18. Party of Two
EIGHTEEN
Party of Two
SHANNON
“It’s warmer inside.”
The young man settled next to Shannon on the concrete steps and nodded at the front door.
“I’m good,” she said. “The girls I came with are taking care of something.”
“Nicksy’s girl, right? Paige? I just saw her.”
She peered at him curiously, trying to make a connection. His dark amber skin and short black twists were familiar. “Yeah, I came with Paige,” she said. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“Rashid Jaggers. Jags.” His voice struck a chord. “I know your boy in there.”
She blew out a short, harsh breath. Another of her ex-boyfriend’s boys. Paige’s sources told her Hayden was already on his way to Mexico and they shouldn’t have to worry about seeing him at Evan’s house. Her sources were wrong, and Shannon nearly dove into a bush to avoid running face-first into him a block from the house. Paige greeted him like an old friend, shoving a party girl off his arm so Nina could take her place and steer him away. We’ll take care of this . Wait here, Nina mouthed as Shannon picked bits of yew and boxwood out of her hair.
“I didn’t expect to see him tonight,” Shannon said, and it was mostly true. She forgot when Nina was making plans that Paige’s boyfriend lived in the house where she first met Caleb. Evan had been Paige’s best friend since childhood and had been kind enough to pick up vegetarian burgers at her request, so she had to make an appearance. At least Caleb didn’t live there—and he never went out, he told her once, so of course he wouldn’t be there tonight. Hayden was the immediate concern.
She didn’t look up when Jags nudged her shoulder with his. “Okay. I’m leaving.”
“Don’t. I know he wants to talk to you.”
“Unlikely.” Shannon missed Elouise’s calming voice as she fumed and had half a mind to ask her to come pick her up even though she was loaded up with cold medicine and trying to sleep.
“I know you guys have had some miscommunications lately,” he said.
“Is that what we’re calling it?” She laughed. “I’m pretty sure he never wants to see or speak to me again, and I don’t blame him.”
“That’s a little harsh on you,” he said.
Shannon faced him. “Listen, I didn’t come here to start trouble with him. I didn’t know he’d be here, and I’ll be gone as soon as my friend gets back.”
She tapped out a text to Nina.
Shannon
One of his guys is here trying to get me to come in and talk. Can you ditch H?
Jags shrugged. “I was hoping you’d talk to the boy so he quits complaining to me about how he’s doomed to die alone every time you dip out. You know he’s not much of a talker, and he’s been talking my ear off these days.”
“Not much of a talker?” Shannon’s eyes went wide with astonishment.
“I mean, I know he talks to you. When you guys are talking, anyway.” He squirmed and yanked at his hair. “I’m putting myself in the middle of it, and I’m sorry. Just trying to look out for a buddy. Come inside and hang with Paige and your girls. No one’s going to cause trouble. My roommate’s got burgers going. He’s got some of those vegetarian ones you might like.”
“How did you know I’m a vegetarian?”
“I told you, he talks my ear off lately.”
“I’m surprised he remembers,” Shannon said. “He used to forget all the time.”
She tried Paige.
Shannon
Nina’s not answering me. Grab her and come back out here.
Paige
Still with H, don’t know why. I’ll tell Evan and we’ll go. Give me 5.
Shannon jolted when she realized Jags was still talking .
“He’s had a hard time lately, so I… again, in the middle of it. Sorry.” He rose to leave.
Shannon yanked at his shirt. “He’s lucky to have a friend who cares enough to stick his nose in a mess like this for him,” she said. “That’s real loyalty. I hope he appreciates it.”
“There’s nothing I’ve done for him that he wouldn’t do right back for me,” Jags said. He sat at her side and leaned back on his elbows on the concrete step. “Solid, solid guy. Please and thank you like it really matters, you know? I’d ask him to date my sister if I had one.”
“Are you joking?”
“Who jokes about having a sister?”
Her mouth hung slack for a moment. When he winked, she burst into full-throated laughter. “I don’t mind talking to you,” she wheezed. “I’d still rather not talk to him. Tell him you made a valiant effort, because I’ve sure never heard anyone speak so kindly of him before. Not even his parents.”
“His parents?” Jags sat up straight. “When did you meet them?”
“Right before winter break. Literally a week before we broke up, and whew, they were a trip. The apple is still sitting at the base of that freaking tree.”
He pressed his fingers to his temples. “You’re talking about Hayden.”
“Yeah. I know he’s here. The girls had to steer him away, so he didn’t… you’re not talking about Hayden.”
Paige
Get in here NOW .
“God, no. I wouldn’t speak for that twerp if he paid me,” Jags said. “I meant Caleb Fields.”
She grabbed his arm.