Page 66 of SnowBound

Back in high school, we dated for six months before we realized we were way better as friends. She had been my first kiss.

“I thought I saw someone I know.” I shrugged and brought my drink to my lips to avoid talking about it.

Fuck, now my mind was imagining things. How screwed was it?

Rufus bumped my fist from the opposite side of the booth. “Ready to annihilate every other team, Ford? ’Cause we all know you’re the smartest one among us.”

A loud laugh tumbled out of my mouth. “Said the guy who secured a perfect score on his SAT.”

Our entire group of friends joined in.

“Well, I might be book-smart, but you, my friend, are street-smart. And in the jungle, you’d be the one still standing in the end if things get wild.”

“True,” Coop agreed. Then all our friends did too.

I smirked. “Well, let’s see who’s gonna kick whose ass tonight.”

We ended the night in second place, thanks to my musical knowledge. No thanks to my political know-how, though.

Sometime later, Coop, Josh, and I were standing around a high table in a club while the others were dancing under the stream of violet and blue lights and pounding beats. I sipped on a Coke, my foot tapping on the floor to the rhythm.

Claire tugged at my sleeve, and I turned to face her. “Dance with me, Andy.”

I scrunched up my face. “Not my scene. I’ll pass.”

“C’mon. We haven’t seen you in months. And you look like a guy who needs some fun in his life. When did you get so stuck up?”

I shrugged. “I’m not. It’s just—”

If Joe were here, he would tell me to let go. Were all my friends in on this Let’s get Anderson to loosen up thing? Were they all seeing something about me that I’d ignored so far?

Claire batted her eyelashes, doing her best Please do it for me face, and I gave in. “Fine. One dance.”

She clapped her hands, doing a little victory jig. “Deal.” Before I could say anything else, I was led to the middle of the dancefloor, the music deafening and the lights blinding.

Even though I tried to be in the present moment, my eyes swept all around me. Somehow, my mind was still reeling from seeing the girl earlier who reminded me of Abby.

Why did I keep expecting her to appear wherever I was?

“Andy, where did you go?” Claire asked.

I blinked. “I’m here.”

“Nah. You were far away from here.” Amusement played on her face. “Did something happen in New York?”

I stopped moving and frowned. “No. Why would you ask that?”

“All night, your eyes have been constantly scanning the place as if you’re searching for someone who isn’t here.”

“I’m here. No need to make things up.”

She sighed with a shake of her head. “We’ve been friends since what…fourth grade? I can tell when you’re bullshitting me. But suit yourself if it makes you feel better.”

“Sorry. I’m here now. Guess I owe you another song.”

“You bet you do.” She winked and looped her arms around my neck, and I ended up spending the rest of my night drinking and dancing with my friends.

* * *