Page 7 of Clean Out of Luck

The sparkling water goes down the wrong tube, and I have to cough a few times before I can answer him.

“Of course. Let me get right on that. I’ll marry your sister real quick, just to help you sleep at night,” I reply dryly. Of course, Phoenix would crack a joke like this. As if we don’t have anything better to do. Just joke about me dating his wildly attractive sister. Sure, why not? Like it’s not something that’s crossed my mind in the last couple months.

But he doesn’t let up. “No, I’m serious, Wade. You guys would be great for each other. She’d be the calm one in your relationship, and you would keep things fun for her. And I know you would never do anything to hurt her.”

Well this sucks. My entire reason for trying to not think about Scarlett…is because it felt like a betrayal of my friendship with Phoenix. But if he thinks a Scarlett-Wade relationship is a good idea, then what’s my reason for staying away?

What would our relationship name be?Warlett? Scade?

“Wade—why are you so quiet?” Phoenix asks.

I should crack a joke or distract him, but instead I say exactly what I’m thinking. “I don’t know if you’re joking around or if you’re dead serious when you talk about this—about me dating Scarlett.”

Phoenix clears his throat loudly, then finally says, “I’mserious. Man, I would love it if you fell in love with my sister. Not to be a matchmaker, but I honestly think you two could have fun together.”

I sit down in a chair at my dining room table as I take in his words. “IthinkI appreciate that sentiment. I’m not gonna lie—I think your sister’s gorgeous. And you know I like her as a person. But I wouldn’t want to mess anything up between us.”

“Between you and me?”

“Nah, I’d tell you to get over it. I mean with Scarlett.”

Phoenix takes a loud sip from his coffee, and I drink from my can of water.

“Ask her out. I know she wants to be with someone. She’s just too nice, and jerks take advantage of her. Ask her out before she ends up with an Aaron.”

Aaron. The senior she broke up with when she was a junior. The same guy that got so mad he purposefully T-boned her in an intersection and sent her to the hospital. He redefined the meaning ‘a real piece of work.’

“I’m not sure yet, though.”

“I know. Besides, it’d just be easier if I were your kids’ uncle. You wouldn’t have to worry about naming me as the godfather,” he says with a laugh.

I don’t know what to say, especially now that I know he’s serious about this. He actually would be happy to see Scarlett and me together.

“Okay, well, I’m not going to date your sister.” Because what if I ruin everything and she never speaks to me again? I think that might be worse.

“Yet,” Phoenix pipes up. “I think it’s only a matter of time. You two are inevitable. Besides, you’re going to be spending a lot of time together.”

“Are youreallyworried about your sister, or are you trying to play matchmaker here?” I ask.

“Seriously, I need proof of life. But while you’re getting that, just ask her out.” He hangs up the phone before I can refute anything he’s said.

Date his sister.I guess his joke really did start with a grain of truth.

And now, I really should stay away from Scarlett. If Phoenix approves, it’s probably a bad idea. Because while Phoenix thinks his sister has bad taste, it seems to be a family trait. Phoenix has had a long list of odd and uncomfortable dates—like the time he accidentally dated his second cousin.

I finish the rest of the sparkling water and toss the can in my recycling box.

My phone chimes and it’s Phoenix. Good grief, this is starting to become a habit. We’re not the kind of friends that communicate all the time.

PHOENIX

Let me know when you hear from her.

I’d really like to ignore him, but I know Phoenix won’t rest until he’s got proof. So I send off a text to Scarlett.Phoenix probably said something stupid and made her mad and that’s why she’s ignoring his texts.

WADE

Hey, did I leave my hat at your house when I was there the other day? I can’t find it anywhere.

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