Page 32 of Pick Me

“Um, Thea?” He sounded choked, and I pushed my chair back.

“Jackson, are you okay? You look a little pale.” I might not like the guy, but that didn’t mean I wanted to see him dead on the floor. Although, if the thought of me going on a date caused it, then maybe he deserved it.

He let out a long breath before shaking his head again and chuckling awkwardly and loudly.

“What is going on with you?”

“With me?” His voice cracked and was noticeably higher than usual.

“Yes. You.”

“Nothing. I’m absolutely fine.” He brushed past me, leaving his almost full glass of milk and rushing back to his room. “I’m just late for a gym session with Matty.”

Well, okay, then.

That was weird.

“I think I’m in love with you,”the lady with the highly inappropriate shirt for such blistery conditions said. Her incredibly toned and equally gorgeous costar sighed and squinted as he leaned in. He was about to kiss her, and my toes curled in excitement, but then he turned away, looking to the sky with a sigh.

“I’m not sure I can love anyone as much as I love chasing tornadoes.”

I frowned, huffing as I knocked the extra-large popcorn next to me and nearly toppling it to the floor. Thankfully, the guy on the other side caught it.

It was dark in here, but I was able make out his classically handsome features with the light from the screen, so I let out a giggle. “I’m sorry about that,” I whispered as seductively as I could.

“You’ve got the potential to make more mess than that tornado.”

Whoa. Was that a line?

I opened my mouth, ready to say something but fell short. I didn’t know what to do when someone openly talked like that. It was only when I saw the feminine hand slink across his knee that I realized he was just being polite.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, grabbing the popcorn and putting it on my lap. Had I put it on the seat next to me to pretend it was reserved for my date. Maybe. We were nearly at the end of the movie now, so everyone knew I was being an ass and saving the seat in a full movie theater for no one else.

The pretty actress cried as the hero got in his truck, leaving her behind and following his dreams of chasing that tornado. I shoveled some popcorn into my mouth until my cheeks were filled, and watched the end credits. The hero was smiling, his face full of awe, and I couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. I only wished someone would look at me like that. Who was I kidding? I’d just be happy for someone to look at me as my own person instead of as Tanner’s twin.

Thank goodness Jackson couldn’t see me right now.

Sitting here in the movie theater on my own after I waltzed around the apartment pretending I was going on a date was peak desperation, and the longer I sat waiting for the theater to clear so I could leave, the more annoyed at myself I got.

Maybe I should have gone upstairs and asked Henry out. From the sounds of it, he’d be desperate enough to say yes. Then at least I wouldn’t have been lying to myself over this date. It would have made Jackson’s perplexed face worth it too.

I laughed to myself, remembering how pissed he was that I was going on a date, proving his whole unlovable thing wrong, then I remembered it would soon be just him and me left at Covey U.

Tanner would be gone, and although Aster would be finishing her master’s, she’d be gone most weekends to see my brother. Even Britt and Matty would have graduated. They might have a beautiful beach house, but Britt didn’t know which team she was interning with Chally Sports, so they could be based anywhere across the country.

Which meant it would only be Jackson and me.

Was this really my life?

Living together. Hating each other.

I wasn’t sure how we’d survive.

As the couples next to me were taking forever to move, I decided to open the Covey Connections app and have a look at the message from Brandon again.

Was I desperate enough to message Henry? It seemed like Brandon only wanted me to help him build some confidence, but would it be that bad going on a date with him? Maybe it would help build my confidence too.

As Henry’s face smiled up at me, I thought,Fuck it.What did I have to lose except my self-respect and dignity?

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