the wolf whistle.
Violet Queen: Oh, you’re the creator?
Cap’N Crunch: I can neither confirm nor deny…
Jeans, T-shirts, jocks and socks pile up inside the case. A couple pairs of shoes. A belt. A week’s worth of shirts with the Line ‘Em Up logo on them.
Violet Queen: I’ll take that as a yes. It’s okay. I get it. Honestly, I wasn’t planning on meeting anyone off the app. I kind of got roped into reviewing it. And then I started talking to you…
I still need to shower. I head to my office first. Grab the box of Crunch Berries on my way. Boot up my computer. Watch the screens flicker to life as I munch on a mouthful of cereal. I have all her info at my fingertips. I could look her up. Find out if she entered her real name. I won’t because that’s some A level stalking, but I’m curious about her.
Cap’N Crunch: What happened? Does this have something to do with someone unattainable? Is that why you said I was one of ‘us’?
She takes her time typing. The dots bounce along the screen. I pack up my tablet and my laptop. Sit down at my computer and dig into the feedback I’ve received so far about glitches on Icebreaker. Finally my phone whistles.
Violet Queen: I’m not sure I’m ready to share that story. It’s too embarrassing.
Cap’N Crunch: That good, huh? Now, you have to tell me. Who is he? And does he know what he’s missing out on?
Violet Queen: A family friend. I put myself out there. Sort of. And that was all it took for him to make it clear that he will never see me like that.
Cap’N Crunch: Ouch.
Violet Queen: Rejection is all lemons. No tequila. But don’t worry, I have my own supply of Patron and I know how to make margaritas.
Christ, it’s like she’s the flipside of my coin. Is this how Lily felt when I told her that she should want someone who could want her? I saw how much it hurt her when I said it, and I’ve been feeling like an ass ever since. Now, even more so.
Cap’N Crunch: That sucks. I’m sorry.
Violet Queen: No need. It’s not like you were there.
No, I wasn’t. But I might as well have been. The scenario is the same.
Cap’N Crunch: Well, I think you’re fantastic. And if it helps, I’m willing to meet up. Somewhere that idiot will see us. So we can make him so jealous he cracks.
Violet Queen: Do you think that’s a possibility? That he would get jealous?
If it was me. If I were him. If she was Lily. Hell yes, I’d be on edge the minute I caught another guy flirting with Lily, laughing at her sarcastic retorts, and claiming her smiles. The idea of someone getting close enough to taste her skin or inhale her sweetness makes me tense inside. This possessiveness. It isn’t me. It’s irrational and unnerving. It used to be easier to ignore.
I focus on my new friend. I can deal with her problem. Help her.
Cap’N Crunch: He’d probably end up punching me in the face. That’s how much it would frustrate him to see you with someone else.
Violet Queen: I think you’re making assumptions.
Cap’N Crunch: Am I? Because he’d have to be an idiot not to be able to see how great you are.
Violet Queen: That’s really nice of you to say. But I think I would be able to tell if he liked me.
Cap’N Crunch: Are you sure about that? Because guys are weird about hiding their true feelings.
They don’t showcase their weaknesses. And they don’t wear their hearts on their sleeve. Well, unless they’re Hud, and even then it’s like he’s holding an Uno Reverse Card each time he mentions his feelings so you can never be sure whether he’s joking or serious or you’re literally assigning your own opinion to what he’s saying. But a lot of us… well, me… I’m not like that.
Even if Hud wasn’t in the picture I couldn’t tell Lily I like her, because I don’t want to like anyone.
The fact that I’m not invincible to her has burrowed under my skin like a tick, though. She makes me wish I was someone who could be the guy she deserves.
Violet Queen: Thanks for the heads up, but I have a sibling and his four pain in the ass friends who also like to believe they’re my self-styled older brothers. I know having a penis makes you weird.
Cap’N Crunch: Fine.