Apparently I was Shotgun Sally.
I found a folder in the Land Rover, and I hurried to hang one of the signs: “You have been flocked by your friendly neighbors. Please don’t disturb. All birds will be removed within 24 hours and moved to their next nesting home.” A phone number was attached for further information, and the bottom noted that all proceeds would go to the Brain Injury Awareness Association.
I was impressed with everyone’s efficiency, and we were at the fourth house within an hour. Once the Land Rover was emptied of birds, we followed the second truck and helped them, but I wasn’t in charge of the signs anymore. Now I was able to help stuff the birds into the lawns, which gave me a perverse thrill. It was quite satisfying to wind up and slam a flamingo rod into the ground, leaving the grass thoroughly flocked.
We were at the eighth house when I saw someone walking toward us, his hands in his pockets and shoulders hunched forward. I would’ve recognized him anywhere, and I paused. The guys were a well-oiled machine by now, so I knew the house would be done within seconds.
Caden stood next to me as Kevin approached. “You want me to stay close?”
“He’s got the perp-walk look to him. I don’t think he’s here to be a dipshit.” I hoped not.
“I’ll be waiting back here.”
The guys finished when Kevin stopped in front of me, his baseball cap pulled low. My heart twisted. I always liked how he looked when he wore that hat. Somehow it made him seem angsty, more mysterious. Now I couldn’t help but wonder how Caden would look in a baseball cap.
Kevin assessed me with tired eyes before taking in the guys behind me. They were heading to the second truck. Caden waved them on, gesturing to me and Kevin at the same time. I had no doubt he was explaining that the Land Rover might be a while.
“Hey.”
I was right. He didn’t sound like a dipshit tonight.
“Are you here to apologize or attack?” I asked.
He gripped the back of his neck, letting his arm hang there a moment. “Neither. I was hoping just to talk.” He gestured to the truck that was now pulling away, moving past us. “I was told the fraternity was helping out with the flamingos tonight. I was coming to lend a hand. I see some of Marcus’ crew is here too. I didn’t know you’d be here, actually, but I’m glad you are.” His hand slid into his jeans pocket. “I wanted to come see you.”
“I thought you were pissed at your fraternity.” He wanted back in. I could see it on his face, in his envious look when the truck left.
“I am. I’m not. I don’t know. I’ve had time to think stuff over, and I was an idiot.”
I snorted. “Just this one time?”
“Summer, come on.”
We stood on the passenger side of Caden’s Land Rover. I knew he was on the other side, listening. I folded my arms over my chest. “You need to apologize to me. You attacked me at the bowling alley, and you had no right.”
He grew quiet, shuffling his feet around, but staying in one place.
My chest tightened. Was he not going to say anything? At all?
Then he did, half-mumbling. “Why’d you lie to me?”
“About what?”
“You couldn’t stand Banks. Then the next time I see you, he’s protecting you. From me.”
“He’s my friend, and the first time you saw me, he wasn’t. It’s as simple as that.”
“You could be a little nicer about it.”
“Why? What do I owe you?”
“You know he’s my enemy.”
I shook my head. “You were dating his brother’s girlfriend. That makes you Marcus’ enemy. Caden is your fraternity brother.”
“Come on. Seriously? You could’ve told me you were friends.”
It wasn’t his business, but he was right. I hadn’t told him on purpose. I sighed, leaning back against the Land Rover.
“I knew you wouldn’t like it. I guess that’s why I didn’t tell you. And he is, you know. He’s a good friend to me.”
“Caden Banks doesn’t have female friends, Sum. You should think about that.”
“Well, now he does.” My tone cooled. He needed to back off. That was also none of his business. “And stop, Kevin. You don’t have a right to use a nickname for me. We were housemates, remember?”
He looked up, eyes blazing. “Don’t start with that.”
“With what?”
“Summer, I…” He kicked at the gravel on the road. “Listen, what we had—”
I didn’t want to listen. “Our one-night mistake, you mean?”
“Stop.”
I pushed off the Land Rover, but wrapped my arms around myself. “What do you want, Kevin?”
“Stop. I haven’t said anything.”
“I can see it. I don’t even want to talk about this. What we did was a mistake. I see that now, but I’m doing my own thing. I don’t care if you don’t like it. It’s none of your business.” My lungs were stinging. “What, are you jealous that I might be interested in someone else?”
He was such an asshole. I’d had enough. I reached for the door.
“Yeah. Maybe I am.”
I turned back. He had no right, no right at all. I felt punched in the chest. “Oh my God.”
Kevin stepped in front of the door so I couldn’t close it after I got inside. “I’m sorry, Summer. I am.”