“I…have less experience than I let on. Like…Seb and I haven’t done anything together.”
For a moment, Linden doesn’t say anything, his eyebrows knitting together. “I know. You already said so.”
“No. I mean…we haven’t doneanythinganything. Like…none of these threesomes ever happened. It’s just…a rumor. I’ve been with all the girls involved, yes, but Seb wasn’t in it,” I clarify. Somehow, I feel even more stupid now that it’s out in the open. It sounds like a total douchebag thing to do—something you’dexpectfrom a stereotypical jock in a teen movie.
“But I saw you three at the party! I mean, it looked like Davenport was happily participating,” Linden points out, and I cringe. Ah, yes, he still hasn’t forgotten.
“Yeah…let’s say he usually opts out at a certain point,” I try to explain without giving away too much. “I just thought you should know the whole truth before we…do stuff together.”
“Already lowering my expectations, huh?” he snorts, then shakes his head. “I just don’t understand why you’d do this. Cultivate this rumor, I mean. If people think you’re sleeping together, isn’t that like…bad for you guys?”
I draw up my shoulders in defense, unsure of how to respond. It’s a valid question, but this also isn’t my story to tell, and I know my best friend wouldn’t want others to know about it. But I have to give Linden some part of the truth if we’re about to do this.
“Seb is under a lot of pressure. I…it’s none of my business, but with his family…he sometimes feels like he has to portray a certain image, you know? The first time, it kinda happened. We didn’t plan it! But over time, it got out of hand. I think a few of the girls talked the events up to their friends, and the story took off from there.”
Linden hums, scratching his jawline as he tries to follow my argument. “Mhm, getting not only the pretty tight end but also his broody quarterback friend into bed became a status symbol, huh?”
I cringe at his words.
“Please don’t make my life sound like some cheesy rom-com,” I groan, but he laughs, finally drawing his hand back and patting my knee. “Don’t worry, you managed that on your own. But I appreciate your honesty, Micah.”
I give him a small nod, still unsure if I did the right thing. But when I reach for the door handle and get out of his truck, I somehow feel lighter. Linden is already busy with unloading ourgroceries when I reach for my cell phone. Two missed calls from my dad and a long text message with a lot of emojis—I swipe the notifications away, instead pulling up the conversation with Mia.
Count me in
Linden, June 12th
“This was a good idea.” I idly slosh my feet back and forth, enjoying the cool water of the kiddie pool Nicko and I set up in our backyard. The sun hasn’t rounded the house yet, and with a large glass of ice tea, the heat is bearable. It’s the best way to spend my day off from the pound.
The thought instantly makes me feel guilty, and I silently vow to smuggle in a bag of ice cubes to give to the puppies tomorrow.
“It was your idea,” Nicko snorts from his lawn chair. He’s lying all the way down, with his legs up to his knees in the water.
“Yeah, so?” I shoot back, smiling when he kicks some water at me, creating small waves that don’t even touch the edge of the pool. I can’t help but count down another day he’ll be here at the Nook. He’s barely around these days with that summer camp keeping him busy. But I’ll miss him when he moves out. The thought of profiting from his absence should feel more exciting than it does. I’m losing my best friend to a fast-moving career, and I’m stuck here for at least another two years.
“Hey, how are my girls? Any takers yet?”
I chuckle at Nicko’s question, even as I shake my head. “No, Violet and Lila are still going strong. They miss you, though,” I add that last part, hoping it’ll guilt him into coming to take them for a walk again before he leaves. That way he can visit me too if things go sideways with Micah and I have to hide out at the dog pound until the next semester starts. Not that Iwantthings to go sideways, but…I made some hefty promises.
Nicko must notice my thoughts drifting because he pushes his sunglasses up into his hair and looks at me properly.
“Hey, what’s up? Is that Colin business still bothering you?”
Of course I told Nicko everything: the disaster of a date with Colin, the deal I agreed to, and the deadline hanging over my head. Naturally, Nicko thought it was bullshit and ranted about him until I was laughing at his creative insults. Over the summer holidays, I—not entirely unintentionally—neglected to update him on the state of things. Pretty hypocritical after I gave him a hard time last year, when he secretly switched places with his twin, but I already know he doesn’t like Colin, and I don’t think he’d approve of my plan with Micah. I just don’t want to hear it.
“Lind.” Nicko scoots up to sit properly on his chair, looking at me seriously. “I know it sucks, but seriously! Forget about him. Plenty of fish in the sea!”
“Yeah, I know.” I sigh, hoping to placate him quickly. I don’t even want to think about all the failed chats I had on the dating sites. Or the dick pics I got.
“Xan and I should find this guy and beat some sense into him. What kind of asshole gives an ultimatum like that?” Nicko grumbles, his eyebrows drawing together.
“No violence!” I protest, pulling his fists back down. He huffs but settles down, instead draping one arm across my shoulders in a crooked hug that nearly topples us out of our lawn chairs.
We cackle from the brief burst of adrenaline.
I stretch my leg out to nudge Nicko’s. While I appreciate his protectiveness, I don’t feel like it’s necessary. Maybe Colin’s deadline is the challenge I needed. Freshman me wouldn’t have dreamed of making a pass on someone like Micah. But present me is thrilled by how direct I was. So many of my peers jump right into each other's beds without worrying too much about it, so why can’t I sleep with people just because I find them attractive?
Nicko sighs, rubbing a hand down his face. He’s obviously working up to something, his jaw moving like he’s chewing on the words. “I know you feel behind, Lind, but it’s not a race. I—” He breaks off, glancing over his shoulder before continuing in a hushed voice, “I never bottomed before I got together with Xan.”
