Page 24 of The Prospect

But for whatever reason, I can’t help but feel hesitant—reluctant. Why am I feeling like this? All I need to do is ask Hart if he’s interested in Hazel. Badabing, badaboom, the conversation is over, done.

Yet, even despite all of my internal convincing, I can’t seem to bring myself to the reality of just offering Hazel up like this. I don’t know. It feels wrong, especially given that I know the second I give Hart any inkling of Hazel’s intentions for him, he’s going to be all over it.

I just know it.

“Are you just going to stand there in silence or are you actually going to tell me?” Hart’s sharp voice cuts through my mind, reminding me of the simple fact I need to hold onto: if this is what Hazel wants—then this is what Hazel gets.

“What do you think about Hazel?” I ask abruptly, my voice fading out at the end as I say her name, but he hears it. He hears it loud and clear.

“Hazel?” My stomach drops as he repeats her name back to me with bright eyes. “Why? Did she ask about me?” he says with a stupidly confident and cheesy grin along his face.

“Stop smirking like that,” I scold him, already abundantly fed up with his child-like behavior. Fuck, what does Hazel see in him?

“What do you mean?” Hart protests. “You’ve just run over here, clearly trying to get my take on your best mate because obviously she asked. Am I right, or am I right, Green?”

I roll my eyes, biting my tongue as I speak. “For once, can you at least try not to be such an arrogant prick?” I grow defensive. “You know what I’m trying to say here. Are you interested in her or not?”

Hart leans up against his car. “I mean, it’s a stupid question. Hazel’s nice, funny, a sports fan, and let’s not forget, incredibly fucking hot?—”

“That’s enough!” I stop him before I have to hear any other suggestive adjective he wants to use to describe her.

“What do you mean, ‘enough’?” Hart refuses to back down. “It’s true. Hazel’s an absolute smoke show, Green. Christ, I'm shocked that you haven’t tapped it by now?—”

“I said,enough,Hart!” I grind my teeth this time, trying everything in my power not to completely disband this whole idea and say good riddance.

I knew this was going to happen, that Hart was going to manage to get under my skin. Forget it, he’s off the table, I’m going to convince Hazel to pick someone else, and if she doesn't, then sod this whole idea. I’m done.

“Oh relax, Green.” Hart playfully pushes against my chest. “Stop getting your knickers in a twist. I’m just messing around, alright?”

“Well don’t,” I throw back at him, quick to rush to Hazel’s defense. “Hazel’s my best friend, and you’re Goddamn lucky she’s even shown any interest in you! So, stop being a dick and just answer the question normally. Are you interested in her or not?”

“Jesus, Green.” Hart reaches for the handle of his car and swings it open. “You know what, based on how you’re acting. No. I’m not interested. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have somewhere to be.”

I debate letting him go, it’s an enticing thought, but as he goes to step into his car, I can’t help but stop him.

“Hart, wait. I—I’m sorry.” My apology is enough to bring him to a stop and look back at me. “It’s just…Hazel, she means a lot to me okay? And I only want what’s best for her, that’s all.”

“Which apparently isn’t me,” Hart counters with. An unamused, almost offended scowl on his face. “Isn’t that right, Green?”

“You weren’t my first choice,” I admit as he rolls his eyes. “But Hazel likes you, and I promised her I'd speak to you about it. Now that I have, I’ll let you go. Enjoy your night, Hart.”

I turn on my heel, heading back toward the stadium, only as I do, I don’t hear Hart come after me, instead, all I can hear is him igniting the ignition to his car and pulling away.

Jerk.

I’m about to step back through the front gate and break the news to Hazel when I hear a horn go off, followed by a loud voice that calls out, “Oi, Green!”

I look back over my shoulder, watching as Hart leans his head out of the window and flashes me a look. “Tell Hazel I’m interested, okay, mate? I am.”

I assess the sincerity on his face, the sincerity of his words. “You mean it?” I ask, hoping he’ll say no. “You know this isn’t some type of joke, right?”

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not kidding then,” Hart responds. “I mean it, Green. Hazel’s your friend and whether you want to admit it or not, you’re my friend too. I won’t hurt her, you have to trust me.”

Trust.

I release a long, drawn-out breath at the thought until eventually, I cave. Faintly, I nod my head in Hart’s direction, a gesture he’s receptive to as he nods back, rolls up his window and pulls out of the lot, honking twice as he merges onto the street.

“Fuck.” I don’t even want to think about what just happened, nor the agreement we’ve come to.

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