“Do I get to set you up on a date if I win?” Jack bargains, the challenge hanging in the air.
“Uh, no,” I say, scoffing. This is about Jack, and it has nothing to do with me.
He tilts his head, his bright eyes trailing over my face as if he’s looking for something. “Because you’re already dating someone?”
What?
I reel back, caught off guard by the question, and I’m aware that all other chatter in the room has ceased, with everyone’s attention on me.
Why would Jack ask me that?
“You have a boyfriend?” Dylan asks, his voice strained.
“No, she doesn’t,” Ellie says, coming to my rescue as I scramble for an explanation that makes sense without raising more questions.
“I don’t have a boyfriend, but I said no because I have no interest in seeing anyone.” Where is this coming from?
Jack’s smile doesn’t meet his eyes, and it’s so unlike him, I’m not sure I like the sudden change. “How is that any different from me not wanting a girlfriend?”
The energy in the room has shifted from what started as fun and games to something that causes the hair on the back of my neck to stand up. I swallow the lump forming in my throat. “It just is. Pick something else,” I say, and I set down my fork.
Someone say something please.This is so fucking awkward right now.
I look at Jack, wishing I could ask what’s going through his mind right now to have made him ask me that, but I can’t.
“What if you went to our games this weekend?” Nate suggests, and while I’m not a fan of this idea either, it’s better than going on a date with someone.
“Wait, I like this idea. Then I’ll have someone else besides Sara to sit with who isn’t talking about fucking my brother and his friends,” Ellie says, but my palms feel sweaty. “Sorry, Al, I know you don’t want to go, but I feel like it’s a pretty good middle ground to wager?”
I look at Jack at the same time his gaze flits to meet mine, and Jack’s eyes soften, and this time, he bumps my knee with his. “What do you say, Al?” he asks, his voice quieter than before. “Rock paper scissors?”
I take a breath, trying to let the uncomfortable moment slide off my shoulder. “Deal,” I say, because there’s no way I’ll lose.
Except I do, and my jaw drops as his hand covers mine for a moment because paper beats rock.
Oh my god, I lost?
“Paper beats rock, but don’t worry, I have a spare jersey you can borrow for the game,” Jack says, taking another bite of his dinner, and I’m not sure what the fuck just happened.
“I’m not wearing your jersey,” I say, huffing. Who picks paper? I mean, seriously? I feel like everyone always goes with rock or scissors.
“You can wear mine,” Nate and Dylan both offer at the same time, and Ellie scoffs.
“Or we could be happy she’s going?”
Jack leans in, distracting me from the spinning in my head. “Just a tip, Macy told me you tend to rely on rock paper scissors for diplomatic problems, and that you lean toward rock.”
I gasp, my jaw hitting the floor. “You cheated.”
“I didn’t cheat, but I used my resources to beat you at your own game.”
Macy’s going to regret giving me her spare key when I use it to smother her with her own pillow.
“I don’t like you,” I say, frowning at Jack as his phone rings on the counter next to Dylan.
“Whatever you say,” Jack says, his dimple peeking out before he inhales another bite of dinner.
“Dude, it’s your mom. Can I answer?” Dylan asks, and Jack nods, trying to swallow.
