What the hell. “No he didn’t.”
“Yes he did.”
Usually Monika is understanding and calm, but there are these moments when she gets so passionate and hyped about something that she gets all animated. This is one of those times. It’s fun to watch her transition, like she’s giving herself permission to take her halo off. “And get this,” she adds. “Who do you think I was strapped into the death trap next to?”
“Hit me with it.”
She crosses her arms, making her boobs stand out even more than usual. Damn, this is torture.
I swear this is a test.
I suck at tests.
“The person you despise most in the world,” she says.
Only one person comes to mind. “Matthew Bonk?”
She nods.
Holy shit. That pendejo is my number-one enemy. “Damn.”
“I know, right?” she says, sitting forward in the chair. “He was smoking weed on the ride. Oh, and get this. He said some crazy shit about going to Fremont’s homecoming with your sister Dani.”
“Yeah right.” My sister doesn’t even know the guy.
“And you know what my boyfriend was doing the entire time I was forced to be strapped in next to Bonk? He was talking on his phone and never even got on the roller coaster.”
Trey is my elmero mero, the guy who’ll always have my back. I’ve got to admit it’s hard juggling my friendship with Trey and Monika, especially because of the feelings I have for her. I get Monika. I know what she likes and what she hates. But as she said, Trey is my boy—my teammate and best friend.
“Who was he talkin’ to?” I ask.
“He said his cousin Darius. Can you believe that? I mean, I wouldn’t be mad if it was an important call, but Darius? The guy who borrows money from Trey without any intention of ever paying him back? Darius doesn’t care that Trey is poor and doesn’t have money to throw away.”
Trey wouldn’t turn down anyone in need, even if it meant sacrificing himself.
It’s hard to have this conversation. It’s not like Monika and I never talk or hang out. We do. But she’s usually not bashing Trey.
“Maybe you should talk about this with Ashtyn or Bree,” I tell her.
“You know Trey the best, Vic. Have you noticed he’s been acting weird? He says it’s stress, but there’s more.”
“Like what?”
She shrugs, as if she’s not sure about anything. “I don’t want to tell you. I need you to talk to him.”
“He’s fine. Just cut him some slack.” I can’t relate to him when it comes to school and grades and stuff.
She frowns, completely defeated. “Can you at least talk to Trey and kinda maybe sorta check on him and see if something’s up?”
Mixed feelings surge through me. “You want me to spy on my best friend?”
“Kinda sorta.” She starts biting her nails. My instinct tells me to hold her close and comfort her so she’s not so agitated. But she’s not mine to comfort. “I don’t know what’s going on between us. I mean, lately I feel more connected to other people…” Her voice trails off.
Connected to me? I want to ask but don’t. I have no right to be in love with her, let alone try to lure her into my life.
“I can’t promise I’ll find out anythin’, but I’ll talk to him,” I tell her.
Man, I wish someone cared about me that much. While jealousy stirs inside me, I try to ignore it. The only problem is that every time I talk to her my feelings for her get stronger.
A big smile, one that could melt any frozen heart, crosses her heart-shaped face. “Thank you, Vic,” she says, crossing the room and kissing my cheek. “You’re the best.”
Right. I’ll keep that kiss in my memory bank for a long time.
When she straightens, she puts a hand on the small of her back and winces just the slightest bit.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Nothing.”
Yeah, right. I’ve watched her enough to know that sometimes she’s in pain. She tries to cover it up, but she can’t right now. “I don’t believe you. Tell me.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’ve got two sisters. I know when a girl says they’re fine, it’s bullshit. Talk to me.” I reach out and hold her wrist so she doesn’t walk away. “Talk to me.”
Monika doesn’t talk about herself much. It’s like she thrives on focusing on other people and not herself.
Our eyes meet and my heart kicks up a notch.
I can’t look away. It’s like she’s got a hold on me. I don’t know if she feels the connection, but I sure as hell do. And I can’t look away because I don’t want to break it.
Her intense gaze and those emerald eyes are mesmerizing. “I can’t,” she says softly.
“Tell me, Monika. Why do you wince in pain all the time?”
Pause.
She swallows and frowns, making her seem vulnerable and defeated.
I don’t let her go. I can feel it deep in my bones that something is wrong.
“I have arthritis, okay,” she finally says, her eyes still fixed on mine. “It’s kind of flaring up right now, and falling off the fence at the football field and going on the roller coaster hasn’t helped. I don’t want to talk about it. Just forget I said it.”
Arthritis?