Page 68 of Friendshipped
“Why don’t you talk to him? You two dated. Maybe he still loves you too.”
“It’s not that simple. We’re in this microscopic town where life feels like whispering in an elevator. Everyone hears. And we’ve got this group of life-long friends and our annual rituals can’t be messed up … like going to the reservoir, hayrides, birthdays. I can’t disturb the balance again.
“Anyway, he called it off. His rejection should be my answer. I’m not the one for him even though he’s the one for me. I just need to move on—eventually. Maybe I’ll give this guy Joe another chance.”
“You’ll get over Rob eventually, Laura. Give it time.”
My heart races in my chest, feeling suddenly too big for my rib cage. Every reason Laura gave for not pursuing Rob hit my heart and pinged around in there like a pinball knocking into all the bells and bouncing off targets for double points. Her reasons are my reasons. I can’t talk to Trevor about my feelings. And I certainly can’t fall for Trevor. Except I already have.
24
Lexi
Monday morning I’m singing along at the top of my lungs to Pharrell Williams while I lather my back-to-normal hair and think about Trevor. I probably ought not dwell on thoughts of him while I’m in the shower, but my mind is a wayward thing when it comes to Trevor.
I’ll never know if it’s the bleach blond that caused Meg to win Trevor’s attention because my days of hair dye are good and over. It was insanity to think I could shift things between us by changing my hair anyway.
The conversation between Trevor and Rob loops through my head like a reel on Instagram. I have zero likes for that reel, but it’s reminding me I need to move on.
I hear my ringtone which is currently set onWalk This Way, the Run DMC version. I hop out of the shower, grab a towel and lunge for my phone.
Laura’s name is on the screen.
I need to get dressed for work, but whatever she wants must be important for her to call this early on a workday.
“Hey,” I say, balancing the phone on my shoulder to pinch it next to my ear while I dry off.
“Hey. I had this idea after you left the salon yesterday.”
“I’m all ears.”
“Joe mentioned that he has a friend from out of town coming to visit this weekend. He said if I had a friend who wanted to join us, we could make it a double date.
“After talking to you yesterday, I realized I can’t keep waiting for Rob. So, I’m going to say yes to Joe. He’s nice and he’s gorgeous. I could do worse. I was going to ask Shannon along. But you can come instead if you want.”
I need to do this. The app seems to have only turned up the veritable bottom feeders from the dating pool. Obviously, I can’t count on Memaw’s judgment, even if Joshua did have nice teeth. And Chase hasn’t shown any signs that he’s possibly interested in me, and he probably won’t, knowing my track record with men I actually find attractive.
A double date should be pretty guaranteed not to go south. I’ll have Laura there to protect me from weirdness.
“Okay,” I say.
“Wait. Okay? That was so easy!”
“I don’t want to stagnate and let the app determine my destiny. I’m young. I should be dating, right?”
“I’m curious what has you so willing. Is it because Trevor is back with Meg?”
“Pshhht, no.”
“Right. Well whatever it is, I’m excited! You’re a catch my friend. Any man would be lucky to have you. Trevor included.”
She has to throw Trevor in at every opportunity. Well, he won’t be on the double date. And Laura won’t be bringing him up then either.
* * *
Less than a weekafter Laura’s phone call, I’m staring in my closet like it’s a slot machine about to spit out the perfect outfit if I hit the winning combo. My double date with Laura, Joe, and Joe’s friend Eddie starts in an hour.
Trevor’s voice calls from downstairs. “Lexi, where are you?”
