always feel so guilty.”
I make a dismissive noise, though I’m not trying to dismiss what she’s saying. “My parents are in a constant state of disappointment when it comes to me. I’ve been to the principal and vice principal’s office so many times, it’s like they have a chair with my name on it. Trust me, you’ll be fine.”
“What I did was really bad,” she murmurs, her voice shaky.
“More like badass.” Her head jerks up, wide eyes meeting mine. “You got in a fight with Cami over me. She’s always giving everyone endless shit, and you shut her up with a slug to the face. If that’s not badass, I don’t know what is.”
“You’re just trying to make me feel better.”
I turn in my seat so I’m facing her. “I’m trying to tell you that what you did was fucking awesome. Cami deserves worse. She is the daughter of Satan.”
Ava giggles. “She’s terrible.”
“Evil,” I say.
“Rude.” Another giggle from Ava.
“Yeah.” I nod enthusiastically. “You did everyone at your school a favor. Wait until the rumors spread, because you know that’s already happening. They’ll probably consider you a hero tomorrow. People are going to approach you, some you won’t even know, and they’ll offer up their thanks for putting that bitch in her place.”
Ava laughs, and hearing the sound fills me with relief. I don’t want her sad over this. Cami isn’t worth her worry and tears. “I don’t know if that’s going to happen.”
I put on my best skeptical expression. “Come on. They’ll bow at your feet.”
Her laughter slowly dies, though the sparkle in her eyes doesn’t. “Thank you for making me feel better.”
Leaning in close to her, I cup the back of her head, drawing her mouth to mine. “There’s nothing else I’d rather do,” I tell her.
Just before I kiss her.
Nineteen
Ava
Eli takes me to that little Mexican restaurant we went to a while ago. The place with the delicious tacos. I let him drive my car and even though he, at first, took corners like a maniac, I eventually got him to calm down and drive like a civilized human being.
That, and all the rain slowed him down too. It’s really coming down. So hard, Eli makes me stay in the car while he dashes out through it, running to the takeout window, so he can place our order. I grab my phone and text my mom, letting her know I met up with Eli for dinner and that I’ll be home later.
Mom: Drive safe! It’s supposed to rain the rest of the night.
Me: I will. Love you.
Mom: Love you too. Be home by ten.
Me: Ten? That’s so early!
Mom: It’s a school night.
Me: You’ve let me stay out later before.
Mom: Not when it’s raining like crazy. I want you home by ten. Not a minute later.
“Ugh.” I say the word out loud, though there’s no one around to hear me. I should feel guilty for keeping my run in with Cami out of the conversation, but how am I supposed to bring that up via text? It won’t go over well in person either.
In other words, I’m screwed.
Glancing over my shoulder, I check to see what Eli’s doing. He’s sitting at one of the tables that are under the overhang by the takeout window, messing around on his phone. He’s got this intense look on his face, his messy hair tumbling over his forehead, and an ache forms deep inside me.
We don’t have a lot of time tonight. And I’m desperate to feel his hands on me.
Ten minutes later and he’s ducking back into my car, carrying a fragrant to-go bag. “I’m starving,” he says as he rips into the paper bag, pulling out foil wrapped tacos and handing them to me. “This is yours.”
“Thank you.” I undo the foil and inhale deeply. The taco meat smells spicy and delicious, and without hesitation, I grab one and take a big bite. “Oh my God, this is so good,” I tell him, my mouth full.
He immediately appears in pain. “Babe. The last time you went on about those tacos, all I could think about was how much I wanted to eat your taco.”
“Eli,” I choke out as I start to laugh. “Seriously?”
He nods. Grabs a taco and shoves almost half of it in his mouth. “You make sexy sounds when you eat,” he says after he swallows.
Grabbing the edge of the shredded paper bag, I peek inside to see a smaller paper bag at the bottom. I pull it out