Dating and Dragons (Dungeons and Drama, #2) (36)

Logan: They were for a character, don’t ask.

I stare down at the photo, trying to puzzle out what to make of it. He made it clear that he left Kashvi’s early because of me, but now he’s texting me? Although I guess texting is very different from hanging out together. Or, who knows, maybe he just really doesn’t want these dice anymore.

“Those are cute,” Kashvi says, glancing at the photo on my phone.

I startle and sit up straight. “Logan just sent this. It sounds like he wants to give them to me.”

“He does?” Kashvi’s eyebrows furrow. “He’s always been weirdly protective over his dice. Almost as bad as Mark.”

“He noticed the bracelets we made—our awesome bracelets, that is”—I jangle the bracelets on my wrist for effect—“and must have decided to help out the cause.”

“Huh…well, that’s cool of him because those are beautiful dice.” She checks her phone. “I’m surprised he didn’t text us both about it, though.”

There’s a flash of something in her expression. Maybe it’s surprise. Or could it be jealousy? Immediately the gnawing hurt over losing Paige returns. Even before my infamous bad date with Caden, Paige was always bothered if I talked too much to Caden at the games or had jokes or conversations with the others that she wasn’t part of. I didn’t mind it at the time. It almost made me feel special, as if Paige considered me such a good friend that she couldn’t share me with anyone. Of course, looking back, I see that it was completely one-sided. She was happy to chat and flirt without including me; I just wasn’t supposed to do the same. Then I went out with Caden and all hell broke loose.

I glance at the field and slide my hands under my thighs so I don’t fidget. Could Kashvi be similar? Maybe I should be a little more cautious with what I tell her. I really like her—I want us to be the kind of friends who can share all the details of our lives without judgment—but I’m also scared. I’m not sure if we’re there yet.

My phone vibrates, but I don’t look at it on the off chance that Logan has texted again.

“Mark texted us,” Kashvi tells me, and holds up her phone. “He’s hanging out tonight at the diner where Sloane works. It would be fun for you to see it. Do you think your parents would let us go after the game?”

“Maybe?” My parents usually don’t like us to be out late, but a small-town diner isn’t exactly worrisome.

“Hey, Mom?” I touch her arm to get her attention—she’s so transfixed by the game that I’m not sure she can hear me.

“Hmm?”

“Would it be okay if Kashvi and I meet our other friends after the game?”

It takes a second for the words to sink in, but she frowns and turns to me. “Where?”

“The Elm Street Diner,” Kashvi jumps in. “Our friend Sloane works there, and it’s always so quiet we use it like a library to get work done.”

She’s laying it on a bit thick in my opinion, but Mom’s frown fades. “That sounds like it could be fun for y—”

“Yes! Go, Andrew!” Dad cheers next to her. Mom’s attention flips back to the game, and Kashvi gives me a thumbs-up.

“I’ll text the others to see if they can make it. Sanjiv will come for sure. He never turns down a hangout or food.”

“Well done. You’re a parent-whisperer.”

“I have overprotective parents, so I have lots of practice,” she replies. “Why do you think we have all our games at my house?”

I laugh and clap for Andrew even though I’m not sure what’s happening in the game. Despite my worries before, I’m glad I asked her to come with me. The best way to become better friends is by doing stuff like this together. And now I’ll get a chance to hang out with the others outside of the game too. Well, everyone except for Logan, since I’m sure he’ll come up with an excuse to avoid me.

I try to keep my thoughts from him, but my self-control is quickly slipping where Logan is concerned. I’d like to truly be friends with him, but in order for that to happen, I need to banish any other thoughts about him. It’s hard to forget the way my pulse sped when he touched my wrist after the game on Saturday, or how I was tempted to kiss him for a moment in the attic. That’s not how friends think or act around each other.

Beside me, Mom jumps to her feet, and Kashvi yells on my other side. I’m so out of it that I’ve completely lost track of what’s happening around me. I stand and cheer without knowing why.

“What happened?” I ask Kashvi.

“Your brother just scored another goal with only a minute left.” She glances at me with a smirk. “You’re really not into soccer, huh?”

“I guess not.”

Better to agree than explain where my thoughts have truly been focused.



* * *





After the game, Kashvi drives us to the diner. I shove my hands into my pockets to keep them warm and take in the sight. It’s not the nicest place I’ve ever seen. The yellow building has a rusted metal awning and a mostly empty parking lot that’s so run-down that it’s hard not to hit a pothole. Even the Open sign is flickering, as if the diner isn’t sure how much longer it can hold on. I raise an eyebrow at Kashvi.