Page 77 of Shutout
“And?”
“I might or not have decided that I want to get out of the friendzone?” I finish the comment with a weak little cringe. “I just don’t know how.” Luz, Maddie, and Mom weren’t exactly helpful. They were all of the consensus that I should tell Brooke I’ve had a crush on him for the longest time, and ask if he’d consider dating me. But that’s the very last thing I want to do.
The thing I learned from my ex is that if men don’t want something—me, I’m talking about me—there is no way you can make them. I tried to mold myself into the version of Trent’s ideal woman according to his little comments here and there, and he still cheated on me. Because he never wanted me. And that was solely on him, but it’s just the damning case that proves this hypothesis.
Brooklyn has to want me first, and no amount of me telling him that I want him is going to convince him of that.
After explaining all of this to them, I add, “We held hands basically the whole day and he did nothing. Nada. Not even give me a spicy little look. Forget about eating my mouth.”
Mina gives me a glacial stare. “Ever stopped to think that maybe it’s because you’re not coming onto him?”
“But like I just said?—”
She raises her palm. “Hold. Coming onto him isn’t necessarily about spilling your feelings. Just like, dress sexy around him and see how he reacts.”
“Oh yeah, that’s an easy one.” Dee leans her hip on the sink and motions to herself. “That’s what tonight is all about.”
I frown. For Thanksgiving, I wore a normal black sweater tucked into boyfriend jeans. Comfortable. Me. But not exactly screaming throw-me-against-the-wall-and-devour-my-mouth.
“Okay, good point.”
Mina points at her phone. “How about tonight? We have the perfect occasion.”
“Let’s do it.”
The way the two of them squeal makes me cover my ears with my hands. Then I freeze. “Crap, wait. My nails are drying.”
“That’s fine, baby girl. It buys us plenty of time to pick an outfit.”
Dee gives Mina a look. “We won’t find anything useful in her closet, though.”
“Actually…” The two of them turn to me, expectant. “There might be something.”
“Oh?”
“I originally intended to wear it for Trent?—”
“Girl, no.”
“Ew.”
I’m healed enough from that episode that I can chuckle. “I know. Big mistake to wear something for a guy, and yet here I am.”
“It’s different. This is to make you confident enough to finally bag the love of your life.” Mina folds her arms. “Don’t you two give me that look. It’s true. I’m pretty sure Brooklyn and Olivia are soulmates.”
“We are so not passing the Bechdel test,” Dee mutters.
“I want to wear it for myself, though.” I lift my chin. “Andthat’s actually why I bought it. Because I wanted to feel sexy in it.”
“What is thisityou speak of?” Mina asks.
After a brief expedition to my room and with her help to dig into my closet so I don’t damage my nails, she plucks out theitfrom the bottom of a drawer. The two of them ooh and aah at it.
Dee tilts her head and says, “Wait, but he won’t see this unless things have already progressed quite far, you know?”
“Not unless Liv wears it as a statement piece.”
To Mina’s surprise, I nod. “Yep, that’s what I was thinking about.”
