the guy who takes you on your first date.”
She crosses her arms, makin’ that cleavage pop. I’m goin’ to have to keep my eyes on her face in order to form coherent sentences. “Are you for real?”
“Uh, yeah.” Dude, I’m so bad at this. She’s going to say no.
Her eyes get watery for the shortest second in the world, but enough for me to worry over it, then… then she’s smiling. “So, like, what do I wear on a date?” She giggles and hops down the porch. “I’ve never been on one, remember?”
Just like that, we’re back to normalcy. Well, as normal as it ever is between us.
“Something comfortable.”
“PJ’s?” she jokes.
I laugh and open the door for her, and she plops in. “If you want.” Then the images of her in them make me lose concentration for a second.
“Be careful. I’d live in my pajamas if I could.”
As I shut the door and cross to my side, I see her feet slide up on the dash, and she taps her knees to a song I’m sure is just in her head. It’s like our thing now. Feels like we’ve been dating for a week already.
Why was I so nervous?
“I take it you’re saying yes then?” I ask as I start the engine. I know it’s stupid, but I want to hear her say it.
“Yeah… but…”
Oh, here it comes.
“It’s not like it’s a real date or anything. I’m agreeing ‘cause you’re that awesome of a friend, but we both know sooner or later, you’ll be going out with the girl. Not just one of your homies.”
Grr… this girl!
“It is a real date. I want to pick you up and—”
“Can we meet somewhere instead?”
Girl is way weird about her house. Dude, she’s weird in general and I’m about to throw in the towel, but I give her a once over, and I can’t. She’s worth all the trouble.
“I don’t want to ruin the surprise.” I wink and toss my arm around the back of her headrest. I’m layin’ it on thick, I know, but she’s gotta catch on to the flirting eventually.
“Oh gosh, now I’m nervous!” She laughs and pops open her drink.
“It’ll be fun, I promise.” I smirk at her before putting the car in drive. “And I’m pickin’ you up. No arguing with me.”
She rolls her eyes as she takes a sip of her Coke. “Okay, but like, text me when you’re on your way. Deal?”
I can live with that. “Deal.” I wrap my hand around hers, and she lets me.
Just like that, we’re holdin’ hands. And damn it if I ever let her go.
Reason 13: I’d beat the crap out of my own flesh and blood for you
“Hey ma!” My voice is muffled by all the clothes in my hamper, but Mom hears me.
“What is it?”
I look through the basket again before I yell back up the stairs. “You seen my blue shirt?”
“You have a lot of blue shirts, hun.”
Ugh. “You know the long sleeved one with the writing on the arm?”
She doesn’t yell back, but I hear her footsteps move to the laundry room and the dryer door swing open.
“It’s up here!”
“Will you toss it down?”
I wait to hear the soft thud on the floor outside my room before going out there. Yeah, Mom’s not catchin’ me half naked.
Normally I wouldn’t care about what kind of shirt I’m wearin’, but tonight… yeah, first date with the girl I like and her first date period. Better do my best to look like I care while lookin’ like I don’t care.
It’s harder than it sounds.
The doorbell rings just as I’m tuggin’ my belt on. If that girl came here instead of lettin’ me pick her up, I’m gonna—
“Quynn!”
Ah hell.
“Hi Terri.” Quynn’s voice hits me in the stomach. I’m goin’ to crap myself. What is she doin’ here?
“Come in, come in.”
Their footsteps go right to the living room and then the couch creaks as they sit. I take out my cell. Damn it, I’m already runnin’ late. Maybe I can crawl out my window.
“Is Brody here?”
In the words of Hayley… how freakin’ pooptastic! How did I space Quynn was planning on seein’ me tonight? Oh that’s right, I’ve been Hayley obsessed. And now I’m stuck. Gotta bail on Quynn… yeah, she said she was comin’ over to see Mom, and even though it sounds cocky as hell, I know she’s here to see me too.
Cell’s still in my hand, and I fumble around the keyboard as I try to type Hayles