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“Calm down,” Lizzie grumbled. “You’re not going.”

“I’m a vicarious spirit,” Claire replied. “I live for this stuff.”

39

Date Night

Johnny

After scrubbing myself half-raw in what had to be the fastest shower known to mankind, I tore my wardrobe apart trying to find something other than a jersey and hoodie to wear. Jesus Christ, my heart hadn’t stopped racing since I received that text from Shannon earlier this evening.

S: You can pick me up instead. I’m at Claire’s house. I’ll be waiting for you. Xx

I had no fucking idea what was happening here, and I cared even less, because the concept of spending time with my girlfriend outside of school had my head in a spin. All week, I had to make do with seeing her in the halls and a few scant minutes at lunch, but now? Now I got to have her to myself for a night. Thanking Jesus that today was the day my mother had decided to relinquish the keys of my car back to me, I whizzed around my bedroom with a toothbrush hanging out of my mouth and paste dripping down my chin, trying to find something respectable to wear.

Is this a date? Does she want me to take her out?

Should I?

What the fuck am I going to do?

What about a condom?

Should I?

No! Stop it!

Don’t even tempt yourself.

Fuck…

“You look very handsome,” Mam announced when I walked into the kitchen five minutes later to grab my keys and wallet.

“Indeed.” Gibsie, who was perched on a stool at the island, snickered loudly. “Very handsome, Jonathan.”

I shot him a look that saidDon’t you fucking dare open your mouth, regretting not dropping him straight home after the gym. I should have, but I’d been so thrown off-kilter that I brought the big eejit home with me. I also told him about my plans, which was a rookie mistake, one I only made because, again, I had been thrown by that text. To be fair, I felt like I owed him an explanation for almost decapitating him at the gym earlier when I stopped spotting him to text Shannon back.

Gibsie smirked and gestured that his lips were sealed.

That would be a first.

“I look the same as always, Ma,” I grumbled, knowing I needed to get in and out of this room before the woman gave me the mothering version of the Spanish Inquisition. “I’ll be home late tonight,” I added in as breezy a tone as I could muster, slipping my wallet and keys into my back pocket. “So don’t be panicking, okay?”Or blowing up my bleeding phone.

“Is that a new shirt?” Mam, ignoring my statement, asked as her gaze traveled over my body.

Ugh.

Too fucking late…

“No.” Self-conscious, I pulled at the black fabric currently welded to my chest and shrugged. “It was in my wardrobe.”

Mam smirked. “And new aftershave?”

“It’s the bottle I got at Christmas.” I shifted uncomfortably. “Why?”

“Oh, no reason, love,” she replied with a knowing smirk. “Did you get your hair cut today?”

“Yes,” I bit out impatiently, feeling on full display. “I stopped off at the barber’s after the gym and got a haircut.”

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