Noah
You’re my best non-hockey-playing friend. Probably better than most of those too.
Me
So you said.
Noah
I’m hoping I didn’t mess this up.
Me
I’m choosing to believe your heart was in the right place.
Noah
My brain was in the wrong head, but my heart would never do anything to hurt you.
I bite my bottom lip for a full five minutes before I type something that makes me want to throw my phone across the room, so I don’t have to see how he responds.
Me
The benefit can’t be sex.
Noah
What?
Me
The thing you bet before you kissed me. You can try. But no sex.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Noah
Side Quests
I didn’t know Savannah worked, let alone where, so I have no idea what time she’ll be home. The guys all went to Slapshots for the half-price wings, but I’m sitting in my computer chair, pretending to be studying, waiting for her to message me. Or block me, I’m not sure which is more likely. I was a horny teenager who wanted too much and is going to end up with nothing, which sucks, but I have a lot more trouble living with the fact that I made her doubt herself and think me wanting her was some kind of prank.
When she thanks me for the plant, my relief feels like a physical thing, because I was so terrified that she would never talk to me again, but while I’m preparing to grovel and promise to be on my best behavior, she goes and knocks everything upside down.
Peaches
The thing you bet before you kissed me. You can try. But no sex.
I stare at my screen for a full minute, rereading her words over and over again. I want to keep rereading, because I must be missing something, but it seems like the kind of thing I’d be freaking out about if I texted and she didn’t respond within seconds. I want to ask if someone stole her phone, or a question to confirm her identity, considering how fast she ran out this afternoon, but instead, I call her.
“Don’t you know our generation doesn’t like talking on the phone?” she asks, so nervous and vulnerable that I wish I’d FaceTimed her, so I could make sure I didn’t break her into agreeing to this.
“I needed to hear your voice. To make sure it was you.” She scoffs. “Are you sure?”
“Trying to make me change my mind?”
“If it’s not made up, then yeah. Anything that isn’t a hell yes is a fuck no.”
I think she’s considering it before she asks, “Did you mean what you said in the letter?”
