Page 46 of The Rowdy Ones

Knowing Wild, he’ll beat his cousin’s ass and cause a huge scene. The whole family will want to know why he kicked his ass. Then the secret of what Evan did to me will be out. Yeah, not interested in that shit.

Me: its fine dude but if i have to work out with them your coming with me

Wild: You’re.

Why does he keep texting me this stupid shit? Sometimes I feel like a confused alien from another world, especially when around Wild.

Me: waht

Wild: For fuck’s sake. We’ll talk when you get back.

My mind is a mess.

The more I think about Gwen this morning and her accusation that Rowdy was too possessive, the more bewildered and frustrated I become.

Rowdy’s…something.

But that’s just how the men in my family are. They’re overprotective, fierce, and don’t really care what anyone thinks about it. If Rowdy weren’t here and Ryder or Ronan or even Dad were, it’d be the same way. They would distrust everyone, worry I was going to die or be taken advantage of, and hate the idea of me dating someone.

Speaking of Weston.

I listen to his text again.

Weston: Want to go on an adventure after your therapy is over? Mom said she thinks she upset you and that you might need cheering up.

“Wait,” a voice chirps from the stall next to me. “Are you dating Weston Simmons?”

Nosy much?

The voice is familiar. Thatcher and Angelica introduced me to some other people at lunchtime in the cafeteria. I think this girl’s name is Claudia.

“Yeah,” I say, a question in my voice. “Why?”

She chuckles, the sound raspy. It’s definitely Claudia. I remember her laugh was strange but recognizable. “Because, if so, I’m jealous. Anyone with working eyes says he’s so hot.”

Neither of us has working eyes, so we have to take their word for it.

“But,” she continues as she flushes the toilet, “he’s also super sweet. Not a lot of nice guys these days.”

I finish up in the stall and then make my way to where the sink is. Everything is motion-sensored, spitting out soap, water, and paper towels without much effort.

“Are you going to text him back?” Claudia asks, bumping into me. “Ask if you can bring a friend.”

I giggle at her insistence. “He’s a one-woman kind of guy, I think.”

“A girl can dream,” she says with a dramatic sigh. “Want to exchange numbers? You can tell me all about it later and I can live vicariously through you.”

Since this is a more reasonable request, I instruct my phone to add Claudia and her number to my contacts. She does the same for me.

“Did we just become best friends?” she asks, tugging me to her for a hug. “You smell like a boy. Did you make out with him before showing up here today?”

Claudia is intense, but I like her.

“No making out,” I assure her. “I’ve been staying in my cousin’s room. His cologne is obnoxious.”

She leans in so close that I can smell cinnamon on her breath. “Is he the one everyone around here talks about? I’ve heard rumors.”

Rumors?