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“No,” I say, almost too quickly. Tatum gives me a side-eye, and I scramble to find anything else I know about Thom and Laine. “They’re good friends.”

“Yikes! He’s gotten to her!” Jared smacks his hands to the sides of his head facetiously.

“Hey, be nice! He’s actually a sweet guy.” I protest back.

“He’s gotten to you, too!” Jared’s jaw drops exaggeratedly.

“Wait, pause. Are you friends with him, too?” Tatum cocks her head and raises a brow at me.

“I don’t know if I’d say friends, but I’ve talked to him at the late-night ice cream parlor he works at.”

“He works at Starry Scoops? That little shop around the corner from Riverside Elementary?” Greyson chimes in, looking just as confused as Tatum and Jared.

“He not only works there, but his dad owns the shop as a second income, and Thom helps him out.” I nod.

Greyson throws his hands up. “See, I told you guys not to judge someone’s character based on rumors.”

“Okay, we get it. You’re right as always, Greyson.” Tatum scoffs at him, letting a small chuckle slip from her lips.

“He’s a good guy, and he’s a good friend to Laine as far as I know,” I add.

“You know what, speaking of Laine…” Tatum starts, giving me yet another side-eye.

My chest drops as her name is mentioned in that context. I should have known my friends would figure out something was going on. After all, they know me better than I know myself at times.

Jared picks up on my reaction, smiling cheekily. “Yeah, Drew. Don’t think we haven’t noticed how jumpy you get whenever we mention her. Or how you change the conversation every time.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say in defense, though I know they see right through me.

They all stare me down, and finally, I give in. “Okay, fine. She kissed me. There! Is that what you’re all dying to know?”

“I knew there was something going on!” Tatum shouts a little too loudly.

“Is that all you guys did? Or are you leaving out more? Come on, Drew! Don’t starve us on the details!” Jared jumps in eagerly.

“Hey, have some respect, man.” Greyson shoots Jared a look from across the couch, and Jared’s wide clown smile softens.

“No, I’m serious, that’s it. We just kissed.” I pause, debating whether to tell them my recent reservations about Laine or just let them be happy for me. I decide on the latter. “A lot. Multiple times.”

“OooOOooh! You know what this calls for?” Jared shouts, standing too fast and almost falling over. “Rain dance party outside!”

“Are you crazy?” Greyson exclaims, despite jumping from his place on the couch, looking like he’s ready to pounce out the door.

“MY HAIR!” Tatum coos.

“I have a sleeping bonnet you could borrow?” Greyson offers, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

Jared pokes at Greyson’s chest with a chuckle. “A what?”

“I sleep with a bonnet. I’m into hair care, sue me!” Greyson deadpans, sarcastically throwing his hands up.

“I’ll take it,” Tatum says, running over to Greyson’s bag and grabbing a silky black hair cap from it.

“Well, now that that’s settled… YOLO!” Jared pushes past Greyson and beats Tatum to the door, tugging it open and sprinting outside.

I follow suit, running out into the heavy pouring rain, stopping only briefly to yank my socks off, because I’m not a psycho who enjoys putting on wet socks. Greyson follows shortly after me, tossing his socks neatly on top of his shoes by the door.

Outside, the thunder has stopped, but the rain persists, making for an exciting thrill of a feeling as we scream and dance and twirl around in it. I look up to the sky, closing my eyes and sticking my tongue out. I don’t care if the water’s toxic, as I’m basking in the moment with my best friends.