She winked. “You love me.”
She dragged me to the front of the house, where Theo pulled up in a sleek, black 1967 Chevy Impala. Kara sat in the passenger seat, while I climbed in beside the blue-haired girl in the back.
“I don’t know why I have to sit here, Theo.” She pouted, her voice dripping with annoyance. “I always ride beside you.”
“Be nice, Beth.” Theo glanced at Kara and back at me apologetically. “I’m sorry. She forgot to take her polite pills today. She’s Beth, by the way. Beth, this is Kara and Ver.”
“Hi, Beth.” I smiled at her. She smiled back.
Kara turned in her seat. “You can call me Kar.”
Beth rolled her eyes at Kara. Suddenly, the tune of “Baby Got Back” filled the car. It was Beth’s phone ringing. She frowned at it before she answered. “Hello! The number you dialed is busy finding fucks to give. Please try again later.”
I laughed. I liked this girl.
Chapter Sixteen
Veronica
“So, Kara,” Theo started, “what’s your story?”
Beth rolled her eyes again and let out an exasperated sigh. “He’s always like this. Watch out. Theo could fish out a priest’s secrets. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself telling Theo all your dirtiest deeds.” She smirked.
“Is that true?” Kara asked, her voice flirty.
I was glad that Kara was having fun, or else she was trying hard not to be sad. Beside me, Beth squirmed in her seat. She seemed itchy, like she wanted to pounce between Theo and Kara to separate them. I bit back a laugh. The girl was nuts about Theo. That, or she was overly protective of him.
Were they siblings? It didn’t seem like it when I computed the way she looked at him. She looked at him like…Caleb looked at me.
I sighed. Caleb thoughts weren’t allowed tonight. I tuned out for a moment until I heard Beth’s annoyed voice cut in.
“So you’re using Theo as a rebound because you broke up with your ex?” Beth demanded all of a sudden. Her hand went to Theo’s shoulder protectively.
“Beth,” Theo warned.
Kara chuckled. “Relax. Theo is a nice guy, and I only fall for the bad guys. He’s all yours, girl.”
Theo groaned at the same time Beth said, “Good.” Then she added, “I’m not always a bitch. I sleep sometimes too, you know. Like a normal human being.”
The tension disappeared. Kara and I laughed, and Theo snorted.
“Theo’s a softie. People take advantage of him all the time because he’s such a nice guy. He needs me to protect him.”
“I’d like to think I’m the one protecting you, since I’m older.” He flashed her a grin.
“Look,” Beth said, flicking Theo’s ear. “Tell me I’m right or tell me you’re wrong, Theo. Take your pick.”
Kara and I kept quiet, enjoying their banter for a while. They were like an old married couple.
Theo parked in front of the liquor store and asked us to stay in the car and wait for him.
“See how he can make you do things for him?” Beth ranted. “I mean, what kind of girl in this day and age would just accept a guy ordering her around like that? It’s a talent, I’m telling you! He’s so irritating.” Her face mirrored her displeasure, but her eyes told a different story as they followed Theo’s form until he disappeared inside the store.
Kara and I shared a knowing look. Beth scooted between the front seats so she could switch the radio station. She settled on indie rock before sitting back in her seat.
“I think it’s because he’s a very nice guy,” I offered. “He doesn’t tell you what to do; he asks in his own sweet way. I like your Theo.”
Beth shifted in her seat, smiling. She seemed satisfied when I said your Theo.