Friend-Zoned (Friend-Zoned 1)

It’s Saturday Night.

I’m sure the girls will come to the club tonight. And for the first time in forever, I’m not excited about seeing Tina.

In fact, I’m dreading it.

Poker night went okay from what I could hear of it. I heard everyone laughing and talking from inside my room. The girls left about midnight. I pleaded a headache after I heard about Tina’s date and spent the night on my bed like a stubborn child who didn’t get his way.

Yesterday, I avoided Tina like the plague. She sent me an instant message asking if I wanted to do lunch but I lied and told her I was drowning in work and would be off site most of the day.

Today, Tina came to the office but I had Max tell her I wasn’t in. She brought some cupcakes for us but I didn’t have one. You know shit just got serious when you refuse gooey caramel cupcakes which taste like heaven. I’m not sure what she wanted but I was in no mood to hear her tell me about her fantastic date with Super Chad, Accountant of the Year.

Okay, so call me sulky, but when the girl you really like is not into you, it sucks. And now I’m actually thinking about cutting her loose.

I think I’ll just tell her that work is really busy and that I might not have as much time as I used to for our lunches and get-togethers. Then I’ll cancel Poker night all together. And someway cut the rest of the girls out of our lives. While somehow asking for the VIP passes back. Then we can all go back to how things were before. Uncomplicated.

I’m hanging out with Ghost in the security room watching the CCTV. I know the second the girls arrive.

B-Rock gets giddy and smiles like an idiot. Then I see them. Beautiful as always. Cutting them out of our lives is not going to be easy. Tina is the last in and kisses B-Rock on the cheek while looking at him like he personally shines the stars at night. I know how that look can make a guy feel. I’m normally on the receiving end of that look.

They disappear from camera view for a few minutes then reappear on the CCTV in the VIP area.

I can see they’re looking around for us. After a few minutes, they give up.

Tina still sneaks looks though. She’s frowning. I don’t like it.

Knowing I’m putting that look on her face makes me feel like the world’s biggest ass. Especially, when just a week ago I swore I’d do anything to protect her from looks like that. But that was before my epiphany this morning.

Who’s going to protect me from her?

Ghost sighs and looks towards me. He says, “Clue in, man. ”

I’m confused. I reply, “Huh?”

He sits back in his chair and tells me like he thinks he sees it, “Tina likes you. More than likes you. Grow some damn balls and do something about it. ”

I scowl at him and spit out, “She had a date the other night. I don’t think she likes me that much, bro. ”

He puts his hands behind his neck and smiles. He offers, “If I was a chick and I saw the guy I like every day having to act like I’m not interested, it would drive me

nuts. I’d do anything to get my mind off it. Even go on a date. ”

I don’t answer; just stare at Tina through the display.

God, why does she have to be so beautiful?

Ghost makes an impatient sound and barks, “Fuck, man, she bailed on the date half hour in. That sound like she had a good time?!”

What?

I frown. I’m confused. “What?”

Ghost sighs and leans forward slightly. He looks at the display and points to the girl of my dreams, “That girl of yours was itching to get out of there. Called Nat to get her out of it. The guy was a dud. Supreme dud. Still living at home and owns a fuckin’ stamp collection. ” He chuckles on the last bit.

Are you fuckin’ serious?

“What the hell, man? Why didn’t you tell me any of this yesterday or today?” I demand. I’m pissed.

He leans back in his chair again and smiles cruelly. He shrugs and mutters, “You ask me?”