Joel gave something like a shrug, but said nothing.
I forced another smile. "Hey, would you mind scooting out of the way?"
"Why?"
"Because I wanna get out."
"No need. I’m leaving."
I felt a twinge of panic. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, the trip's over. I'm heading out."
Now, it was more than a twinge. "To where?"
"Does it matter?"
Okay, I realized that I'd been pretty rude last night, but couldn’t he see how everything had looked from my point-of-view? I studied his face. Apparently not.
I sighed. "Look, I'm sorry, okay?"
He shrugged. "Okay."
"Will you please just step aside? I really wanna talk."
"Yeah? I know the feeling."
I stared up at him. "What is this? Some kind of payback? Just because I wouldn’t let you in last night?"
His jaw tightened. "I never asked to come in."
I cringed. He was right. He hadn't. All he'd asked was for me to come outside so I could see the surprise. And stubbornly, I'd refused.
I felt awful. Still, I had to point out the obvious. "It was the middle of the night. How was I supposed to know?"
"You weren't. That's why they call it a surprise."
"Well, maybe Iwassurprised, but not by that."
At Joel's blank expression, I plowed onward, "I was surprised you ditched me. You know, for those two other girls."
His expression didn't change. "What?"
Heat flooded my face. Was he really going to make me spell it out? Lamely, I mumbled, "I mean, is it any wonder I might've been a little miffed?"
"Miffed?"
I mumbled, "Well, yeah."
His eyebrows lifted. "Twogirls? Like one isn't enough?"
He was totally missing the point. I looked away. "I dunno. Forget it."
"Whichtwo girls?"
I was still looking away.Oh, I don't know. Maybe the two chicks hanging off you at T.J.'s.But I didn't say it. I couldn’t. He'd only think I was spying on him, assuming that he didn’t think that already. And besides, it was a little early in our relationship – if you could call it that – to get all crazy jealous on him.
For what felt like the millionth time, I reminded myself that he wasn't my boyfriend or anything. And even if he was, it's not like Cassie had seen them humping in the corner. Who knows, maybe they were all just friends. I bit my lip. Friends with benefits?
