Page 78 of Personal Foul

“Liv’s been convinced for a while that something was going on there. She thought maybe he was wearing you down. And that morning when you came down the steps, I mean we all were having a hard time believing the two of you just slept and nothing happened. But I said that he probably tried, and you told him to go to hell. And Liv said she thought you might be soft on him, and knowing he was hurting…”

“Well, I’m going to lose the 100 on a technicality, but I also have a little confession.” Liv swirls the drink in her glass.

“What?” Kenz looks at her.

“I might have gone upstairs while the two of them were fucking and heard them.”

“You hussy! Trying to hustle me out of my money when you had hard evidence!” Kenz points at her.

“I mean it wasn’t hard evidence. But I heard things crash and then whispering and giggling. So I assumed it wasn’t fighting… Not many other options, but I wasn’t for sure.”

“Still cheating,” Kenz admonishes.

“And then when we went on vacation, I was suspicious. And when I asked East to take you out to dinner, the way he jumped on it…” Liv adds.

“And I’m guessing him driving me home and showing up at the hospital…”

“Honestly that was the surprising part. I thought it was you two fucking things out of your system since you’re always at each other’s throats. But when he looked so worried….” Liv looks at me thoughtfully.

“Yeah. He really stepped up. I was surprised too. I didn’t know he could be like that,” I say quietly.

“So are you together then?” Kenz looks at me.

“Not exactly. I don’t know what we are… You know he’ll get drafted. And I have the bar and Gramps. Doesn’t really leave us room to be anything.” I shrug.

“So it’s just fucking then? No feelings involved?” Liv asks.

“Ha… well… it was supposed to be that way.”

“But…?”

“But then we might have said we loved each other?”

“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Easton Westfield… the Easton we’ve all seen at parties. The one who never met a sorority girl he didn’t want to fuck.ThatEaston said he loves you?” Kenz looks at me.

“Kenz!” Liv scolds her.

“I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant like… Listen I’m not judging. I’m with Waylon, so I get it. I just—”

“It’s fine. I know what you mean. We all know how Easton is. Or was, I guess. It’s fine.” I shake my head. “And yes, he said he loves me.”

“Damn.” Kenz blinks.

“I for one, support this,” Liv says matter-of-factly.

“I mean, I think I do too. If you brought that beast to heel, Iamimpressed. And I will be asking for tips.” Kenz smirks at me.

We all laugh a little, and I sit back in the booth.

“It’s scary though. I don’t… I’m not much better at the relationship thing than he is. Most of my guy experience in college is one-night stands too. Or benefits situations. And East is more than that to me.”

“You’ll figure it out. Just take it one step at a time.” Liv gives me a little half-smile.

“If Waylon and I could figure things out… you guys can for sure.” Kenz bumps her shoulder into mine gently.

“I really hope so.” I sigh.

THIRTY-THREE