I know her all too well.
So, yeah, Brayden didn’t show up for lunch. But it doesn’t really matter because it’s not like I care or anything. And I’m not in denial either, contrary to popular belief.
“Megan Taylor,” Coach Milton says my name, pointing a finger at me, “you and Holt Márquez will be partners for today’s class. Start with fifty push-ups.”
Fifty what now?
She continues to partner up the remaining students, and I walk over to where Holt is standing.
I throw a careless hand up. “Hey.”
But he’s too busy staring at Lora to acknowledge me.
“Hey,” I repeat myself, this time with more force. I even wave a hand in front of his face. “Márquez. I’m talking to you.”
“What?” he asks, finally focusing on me. “Oh, hey, Megan.”
“We’re supposed to be partners,” I tell him, just in case he didn’t hear Coach Milton, “and she wants us to start with fifty push-ups.”
Saying it out loud only makes is worse…
“Right, right,” he replies, his attention back on Lora. “Sure thing.”
“Dude,” I say, placing a hand on his shoulder,” I know you still have the hots for her and all…but you just look straight-up desperate when you watch her like that.”
“I can’t help it.” He shakes his head with an exasperated sigh. “She’s perfect, Megan.”
Clearly, he’s blinded by love. Because he knows just as well as I do that Lora has her faults.
Like how she procrastinates a lot. Or how she tends to chew loudly. Or how she—oh, I don’t know—gives mixed messages with her terrible advice!
“Let’s just do the push-ups,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “Do you want to go first?”
Um, I don’t want to go at all.
I motion to the large, blue-matted area. “You can go first.”
He casts another longing look in Lora’s direction, and then he joins some of the other students on the mats.
“Okay,” I drawl as he gets in position to do the push-ups, “start whenever you’re ready, and I’ll count.”
So, he begins to do the push-ups—and to my surprise, he’s able to them with ease. How many has he done already?
Ten?
Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen…
“Hey, Meg,” he says, continuing to do push-ups, “can I ask you something?”
Crap, is it sixteen now? Or eighteen?
“Yeah, sure,” I reply, struggling to keep track of the number, “what’s up?”
How is he able to do push-ups and talk at the same time? I can barely breathe and do them at the same time.
“Do you think I have a shot with Lora?” he asks, doing yet another push-up. Was that number twenty-two? Or twenty-five? “Even if it’s just a small shot. I mean, she asked me to be her tutor, so that has to count for something…right?”
Well, considering she only asked him because she wanted to prove a point to me—I’m gonna go with, no. Not really.
“Holt.” I sigh, trying to decide if he’s already made it to thirty or not. “You know I don’t like getting involved when it comes to you and Lora.”
As it is, I’ve bent my “stay-out-of-their-relationship-drama” rule a lot within these last few days…and I’m not looking to bend the rule completely.
“Yeah, but this could be my second chance!” he insists, continuing to do perfect push-ups. “That’s why I need your help, Meg. How do I get her back?”
Thirty-four, thirty-five, thirty-six…
“What makes you think I know?” I ask, pointing to myself. “My dating record hasn’t had anything serious, Holt. I don’t think I’m the best person to get relationship advice from.”
“Single people always give good relationship advice,” he states in a matter-of-fact way, “everyone knows that.”
I roll my eyes at him even though he can’t see me. “Fine, you want my advice?”
“Yes, Megan,” he retorts, shooting me an annoyed look, “that’s why I asked for your help.”
“Chill out, Márquez,” I tell him, crossing my arms, “or I’ll just keep all my single wisdom to myself.”
“Sorry,” he apologizes, not sounding very sorry at all, “so what’s your advice?”
“Stop trying so hard,” I reply with a shrug, “seriously…you’re coming off way too strong, man. Show her that you’re boyfriend material without totally driving her away. It’s not that complicated.”
“Maybe you’re right,” he muses, doing another two push-ups, “maybe I just need to let it happen naturally.” He glances up at me. “Hey, how many have I done?”
Crap.
——————
“It was just an observant comment!” Lora exclaims through the phone. “That’s it!”
“And I just think it’s interesting that you were watching us so closely,” I reply, not bothering to hide the humor in my voice. “Don’t worry, Lora…Holt’s not my type.”
“All I said was that you guys looked like you were talking a lot,” she huffs with a curse, “stop trying to turn this into something it’s not.”
“You’re just mad because I won’t tell you what he and I were talking about,” I retort, playing with the ends of my hair. “I’ll give you a hint though, if you want one.”
“Shut up. We both know what the two of you were talking about.”
I snort at that. “Someone’s sure of themselves.”
“Am I wrong?”
“No,” I say, sliding off my bed, “you’re not.”
“That’s what I thought. Okay, enough about my ex…let’s talk about yours.”
“Lora—”
“He counts.”
“We weren’t even together that long,” I hiss, beginning to pace my room.
“Yeah, but he’s the only official boyfriend you’ve had…so he’s the only guy that can technically qualify as your ex.”
Where does she get this stuff from?
“Either way,” I say, continuing to walk around, “we don’t need to talk about Brayden. Okay?”
“Hey, I’m getting tutored by Holt…aren’t I? It’s your turn to keep your end of the
