Page 48 of Gym Bros
“That’s not a no.”
“That was a complete and total dismissal of your crazy.”
“Why crazy? Rachel and I can both totally acknowledge you’re hotter than us. We’ve come to terms with it. Honestly we’re secretly glad when you won’t go dancing with us because you steal all the attention.”
“Ouch,” I say, meaning it.
“No offense. It was a compliment.”
“Ouch,” I say again with emphasis.
“I’m just saying, straight or gay or curious or whatever he is, he’s got his eye on you.”
“Only because he thinks I’m judging him all the time.”
“Are we still going to brunch?”
Do I want to?“Yes,” I say.
“Pay a little more attention, then,” she says. “You’ll see.”
8
SAMUEL
I’m not disappointed when the waitress doesn’t ask for my ID when I order a mimosa but only because it would have been embarrassing since she doesn’t ask for anyone else’s.
After she walks away, everyone is staring at me. “What?”
“Naughty boy.”
I frown. “You all ordered drinks,” I say.
Calyx says, “She just means because of your age.”
“Oh,” I say. “Today’s actually my birthday.”
His eyes widen, and I feel my face getting hot. I probably shouldn’t have sat next to him in the booth. I’m like—way too aware of him.
“You came to goat yoga on yourbirthday?”
I gesture at the table. “And brunch.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” he asks, looking kind of bummed. “I would have picked a better place.”
“What’s wrong with this one?”
He gestures across the table at Priya and Rachel, “I picked here because they look like hags, but we could have planned something nice.”
“Why would you—?” I shut up. “This is fine.”
“We have to go out tonight and celebrate,” Rachel says. Apparently the hag comment didn’t faze her.
“Yes!” Priya adds. “The place with the cage dancers.”
Calyx looks alarmed by the suggestion. “Whoa. Ladies. Cool off. He’s probably got plans.”
They don’t even know me.“I don’t.” I say. “Cage dancers, huh?”
