Chapter 2
That Friday, Keaton texted: [Makenna's back. Get together tonight. Be early.]
When I reached the private room, I overheard them talking about me.
"Keaton, you're really done with Adeline?" one of his friends asked.
"Yeah. Just don't bring it up in front of Makenna," Keaton replied casually.
"Man, you've always been hung up on Makenna since high school. Adeline was just a placeholder until she came back," another friend added.
"Honestly, Adeline's not bad. She has great looks and is totally devoted. She does whatever you say. You're really letting her go?" the previous guy asked again.
Keaton chuckled, "What can I say? Makenna's the only one for me. Adeline was sweet, but she was just someone to pass the time with.
"Now that Makenna's back, I'm clearing the deck. Just waiting for her to say yes."
His friends teased him for being so whipped.
"Adeline, why are you standing at the door?" Makenna's voice came from behind me.
Everyone inside turned. A few cleared their throats awkwardly, embarrassed at being caught.
Keaton froze for a second, but when he saw I wasn't reacting and Makenna walked over to him, he quickly regained his cool.
He nudged his friend to make space for her.
I slipped quietly into a seat in the corner.
"Adeline, why are you all the way over there? Come join us," Makenna said, waving me over.
I gave a small smile and shook my head. "I'm okay here, thanks."
The awkward moment passed, and soon the group was back to playing drinking games.
Makenna kept losing. She was new to the rules, and Keaton kept drinking for her.
Someone laughed and said, "Last time you got wasted, you started a whole scene. Good thing Adeline was there to..."
He cut himself off. The room went quiet for a second before everyone quickly moved on.
Later, on my way back from the restroom, I heard voices near the emergency exit.
"Ugh, it bothers me how everyone talks about you and Adeline being so close," Makenna complained.
"Adeline's been around for years. It's natural we're close," Keaton said, sounding a bit helpless. "Besides, if you'd just say yes to me, none of that would matter. Didn't you see how everyone's been hyping us up all night?
"Hmph! I'll see if you're worth it," she teased back.
I slipped past quietly.
During a lull, Keaton caught me in the hallway. "So, how's the boyfriend search going?" he asked, sounding impatient.
He clearly thought I wasn't really trying, and it was starting to affect things with Makenna. His expression tightened.
"I am trying. I'll make sure you don't have to see me around much longer," I said quietly.
He looked at me, and for a second, I thought I saw something like guilt in his eyes.
"Just... make sure you find someone who's actually good for you," he said, clearing his throat.
"Yeah," I replied.
Over the weekend, I had dinner with Jonathan Tanner.
We met through work. He was a marketing director at another company. He was tall, good-looking, and lately, he'd made it pretty clear he was interested in me.
I wasn't really interested at first, but... I should at least try.
I forced myself to chat and get to know him, trying to take it seriously.
After a few dates, we started getting more comfortable.
Makenna caught me in the break room one day, looking surprised.
"You're seeing someone? I always thought you were so into Keaton that you'd never look at anyone else." Her words stung, sharp and a little cruel.
I forced a smile. "The past is the past. People move on."
"Well, my birthday's this weekend. You should bring him! Keaton will probably be glad you finally have a boyfriend," she said brightly.
I nodded. "Sure."