You Before Anyone Else by Julie Cross and Mark Perini

take a phone call…” Dad and I both hang there, waiting for more, but Eddie forces a grin and points at the pool. “Wow, nice. How deep is it?”
    Dad and Eddie begin a lengthy discussion on the inground pool structure while I cook dinner. On the train here, I got super nervous thinking about everything Eddie doesn’t know regarding my family. I’m surprised he hasn’t asked me more, but maybe this is one of those “treat others as you want to be treated” situations. He’s not asking much, because he doesn’t want me to ask about his family. Or phone calls that leave him panicked.
    Later, after dinner, Eddie and I get roped into hanging decorations in the backyard for the party tomorrow. All Star Wars –themed, of course. Eddie seems oddly comfortable, and I’m back to wondering what he hasn’t had a chance to sign because he’s been so busy with “classes” and who this “her” is. Forget it, Finley. It’s none of your business. He’s just hanging out for the weekend. Nothing more.
    â€œWhere do you want the Jedi banner?”
    I shake my head and refocus before glancing around the patio, which is now lit by light-saber torches. “Um, I think maybe here”—I point to the edge of the patio roof that faces the pool—“but it might be too high to reach without getting out the ladder.”
    â€œWe can do it.” Before I realize what’s happening, Eddie hoists me up onto his shoulder and grabs a roll of tape along with the banner. His fingers spread deliberately across my stomach, and my heart picks up speed in response. But when my dad rolls into the family room, glancing outside, Eddie shifts his hand to a more polite location on my hip. “I’ve never had a birthday party with decorations like this.”
    â€œLike what?” I ask, reaching for the post to secure one corner of the banner. “ Star Wars –themed? Me either.”
    Eddie laughs and tightens his grip on me before walking across the patio to hang the other side. “I mean kid-themed. I can’t even remember a birthday party of mine with kids other than my older sister.”
    â€œNever?” I tape the other corner up, and then Eddie backs up so we can check out the Jedi sign that reads “Happy 6th Birthday, Braden and Connor.”
    â€œNope,” he confirms. “But I don’t remember all my parties, I guess.”
    I know very little, but I’m already disturbed by the coldness of his home. Then Summer’s accusations come back, and I work hard to lump Eddie into the wounded animal category. But when he sets me down on the ground again, the heat of his body hitting mine, all I can think about is him gripping me tight after I led him up to my bedroom the night of the party, his voice quiet and confident in my ear, telling me to relax, telling me I’m beautiful and perfect and yeah…
    I take a giant step back from him and say as firmly as possible. “We’re just—I mean, you’re here as my friend. Got it?”
    â€œGot it.” The amusement returns to his face. He leans in to add, “Naked friends.”
    I point a finger at him in warning. “Once. And only once.”
    â€œRight. Of course. Gotta be true to the one-night stand club.” Eddie lifts an eyebrow, his grin too big and confident.
    My dad chooses that moment to open the sliding glass doors and say, “So…I’m assuming you don’t need me to get sheets and blankets for the pullout couch?”
    I snap around to face Dad, my cheeks probably bright red. “Why not?”
    He shrugs. “Just figured Eddie might be staying in your room.”
    â€œDad!” Jesus Christ, why can’t he be a normal father and pull out a shotgun at the sight of a boy near me?
    He holds up his hands in surrender. “Sorry. Just trying to be cool, you know?”
    â€œWell, stop,” I snap.