Page 20 of Switchin' Lanes

“What do you think?” Marley holds up her can of Malibu and pineapple juice with a grin.

“I take that as a yes.” Sketch laughs.

“Are you manning the grill today,” Marley asks Sketch.

“No, Shade is in charge of it today,” he tells her.

I glance around the yard, trying to find Diesel. Instead, I find Hollywood. He’s walking inside, so I decide to follow him. Hoping I’ll be able to get him to talk to me. Once inside, I find him sitting on the couch, alone. I walk over and sit opposite him.

“Hi,” I say.

“Hi.”

He’s not moving to get away from me so I’ll take that as a win.

“Can we talk,” I ask, hopeful.

“Go ahead,” he says.

My heart rate picks up. “I know you need time, but you need to know how I feel.”

“Why does it matter? You’re with Diesel.”

“Would you believe it if I told you my feelings for you are as strong as my feelings for him,” I ask.

His face twists in confusion.

“Since you’ve been distancing yourself from us, I’ve felt like a piece of me is missing. That piece is you, Hollywood. I miss you,” I tell him.

He doesn’t respond but I can see the wheels turning in his head. When I think he’s going to respond, he shakes his head, stands, and walks away, leaving me sitting alone and hurt.