Page 51 of One of Them Girls

“I fucking hate her.”

“I know,” I sigh, suddenly exhausted.

“She’s toxic and wants to be the center of attention.”

“I know.”

“I seriously don’t know why you still talk to her. Anytime you’ve ever shown an interest in a guy, she’s put the moves on him, pushing you to the side. Is that really the kind of friend you want?” Rebecca huffs.

“You know it’s not. We aren’t even really friends anymore, but you also know I can’t just walk away when her mom and mine are best friends. It’s easier to keep the peace,” I remind her for the thousandth time.

“Can’t believe she had the audacity to call herself your best friend.” Rebecca rolls her eyes as we walk into the coffee shop. I play on my phone as Rebecca checks out the bulletin board as I go through my emails.

“Hey.” She hits my side, getting my attention. “The rodeo is coming to town this weekend. You want to go?”

“Sure.” I smile. “I wonder if Xavier has ever been to a rodeo before.”

“Only one way to find out.” Rebecca raises her brow. “You text Xavier and I’ll text Jack.” She says as we move up the line.

“So, Jack, huh?” I ask as I type out a text.

Me: what are you doing this weekend?

“I like spending time with him but we’re young so who knows what will happen,” Rebecca says as she texts Jack.

Avi: Shouldn’t I be the one to ask you that? I’ve got nothing planned, why what’s up?

Me: How would you feel about going to a rodeo?

“I get that,” I tell Rebecca as I wait for his reply.

We move up to the register and place our orders. My phone buzzes as I pay. Once we move off to the side to wait for our order, I read his message.

Avi: If it means spending more time with you, then I’m game.

“Smooth,” Rebecca mutters, reading over my shoulder.

“Hey, no snooping,” I chastise.

“Really?” she deadpans right as the barista calls our names. We grab our coffees as I text him back.

Me: Smooth. Better get ready to get your Texas on city boy.

* * *

Xavier

I don’t know what I expected when Cassi invited me to a rodeo, but it sure wasn’t this; I think as I take in the fair going on. Flashing lights, rides, and rigged games galore with the scent of fried food lingering in the air.

“I don’t know what I was expecting, but it sure wasn’t this,” I tell her as we walk side-by-side into the fair, trailing behind Jack and Rebecca.

Cassi looks around, nodding. “Yeah, I probably should have mentioned this isn’t a normal rodeo.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, moving closer to her as the crowd thickens.

“Every year the rodeo and the fair come to town at the same time. Two separate events but you can easily go from one to the other.” she shrugs. “Having the two side-by-side increases the turnout.”

“Make sense. It’s good for marketing.”

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