Inconveniently Bayou

by Erin Nicholas

pumpkin spice lattes that were going to be his undoing.

how lovely

The girl who had moved in next door when they’d been ten. And had been the first person to tell him he was an asshole. And the first—and only—girl to punch him.

as she should

Something he and Becca had done since they’d been twelve had been give each other pure, honest, no bullshit opinions about things. Even if those opinions were unsolicited.

wait.. onto something

Or like when they were fifteen and overnight she’d started wearing the same baggy black hoodie Every. Single. Day. And her hair in a ponytail. And the stupid black converse tennis shoes she’d had since they were twelve. He’d gone over after two months of her dressing the same way and told her she needed to knock off whatever crazy, emo shit she had going on. He’d told her that wearing black made her look whiter than the inside of a potato—he

DEADASS? DEADASS HE DIDNT SAY THAT.

Or like when they were fifteen and overnight she’d started wearing the same baggy black hoodie Every. Single. Day. And her hair in a ponytail. And the stupid black converse tennis shoes she’d had since they were twelve. He’d gone over after two months of her dressing the same way and told her she needed to knock off whatever crazy, emo shit she had going on. He’d told her that wearing black made her look whiter than the inside of a potato—he

...

had always preferred books to people.

real

All he ever remembered seeing her do was read. Well, and study. Which also included books.

real

Beau draped an arm over the back of his chair, determined to look completely nonchalant about this.

thats already not nonchalant

“They’re all gonna notice you, honey.

he called her honey <3

Fine. He could tell her what to do with Luke. Nothing. A big fat nothing. Because he wanted her. He was going to be there on New Year’s Eve.