Nate slow nods. “It’s just …” He picks at the cotton on my comforter, his gaze trained carefully down at the bed. “I still don’t know if Elias is a good fit for you.”
“Nate—”
His head shoots up. “I’m sorry, I’m not trying to tell you what to do, it’s just, I don’t want you to get messed around. Elias just comes off as kind of a douche.”
A sudden urge to defend Elias surfaces, but I push it down. Nate is my best friend. He has my best interests at heart. Elias doesn’t. Elias just wants to monopolize my time so we can be a better doubles pairing.
“I appreciate you looking out for me, Nate, I really do. But I’m a big boy, I can take care of myself.” I try to be gentle, but firm enough to let him know I really mean what I’m saying.
He takes a deep breath, nodding. “Okay, I’ll stay out of it. If you want to date Elias, I’ll support you."
After he leaves, I find it hard to focus on anything. I hate lying to Nate. I consider going downstairs and telling him the truth, but I think it’s far too late for that now.
Plus, Elias texts me saying,
Hey boyfriend, want to go on a date with me tomorrow night?
My insides turn to jello. I wish I could go on a date with him, even if it is fake, but I can’t.
It’s my mom’s birthday, I have to go back to Connecticut for a few days for a party. We’ll hang out when I get back.
A reply appears ridiculously fast.
What about the match this weekend? We can’t miss any practice sessions.
I remember our conversation in the laundry room and feel like I’m not holding up my side of the bargain. But I can’t blow my mom’s birthday off. My life wouldn’t be worth living. He sends another text before I can reply.
Where are you? We need to talk.
I should have known Elias wouldn’t let it go that easily. But if it’s a toss-up between getting on his bad side or getting on my mom’s, I know who I’d choose.
I’m already pretending I didn’t forget her birthday and dealing with the extra workload I’ll have when I get back from whatever extravagant two-day party she’s got planned. I don’t need Elias on my case as well.
On my way to the library, got lots of work to catch up on.
I don’t expect him to text back so fast. The light turns green and I pause before someone starts honking behind me. When I glance down, I catch a glimpse of his response.
Meet you there.
Elias is waiting outside the library with a textbook and a laptop shoved under his arm, a petulant scowlon his face.
“Hey.” I try to act casual and walk past. He follows me, keeping his voice low once we get inside.
“What the hell, Ben?”
“Shall we take this table? Looks quiet in this spot.”
“No, over there’s better.”
I frown.
“I was just here with Joelle.”
I unpack my books and start up my laptop.
“Ben, we need to practice. We don’t want to lose to Harvard, do we?”
“We won’t. We’re a much better team. It’s Stanford we have to worry about.”
