“Honestly? Three weeks. I didn’t respond to Nikki and kept getting in trouble when the teacher would refer to me as such and I’d ignore her.”
I laugh. “That’s cute. I used to go by another name too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yep. Asshole.”
She snorts unattractively, snuggling herself under the comforter, pulling it up until it hits her chin. She rolls over to her side so she faces me. “Shut up. You’re far from an asshole.”
“Not according to the people I went to high school with. Everyone hated me.”
“Why?”
“Because I was an asshole.”
Her curious eyes shrink to slits as she looks for something. “I don’t see it.”
“That’s because I’m long past that point. Sarcasm is my only asshole move nowadays.”
“I love sarcasm.”
“Me too. It’s my favorite.”
She smiles shyly as I stand there staring. “Gaige?” she says.
“Haley?”
“You can get in the bed.”
I let out a long breath. “Okay.” I lift the covers and slide in, adjusting the pillow a little. I make sure I’m not touching her at all, and if I’m honest, I’m probably lying stiffer than a board right now. The nerves roll through me, picking and eating at me. “This is weird.”
“Why are you whispering?”
“Because this is weird,” I say, still whispering.
I can feel her laughter rather than hear it. “It’s only weird if we make it weird.”
Rolling over, I face her, mirroring her position. I study her, looking for anything that would give me a glimpse inside her thoughts right now. I have to know if she’s as nervous as me, if she’s concerned at all. She’s not. I can see it. She’s calm and collected.
“How is this not weird?”
“You took me home last night.”
“So?”
“And you didn’t fondle me.”
“Do I get a reward?”
“No, you get this.”
“And this is?”
Her eyes sparkle. “This is two acquaintances becoming friends.”
“Is this how you become friends with everyone?”
“Only the people who promise to stick around.”
