That's How it Happens

24. Kisses and Consequences

They hadn't dragged them far, but somehow, they ended up in the same patch of grass – close enough to feel the tension, far enough to pretend they weren't eavesdropping.

"Dude, you're yanking my arm out of its socket," Jackson muttered, wrenching free from Leo's grip. "I bruise like a peach."

Leo didn't respond. His eyes were locked on Ainsley, who was now gesturing wildly at April like she was reenacting a crime scene.

He felt his stomach twist.

"Can you go anywhere else?" he snapped across the yard.

Ainsley turned, arms crossed. "We were here first. You go find somewhere else to brood."

Leo threw his hands up, pacing like a man who'd just made a mistake and was waiting to see how loud the fallout would be. Jackson flinched, then chuckled when Leo didn't explode.

Leo eyed Jackson questioningly.

"Sorry, man," Jackson said, rubbing his arm. "I had to ride here with the diva. She likes to – "

Leo held up a hand. "Don't."

"I was just gonna say – "

"Mm-mm." Leo shook his head, eyes still darting toward Ainsley. "Whatever you're going to say about your dealings with... her. I don't want to hear them."

"Hit me. What did you think I was going to –" Jackson's face scrunched up. "Bro... that's gross. Nobody – I mean nobody wants to do anything with the Cootie Queen."

"Yeah, well, the forum says you're spending a lot of time together." Jackson's eyes bulged.

"Wha- whaaat." His voice went up two octaves. He cleared his throat. "Pssshhhh. Come on, man... You really believe that stuff?"

Leo stared at him as if he were staring at the source itself. Jackson shrugged, still playing like he had no clue what Leo was talking about. Then Leo rolled his eyes, shaking his head. He had better things to think about.

"She's pointing at you," Jackson said, squinting. "That's suspicious."

Leo groaned. He didn't know what she was asying, but he knew what she could be saying. And that was enough.

"I've never been so happy to see you," he muttered.

"Really?"

"No."

Jackson deflated. "You wound me."

"You wound me," Leo mimicked. "Now I've got to worry about the office and your mouth running wild."

Jackson smirked. "I would never."

Leo raised a brow.

"Okay, maybe I embellish. But I'm here for you, man." He slapped Leo's shoulder. "By the looks of it, you need a little love guru action."

"Stop calling yourself that. It's embarrassing."

Leo's eyes flicked back to Ainsley. She was still talking to April, hands slicing through the air like she was narrating a disaster. April laughed – loudly.

"What the hell are they talking about?"

Jackson followed his gaze and then glanced back at Leo. He looked as if he were three seconds away from doing something stupid... and entertaining.

Meanwhile, across the grass...

"Are you going to tell me what happened? What did he do now to get you so worked up?" April asked, over the dramatics. Honestly, she had never seen Ainsley react this way, so it must be really juicy.