Jack has been tiptoeing around me all night, and I’m not oblivious to all our friends’ stares, trying to figure out our new dynamic. I don’t know how to make it better, though.
I’ve been taking it easy tonight, still nursing my first beer, unlike Macy, Ellie, and Sara who are taking full advantage of the chance to go all out. I think between the four of them, they’llhave no problem doing enough shots to add up to twenty-two without me participating.
Ellie throws her arm over my shoulder, leaning in to drunkenly kiss my cheek. “I’m so glad we’re roommates,” she says, giggling.
“Me too,” I say, leaning into her hug. She’s been a really good friend to me this year.
I don’t miss how, out of the corner of my eye, Jack says something to Dylan before standing up, pulling his coat on. “I’m gonna call it a night, but y’all have fun,” he says, his smile not quite meeting his eyes when he says it, and I feel awful.
Sara boos him, pointing her thumb down. “Lame, it’s not even eleven, and you’re already ditching us?”
“Sorry, but I played a whole game tonight, and I’m wiped,” he says, his blue eyes flitting to me for a moment. “Happy birthday, Al,” he says, and I smile back at him, but it feels so fucking awkward.
“Thanks, Jack,” I say, reaching for my bottle.
After he walks away, everyone’s eyes land on me, and I feel like I’m about to be scolded like a child.
Coop sighs, dragging his hands over his face. “Look, I am the last person who wants to be involved in whatever the fuck was going on with you two, but that was painful,” he says, and I take a drink of my beer.
“We’re still friends,” I point out, and Dylan shakes his head.
“Bullshit,” Macy says, waving her finger in the air. “You love him.”
I sputter because I’d prefer if she didn’t announce it in front of his roommates, but it’s a little late now. “Mace,” I scold.
“What? Does anyone think I’m wrong?” she asks, her challenge hanging in the air, but no one looks surprised. Am I really that transparent?
“It doesn’t matter,” I say, shaking my head as Sara laughs.
“Except it does, because you both looked like lovesick fools trying not to stare at the other all night. For fuck’s sake, I was ready to shove your heads together and yell,Kiss!because I think it would solve everything,” she says, and Nate laughs. “Or maybe I’d dare you to kiss Nate again to spur him into action.”
“I’m game if you think it’d work,” he chimes in, and I glare at him.
It’s funny now to think about how jealous Jack was after it. I think it’s fair to say it was arguably the reason why Jack asked to be friends with benefits.
“Even if you dare me, I’m not kissing anyone.”
“Dylan, any words of wisdom?” Ellie asks, and he shrugs.
“Don’t look at me. I told him to pull his head out of his ass after Halloween, and now it’s almost February,” Dylan says, and this is news to me. “Al, if it makes you feel better, you’re the closest anyone’s come to Jack changing his mind about love. Hell, I think he’s in love with you, but he’s not ready to admit it.”
If anything, it only causes my head to spin out further.
Maybe Jack had the right idea leaving early.
Like Ellie can tell it’s too much for me to hear, she tries to salvage the night. “Al, we don’t have to talk about it anymore,” she offers, but I need to clear my head. It’s too much.
“Don’t hate me, but I’m kind of tired,” I say, and I feel bad because Macy was so excited, but I’m just not in the mood to celebrate after the last couple of weeks.
“No, please stay,” Macy says, flashing her best puppy dog eyes, but at the pace they’ve been doing shots tonight, I don’t think they’re going to make it past midnight.
Ellie shoots Coop a look, and he flinches, putting his hands up. “Sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have said anything,” he mumbles, and this time he yelps. “Ellie, stop kicking me, I’m apologizing,” Coop says, and she huffs, shaking her head.
“Don’t be so dramatic, I didn’t even kick you that hard,” she says, and I chuckle at their sibling dynamic.
“What Coop is trying and failing to say, is we just want you both to be happy, and obviously neither of you are very happy right now,” Nate says, and I know they’re right, but it doesn’t mean I can fix anything.
“I know, but I can’t make Jack change his mind,” I say, admitting my hands are tied. “I’ll let you know when I get home.” I stand up before any of them can argue with me. I reach into my bag and pull out two twenties, setting them on the table. “Next round’s on me to make up for it,” I say, and Dylan shoves it back at me.
