Page 63 of Room to Breathe

I’d already figured that out about Cody—that he did what he wanted. “Okay, thanks.”

“I’ll tell him you stopped by, Indy.”

“Thanks,” I said. “I can just text him too.” I patted my pocket.

“If that’s the case, I wonder why you wastedmytime.” With those words she shut the door.

She wasn’t wrong. I should’ve just texted again. I headed back down the walkway to the sidewalk. Ava’s car was parked behind mine in front of Harper’s house now. I took a breath of relief, glad my friends had arrived. As I walked toward Harper’s front door again, I heard voices. One was Beau’s.

I took several more steps until he came into view. He stood with the girl who’d answered the door earlier—Lucy. He looked angry, but that seemed to be his default lately. At least when I was around. Before I could register what was happening, they were kissing.

A surprised squeak escaped my mouth and I froze. Then Lucy laughed and ran back inside the house. She had been blocking his view of me but now, with her gone, I was right in his line of sight.

“It’s not what it looked like,” he said. His expression had changed to panic.

“Okay,” I said.

“She wanted to get French fries. She’s drunk. I told her I wouldn’t let her drive drunk. She kissed me. I pushed her away.”He raked his hand through his hair. “She was so drunk. I didn’t want that.”

He seemed shaken up.

“You okay?” I asked.

“Yeah.” He sighed. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

He didn’t seem fine. I softened a bit. “Are you sure? Should I go beat her up? I will.”

He smiled. “I’d like to see that.”

“Jones!” a voice called from down the street, followed by the sound of wheels on sidewalk. I turned to see Cody skating my way. As he reached me, he hooked an arm around my waist, slowing himself to a stop. Then he stood behind me, on his board, his chin resting on the top of my head, both hands on my waist now.

“Hi,” I said, putting my hands over his.

“Is that thing attached to your feet?” Beau asked.

“I wish,” Cody said.

Beau’s eyes shot to mine. I knew what he was thinking—that I was too smart for Cody. But that was a snobby thing to think. Cody could’ve been a genius for all we knew. And even if he wasn’t, he seemed like a nice guy.

“I met your mom,” I said to Cody.

“That’s my grandma.”

“Oh, I met your grandma.” I played with his fingers at my waist. Picking them up one at a time and then letting them go.

“Was she grouchy?” he asked.

“Very.”

He laughed. “She makes a killer chocolate chip cookie if you don’t mind a little cigarette ash in the batter.”

“I think I do mind,” I said.

“Then you should probably avoid her cooking.” He jumped off his board. “Can I take you for a walk?”

“Take me for a walk?”

“Step on.” He pointed to his board. I obeyed; then he did just what he said he was going to—took me by the hand, like my arm was a leash, and pulled me along.