didn’t deserve it. I’ve been in music lessons forever. My parents are so unsupportive, though. They’dkillme if they knew I was going to this. They’ll only accept me being a doctor or a lawyer.”
It makes me feel a bit better to know I’m not the only one lying to their parents tonight. But, also, it sounds like Kaitlyn’s parentsarebeing supportive if they’re paying for her music lessons. Maybe they want her to have a practical, money-making career instead of putting all her hopes on such a long shot. I mean, Keeley’s a musicalprodigy, and her goal is to be a music teacher, because she knows being a professional musician isn’t a sure thing.
But it’s not like I can say all that to someone I barely know. So instead I take a gulp of my wine. It tastes a little better this time.
Kaitlyn keeps talking about what she’s going to do after she signs a record deal, like move to New York, and even promises to take all her friends to the Grammys. Her friends give her enthusiastic support—all except Quinn, who’s quiet. He gives me a look that fully says,I know she’s delusional, then gives me a small private smile before taking a sip from his wineglass.
I blush. He’s flirting. First Noah and now Quinn. Why are hot guys flirting with me? Is this because of the curse? Maybe I should tell him that I’m planning to die single, so he’s barking up the wrong tree.
But then “tree” makes me think about Noah, and I blush even more. I take another gulp from my wine. The sour taste is really growing on me, and I like the warmth I feel when it goes down my throat. And I don’t feel drunk at all. Not that I know what that would feel like.
“I can’t wait to get out of this place,” Kaitlyn says. “If I get scouted, maybe my folks will let me move to Toronto or Montrealnow. You know, Chappell Roan moved to LA on her own to pursue her music.”
“Do you all want to leave Cherrybridge after high school?” I ask.
“We have to,” Reagan says. “There’s no university here.”
James nods. “Youcoulddrive into London or Waterloo for university, but I plan to get as far from this place as possible. This town has nothing.”
They all talk about how and when they plan to leave, and I’m a little surprised. I mean, I don’t want to be here either, but I assumed these kids with their huge houses and country club memberships would want to stay right here, but they don’t seem to like Cherrybridge just like Noah doesn’t. Only difference was that these kids have theabilityto leave. I wish Mom and Jason could hear this conversation. They would see thatallteens want to get out of this place, not just me.
Somehow I end up drinking one and a half glasses of red wine. I feel a little bit weird in my head, but not that bad. Honestly, for my first time drinking, I think I’m doing pretty well. I don’t feel guilty for breaking Mom’sno drinkingrule. Jason said that these are all good kids, and if they drink, then why would it be so bad if I do too?
When we’re finally ready to leave, most of the third bottle is still full. Sadie tells James he has to take it with him because her mom would kill her if she saw it.
James shrugs, putting the bottle into a bag along with the two empties. “Yeah, and we may have to go out to the car to have a drink. Donut Den rarely serves without ID anymore.” He looks at me. “Finish your cup. It’s too risky to have open drinks in the car.”
I down the rest of my wine in one sip.
I feel a little woozy when I walk out to Liv’s car, but I don’t think anyone notices. Reagan rides with us, and as soon as we’re belted in, she turns to me. “I think Quinn is into you.”
I frown. Should I ask how to get him to benotinto me?
“Yeah, that’s obvious,” Liv says.
Which makes Sadie laugh. “Liv would know too.”
“Um, why?” I ask.
Reagan smiles. “Quinn wasobsessedwith Liv for, like… forever. It was no secret. He says his heart broke into a million pieces when Liv started dating Sadie.”
I make a face. That sounds… creepy. “Like, he was stalking you?” I ask.
Liv shakes her head. She’s a good driver, and never looks away from the road, even when she’s talking. “No. He knew I wasn’t into him, and he respected that. Quinn’s not a bad guy. He can just be a bit… intense. But if you’re into being worshipped, then you should go for him.” We lock eyes in the rearview mirror, and she smiles. “For a summer fling, at least.”
I frown as my head spins a bit. I have no intention of dating anyone, but Quinn is way—like,way—out of my league.He’s only flirting because I’m some weird, bizarro rich-kid-Meera here in Cherrybridge, instead of a nerd. Although… if it wasn’t for the damn curse, it might be fun to have a summer fling with a guy who looks like he just walked out of a yacht catalog.
But no. I’m not risking everything for Quinn’s perfect blue eyes… or for Noah’s perfect brown eyes, either. No guys. At all.
Donut Den is packed when we get there. The crowd is considerably younger than when we were here the other day. And louder.
Every table is full. It sounds like open mic has already started, because a woman is belting out “Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga. And she’sverygood. As we move through the crowd, looking for a table, I see that most people are drinking beer and have baskets of fries, nachos, or chicken wings in front of them.
We eventually find a table, but there are empty plates and beer glasses on it. The smell of stale beer is making me a tiny bit nauseous. Maybe because I’m drunk?
“This table is a mess,” James says. He flags down a server by snapping his fingers and tells her to clean the table.
“Don’t mind James,” Quinn says. “He leaves his manners behind when he crosses the river.”
