Page 25 of Tongue-Tied

“See? It was supposed to be a reference to soccer, not baseball. You know—goalkeeper?”

“Oooh, right.” I snicker. “We can work on your delivery.”

“I don’t see how it could possibly work.” He chews on his bottom lip. “Like I said, I’m already comfortable with you.”

I look off into the distance, racking my brain about how this should go down. Maybe he’s right and it’s a dumb idea.

“Okay, new plan.” I keep my lips in a neat, straight line. “Do you like raisins?”

His brow furrows. “No, why?”

“How about a date? Get it? Raisins and dates.”

When he scrunches his nose, I say, “Okay, bad pickup line. Let me try again. Do you know Jason from the LGBTQ+ club?” He shakes his head, and I realize I have way more exposure to the happenings around campus. This is due in part to participating in student government as well as being more social in general, sometimes even dropping into the LGBTQ+ association lounge area, where the club was formed. “Anyway, he said there’s a bonfire on the beach Friday night, and I’d like you to be my date. I’ll pick you up at seven sharp.”

“Like a pretend date? To help me…what? Practice?” He sputters at the suggestion. “What if we laugh at the ridiculousness of it the entire time?”

“Then at least we’ll have fun.” I shrug. “It won’t hurt to give it a try.”

“Wouldn’t you rather it be somewhere people don’t know us?”

Actually, I think it’ll be more comfortable for Austin to attend something being run by the campus alliance.

“Nobody has to know what we’re up to.” We’re together so much that it’s doubtful anyone would bat an eye. Still, Austin just stands there, blinking at me. “Why do you still look unconvinced?”

“I wouldn’t want to cramp your style, especially at a party.” He winces. “You might give up the chance of a good hookup for me.”

“You’re more important than a hookup.”

His cheeks stripe pink. “Aw, see? You can say schmoopy things.”

I feel a strange twinge in my gut. “Only with you.”

He averts his gaze. “Well, I’m not sure I’d return the favor. If a guy even gave me the time of day, I’d drop you like a hot potato.”

I laugh. “Now we’re talking. More of that confidence. And wear those nice new clothes.”

His lip quirks. “You’re just trying to get on my mom’s good side.”

“Always.” I wink. “And your parents love me for it.”

His mom and stepdad are awesome and have always been supportive of our friendship. Our moms even chatted a handful of times at school events. I always wished my mother could find a good guy like Mrs. Reid has instead of always choosing awful men.

“Don’t I know it,” Austin mutters. “You’ve charmed the pants off them. Okay, ew, that didn’t sound right.”

I chuckle as I reach out my hand. “Do we have a deal, Austin Reid?”

He only hesitates briefly before he takes my hand. “Deal, Daniel Exon.”

I hum happily to myself all the way back to Poli House. Why do I feel super excited about this? Maybe because I’ve tried to convince Austin for so long that he deserves guys fawning over him, and now I sort of get to show him what it might feel like in my own way.

10

AUSTIN

When my cell pings with a text from Dex the next night, I’m confused.

Are you named after anyone in your family? he asks.

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