Page 82 of Whiskey Sour

No reaction.

“Well, it was more than that.”

Still silence.

“Well?”

Butch is the first one to speak. “Kid, this isn’t new.”

“If you called us here to brag about your sex life, could we take turns?” Max asks, fidgeting in his seat. “Little dude, my balls are so blue, I’m afraid they might fall off.”

Everest chuckles as he blushes. “I’m not telling you about my sex life, Max.”

Max frowns. “I bet you’re freaky as fuck. Butch?”

“Pass.” Butch snorts.

“I’m in love with Cassius!”

Okay, maybe there was a more eloquent way of putting that. And maybe I should have waited until the waitress—who’s quirking an eyebrow at me—finished dropping off our food.

The silence returns.

Everest is the one to break it this time, smiling widely. “That’s great, Skylar.”

“Are we supposed to be surprised?” Butch asks, rolling his eyes. “You’ve been in love with him for years.”

“No, I haven’t!” I argue as I stuff a hash brown in my mouth. “This is a new development. Completely shocked me. I’m reeling, man.”

Max shakes his head with a laugh. “Davis and I had a bet for when this would happen. I won the loot.”

Butch wrinkles his nose as he stabs his pancake. “I see.”

“I need help,” I say, breaking through whatever weird tension is between them. “What should I do?”

“What do you mean?” Everest asks, completely confused. “He’s obviously in love with you too. What’s standing in your way now?”

“But how do youknow?” I ask. “I have no idea what he feels.”

“Skylar.” Butch levels me with a glare. “You’re fucking kidding, right?”

“Even I’m a bit skeptical,” Max mumbles. “I’m new and I know that.”

Now they’re making me feel like an idiot. And an asshole. An idiotic asshole who ignored all the signs. To be fair, I didn’t. In my defense, Cassius and I were just best friends. That’s part of the confusion. The frustration too.

Because deep down in my heart, I know he feels the same way.

And how could I have missed it? He might never have said it, but it’s been laced in all his actions. Maybe I just didn’t want to?Maybe I really am a dumbass? Maybe I clung to the relationship I had for comfort?

And what am I supposed to feel about what I learned last night? How do I come to terms with the fact that I’m in love with my best friend? How do I get rid of this nagging feeling that I’m just not good enough for him?

See, this is why I needed the prom squad. Except now, I’m starting to regret it.

“This was a mistake,” I say quickly, fishing out my wallet for a couple of dollars. “I’m going to go?—”

“Don’t,” Everest rushes out. “We’re sorry. We’re not being very helpful, are we?”

“Not really,” I mutter.