"I mean, we don't have to. I just thought—"
"No, it's okay. We can. I'm just …" I sighed, stuffing my hands into my pockets. "I'm still tired, I guess."
He nodded like he understood. "Oh, yeah, I get that. Well, we could just go for a little bit and come back. Maybe stay for an hour or so, say hi to some people, and get out of there."
I agreed, mostly for his benefit than mine. But underneath my lack of desire to go, there was also the slightest bit of hope that I'd see someone. A certain girl. One I'd turned down and left brokenhearted.
One who had said she’d hate me forever, but maybe … just maybe … in the time I’d been gone … she’d changed her mind.
***
And there she was.
Ricky had called Molly, just as he’d said he would, and we had taken his car down to McDonald's to meet up with her. And now she was walking through the door.
Laura followed close behind.
Ricky's elbow jabbed me in the ribs, and I sat up a little taller. I wasn't sure what I should expect from this. Hell, I wasn't even sure why she'd come at all, but I was so glad that she had.
"Max!" Molly squealed, running over to throw her arms around my neck.
"Hey, Molly," I said, returning the hug while my eyes sought out Laura's.
"So, how's the Army?" Molly asked, rounding the table to drop into Ricky's lap. "Your arms look nice. Right, Laura? Doesn't Max look good?"
I tried not to smile as Molly had obviously tried to toss a bone in my corner. We had been friends during my senior year, sure, but we’d never been incredibly close. Her efforts now were appreciated though. I wasn't sure I could say the same for Laura, who only dropped into the seat across from me and folded her arms against the table without once looking up to meet my eye.
"He looks all right, I guess," she replied coolly, shrugging one shoulder with painful nonchalance. "Not sure about the hair though."
"Are you kidding me?" Molly gawked at her friend as she reached over to run her palm over the top of my head. "The boy is a freakin'soldier, and it isworkingfor him."
I laughed, feeling the telltale heat of a blush blooming across my cheeks. "Thanks, I think."
Laura cleared her throat and shifted in her seat, pulling her folded arms closer to her chest as she turned to look out into the restaurant. I tipped my head, trying to follow her gaze, trying to catch her eye somehow. But her avoidance was intentional, and I wondered again why she had bothered to come.
"Hey," I whispered, pushing my foot forward to nudge hers.
She sighed audibly, giving her head a little irritable shake. "Hi," she murmured on a breath.
"I'm glad you came."
Laura rolled her eyes to mine, looking unamused. "I didn't exactly have a choice. Molly made me."
Molly snorted. "Oh, right, sure. And I made you get dressed and do your makeup too, right?"
Ricky chuckled at that and murmured under his breath, "Busted."
Laura turned away again, and I said, "I guess you're still mad at me, huh?"
She swallowed and bit the corner of her lip before replying, "Oh, no, Max. Why would I be mad?"
"I can think of a few reasons. But I was kinda hoping that, since you're here anyway, maybe you could … I don't know … maybe not besomad. Just for a little while."
All of a sudden, she looked like she wanted to cry. I couldn't stand that she wanted to cry. I couldn't stand that I could have that effect on her …again.
She blew out a shaky breath. "I hate you forever though, remember?"
"How could I forget?"
