Page 76 of Shutout
Or does she love me like a dog?
I can’t believe I’m jealous of a hypothetical dog.
Or was that a clever sidestep? It’s true that she’s smart and I’m not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed.
But I haven’t even figured out what to say back when Lauren announces that the damn turkey’s ready ahead of time,so we end up sitting at dinner without being able to talk about this at all.
And later, as I drive us back to campus, Liv keeps her nose in the book Maddie gave her. Like she doesn’t want to talk.
Or like she said too much. Like maybe she does feel something for me. And this time, it might be more complex than just friendship if she can’t say it loud and clear.
Or maybe I’m too desperate to be loved for real.
CHAPTER 26
OLIVIA
Back at the apartment, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Mina and I watch as Dee primps herself up for a date with a mystery guy. She’s in the bathroom, applying mascara to her eyelashes while we oversee her efforts, Mina from the hallway, and I perched on the edge of the bathtub.
“Make sure to apply a second layer,” Mina says in a grouchy tone.
“Yes, ma’am.” Dee happily applies another layer, but I don’t think it matters. Dee’s a knockout even wearing her baggy, sweaty hockey uniform.
“Ugh, how come you have a date lined up after Thanksgiving but not me?” After asking, Mina jams her hand in a bag of trail mix and all but stuffs the whole mouthful into her mouth, crunching in such an aggressive way that I fear for her enamel.
At least I’m trying to be productive by painting my nails with glittery black polish. But don’t get me wrong, I am jealous as can be, too.
“Maybe it helps that I found this guy at an empty O’Malley’s during Thanksgiving, and we had a few drinks together?”
“Okay, I detect the sarcasm and I respect it.” Mina laughs, her mouth open and showing a lovely view of mashed trail mix.
After applying the last coat of top polish to my toes, I lower my foot and really look at Dee. She’s the one who taught me the art of applying my makeup before putting on my clothes, after the one time I got eye shadow all over a nice blouse. But damn, if that guy gets an eyeful of Dee’s undies he’ll get a heart attack.
My eyebrows shoot up. “So, I take it this is not the kind of date we need to wait up for you?”
“Who knows.” Dee smacks her lips as she applies gloss. “I might or not get lucky, we’ll see.”
“We are so not lucky.” Mina’s face scrunches up like a kid about to throw a tantrum. “We are so not getting lucky tonight, just to clarify.”
Dee pauses from her ministrations. “Or… you could, like, hit up a bar or something.”
Mina’s eyes brighten immediately and set on me. “Can we?”
“I’m not interested in looking for guys.” I shrug. There’s literally only one I’d love to be getting ready for a date for.
“But think of your poor, cold and lonely friend.” Mina directs her pout at the screen of her cellphone instead of at me. “Instagram, here we go. Let’s see where the hockey players are.”
“No, please. No more Bolts.” I put the palm of my hand on my face. The last thing I want is to send a weird signal to Brooke, which is exactly what would happen if I start hanging out around his guys while I’m trying to figure out how to seducehim.
“Oh!” She exclaims. “Dane Bloom and Brooklyn Tatum are at O’Malley’s. Let’s go.”
Okay, if Brooke is there that’s a different story.
My spine straightens as the two of them turn to me. I bite my lip but there’s no holding back the heat taking over my face. “Um, okay.”
“Oh, shit. Is this finally happening?” Dee drops the tub of gloss on the sink from the shock. Meanwhile, Mina’s eyes widen dramatically.
“Well.” I clear my throat and rock a little on my seat. “I may have had an epiphany or two over the holiday.”
