our way to the same spot we always sit in when we come here.
I spot River and Dean already sitting there, two slices of pie in front of them as she glares at his bent head. He’s invested in his breakfast, and River’s invested in burning a hole through his skull.
“Hey, guys,” I say, approaching the community table. “What are you doing here, Dean? Shouldn’t you be at school?”
“Parent/teacher meetings today. I didn’t schedule my first one until later so I could have breakfast with this one.” He sounds annoyed as he hitches his thumb River’s way.
She rolls her hazel eyes at him.
Cooper and I exchange a glance as we take a seat at the table.
What’s up with them? Cooper’s eyes say.
No clue, mine answer.
I’d say I’m surprised they’re arguing this early, but it’s them. They’re always arguing over something…then making up like they’re sex-crazed teens.
I clear my throat. “Did we interrupt something?”
“Just Dean being Dean,” River answers, brushing her long dark red hair behind her shoulder and throwing daggers at her boyfriend.
The man in question tosses his fork down onto his plate, the utensil clattering loudly. He runs his hands through his messy midnight hair, though you’d never be able to tell because that’s how he always wears it. During the week when he’s teaching English to fifth graders, Dean is way more buttoned up than he is now, minus the always messy hair.
“What exactly is that supposed to mean, River?” he asks, his eyes narrowed on her in exasperation.
“It means you’re just being you.” She shrugs, her off-the-shoulder top slipping further down. “You know, a total jackass.”
“How?! I gave you the cherry pie this time!”
She leans across the table. “You can’t seriously think that makes up for what happened last night.”
“Jesus, River. Is that what this is about?” He pinches the bridge of his nose between his fingers. “It happened. Get over it already.”
“What happened?” Cooper asks.
“Dean accidentally watched the season finale of the show we’ve been bingeing without me.”
“I didn’t mean to!” he argues. “It auto-played. It’s a good show. I couldn’t look away.”
“For two whole episodes?” River sasses back, pushing her nearly empty plate of pie away from her and crossing her arms over her chest, pouting at her boyfriend. “While I slept right next to you?”
“I said I was sorry and I got you pie this morning.”
“I don’t know, River—I think pie makes up for it. Plus, accidents happen.”
My mouth drops open. “Accidents happen, Coop? What happened to accidents don’t just happen accidentally?”
“That’s different.”
“How?!”
“Because you groped me.”
Dean and River both turn to me, their eyes wide with surprise.
I close my eyes, wishing again for the second time in less than twenty-four hours that a hole would open up and swallow me down to the pits of hell, because I’d much rather be there than sitting here with everyone staring at me.
I can feel Cooper laughing across from me, and like the mature adult I am, I kick at him under the table.
When I don’t make contact, I peel my eyes open and look underneath. The bastard is smart and must have known it was coming because he’s just out of reach.
He bends, meeting my angry stare.
“Sorry,” his mouth says, but his eyes say something else entirely.
I shake my head at him, pushing myself back upright.
“Um, Caroline,” River says calmly, amusement dancing in her eyes, “care to explain what your dimwitted best friend is going on about?”
“Hey!” Cooper says defensively. “Why am I in trouble?”
“Because I’m mad at Dean and men suck.”
“Sorry, man,” Dean says to Cooper.
“Stay out of this,” River barks at him before turning back to me. “What’s he going on about?”
“It’s nothing,” I say quietly.
“That doesn’t sound like nothing,” Dean pushes.
Another glare from River.
“I guess Caroline finally gave in to her sexual urges regarding me and just couldn’t stay away any longer.” Cooper tips himself back in his chair, smirking like he’s the funniest man in the world. “She caught me coming out of the shower, got a good look at my hot man chest, and couldn’t help herself.”
I curl my lip. “Nobody says hot man chest.”
“But am I wrong?” he counters, still grinning.
“Yes!”
“What really happened?” River asks.
I explain to her the events from last night, and she’s a good enough friend to not laugh until I finish telling the story.
Then she can’t stop laughing.
“It’s not that funny,” I grumble.
She gets her giggles under control, fanning her face. “It really is though.”
“She has a point,” Dean says, chuckling. “I mean, what are the