think about it, but ultimately I decide if I’m going to do this I’m playing it my way. And my way is how I used to do things when I belonged to the blind date site.
Yep, I’m going in blind.
I only need to know the guy’s name.
That’s enough.
I don’t care, anyway.
I’m not expecting a love match or anything with this Lars dude.
I’m just going out to get Jodi off of my back. Lars, schmars.
I can’t tell my best friend, but, despite all my bluster to the contrary, the only man I’ll be thinking about for the foreseeable future is the hot guy at the theatre… and how I totally screwed up a chance to have possibly the best night of my life.
I Kind of Like Crazy
A few days after the theatre incident, I meet up with Caleb at the team gym to work out.
We have the place to ourselves since it’s the off-season.
That means we have the freedom to talk openly.
Good thing too, as I’m practically bursting at the seams to get off my chest what happened with the crazy chick at the movie theatre.
I tell Caleb about that night right away, leaving out not a single detail.
Once I’m done, he says, “Wow. That is one crazy story.”
“Tell me about it,” I chuff.
Wiping sweat from his brow, having just finished a series of hard reps, he asks, “Did you at least get her number?”
“Uh, no.” I shake my head. “I actually didn’t even catch her name.”
“Man, that sucks,” Caleb replies.
“Right?” I pick up a barbell and start a set of reps, focusing on my biceps. “I should’ve followed her out when she left. I could’ve gotten her name and number, maybe even asked her out on a date. It’s not like I was watching the movie by that point.”
I stop lifting long enough to shoot a meaningful glance over at Caleb.
He laughs. “Sounds like you’re still interested in her.”
I think it over and conclude, “Yeah, I am. I mean, hell, she’s pretty and she definitely intrigued me. I’d see her again in a heartbeat.”
Caleb scoffs. “Yeah, but I thought you said she was a little crazy?”
“She was.” I nod. “But I think I kind of like crazy.”
Caleb shakes his head. “Man, you must.”
Smartass.
I’m quick to remind him, “Hey, you and Jodi have had your moments.”
“That’s true.” Sitting down on the end of a weight bench, he says, “Speaking of Jodi, she brought up that fixing-you-up-with-someone idea again. Are you open to it? It could be good for you to meet a new woman. Maybe even get your mind off the crazy theatre chick.”
I shrug. “Yeah, sure, I’m up for it. I’m assuming you’re talking about that double date plan with her friend Becca, the one that never happened?”
“That would be the one. So what do you think?”
I scrub my hand down my face. “Ah, hell, I don’t know. What does this Becca even look like? No one’s ever shown me a picture.”
“That’s because there’s no need,” Caleb says, smirking. “She’s pretty, man, trust me. But here, if you insist…” He reaches for his phone that is on an unused weight bench. “I can show you a photo of her. I think I have one where she’s with Jodi.”
My instincts tell me to take a look.
But then I change my mind.
I don’t want to break it to Caleb, but it doesn’t matter what this Becca looks like. I don’t expect this double date to amount to anything. I’m just going out on it to put an end to this “setting me up with Jodi’s friend” nonsense once and for all.
Waving my hand at the proffered phone, I say, “Nah, Caleb, I’m good. I don’t need to see a photo. I think I’d rather it be a surprise, anyway. I trust you.”
“You should,” Caleb says as he sets his phone back down on the weight bench. “You’ll be more than pleased with the way Becca looks. Plus, the girl is cool as shit. She’s laid-back and always up for fun. Kind of like you. I’m telling you, Lars, you’re going to like her.”
Despite all his hopeful bluster, I’m doubtful.
Blind double dates are usually a recipe for disaster, right?
Even though that’s my belief and no one’s ever going to change my mind, I tell Caleb, “Yeah, I’m sure you’re right. I’ll probably think she’s okay.”
“She’s more than ‘okay,’” he insists.
“Dude, really, whatever.”
Caleb quits singing this Becca girl’s praises, but does go on to inform me he and Jodi will figure out the double