“I know and respect your usual anti-relationship stance, but maybe…maybe this guy could be good for you,” Gracie suggests softly.
A sigh escapes me. “Maybe? I don’t know.”
I’m being ridiculous. I sort of know—I totally think Tony could be good for me. He could make me forget my anti-relationship status, though that’s dangerous territory I’m wading into it. I need to keep my guard up. I’m sure his is still up too.
Our parents really did a number on us.
/> “Has he texted you?”
I shake my head. “But it’s only Tuesday. And I’m sure he’s busy.”
Gracie’s lips thin, but she says nothing. She doesn’t have to. If a guy’s interested, he texts. Often. This is a code she lives by. She’s met lots of guys who weren’t interested, aka, they didn’t text her very much. And she’s also met guys who’ve texted her constantly. Same with me. I’m not going to take Tony’s lack of texting as a bad sign.
Yet.
“He’s starting on the football team now. I’m sure practice is taking a lot out of him,” I add.
“Stop making excuses for him, though I suppose you’re right.” Her expression turns thoughtful and she taps her lips with her index finger. “I’ve never gone out with a Bulldog football player before.”
“I’m surprised.”
“Right? Me too! I tend to be drawn to the more artistic types.” Her expression turns dreamy as I’m sure she thinks of her latest crush.
His name is Robin. His parents named him for their favorite Bee Gee—no joke. I had to look up who the Bee Gees were when Gracie explained this fun fact. So did she, she admitted. Once I heard their music on Spotify, I knew who she was talking about.
I always thought Robin was a girl’s name.
But anyway, her Robin is in a band. His hair is dyed black and hangs in his face. He paints his nails black and rims his eyes with kohl liner. He looks straight out of an emo band, circa 2011. Gracie currently thinks he’s the hottest thing alive.
“Are you seeing Robin tonight?”
“Yes. I’m going to watch him perform.” Her expression lights up and she starts bouncing in her seat. “You should come with me.”
“No. No way.” I shake my head. I’ve been to a few small concerts watching her latest musician crush, including one last week, and they’ve always been God awful. Bad music. Sloppy performance. Lots of pissed-off teenagers clamoring for these guys’ attention, wearing their best trashy outfits that they changed into the second Mom dropped them off at the front door.
I might’ve done this type of thing myself a time or two when I was in high school. I know the drill.
“Oh, come on. If we don’t find your hottie, you have to come. It’s the least you can do to pay me back for sitting out here with you.”
“Is it really such a chore, sitting in the sunshine, getting your homework done and drinking your free PSL frap?” I ask, vaguely annoyed.
“Yes. Yes, it is. I could be at home, getting ready for tonight.” She smiles. “You should see the outfit I have picked out.”
I can only imagine.
My gaze drifts as Gracie drones on about Robin’s band and how good they are. He’s the lead singer, of course. Writes all the lyrics. Blah, blah, blah.
My gaze snags on a tall, dark haired and extremely handsome boy standing among a cluster of other equally tall, extremely handsome boys, and I realize my hard work has paid off.
It’s Tony and his group of friends.
They’re talking. Some of them animatedly, though not mine. He just stands there, listening intently. One of them smacks Tony in the shoulder, and he just laughs. My heart catches in my throat when I see that dazzling smile on his face. How relaxed and at ease he seems with his friends. I remember how he was when I saw him at the country club. Stiff. Tense. Cautious.
He doesn’t like his dad. He wasn’t comfortable with him at all. Such a shame.
But I get it.
“Hey.” Gracie snaps her fingers and I startle to attention. “Did you hear anything I just said?”