Will
I’ll text when I’m heading over.
15
PORTER
Ireread Will’s text again and groan. I shouldn’t have told him he could come over tonight. And to watch a movie? What is wrong with me? Everyone knows that’s basically code to hook up when it’s the person you’ve been texting nonstop.
Except this can’t be a date. There will be no hooking up because Will isn’t into me, and it is what it is.
I push myself off the bed and pace my room. I tell myself I don’t care what I’m wearing, then immediately stop in front of my full-length mirror because I’m a liar and I do care very much. I’m in my silky sleepwear, which is one of my go-to home outfits. I also love an oversized sweatshirt with briefs—or my silk panties if I know Josie will actually be gone—and sweatpants and a crop top. The silk sleep shorts and crop top feel like too much for a movie night with Will, so I change into a cotton crop top and sweatpants then drop back onto my bed.
There’s no way I’m getting another ounce of homework or studying done. Not when I know Will is coming over soon. I need to spend the remaining time it takes him to get here to stopfreaking out. There’s no reason to be nervous. This would just be like if Abbey or Dom came over to have a movie night.
My phone buzzes beside me, and I pick it up, seeing Will’s name on my screen.
Will
On my way
“Fuck,” I whisper and get out of my bed, glancing around my room. The sudden urge to tidy up when it’s already clean is overwhelming, but we’re not even going to be in my room so it doesn’t matter. Still, I address the pile of clean clothes that are sitting on my dresser and finally put them away. It’s making me feel good to be productive.
When I’m finished, I pull out my phone to text back.
Porter
See you soon
I lock my screen then head into the living room. Josie is digging through the fridge with wet hair and an oversized hoodie.
“He’s coming over,” I warn her, knowing Josie will know exactly who I’m talking about without me even saying his name.
She slams the fridge door shut and turns around, a massive grin on her face. “Oh? And what are you two doing together?”
“Watching a movie, I guess. It was his idea. He invited himself over.”
“Mmm,” she hums, immediately suspicious and delighted. “Very normal platonic thing to do.”
“Ugh,” I groan. “Don’t remind me.”
I barely have time to mentally prepare before there’s a knock at the door. My heart does a stupid, annoying little skip, and I take a deep breath like that might fix it.
“I’ll get it,” I shout.
“Obviously.” Josie chuckles, already leaning against thecounter. I want to tell her to get out of here, but I can’t avoid her and Will in the same room forever, so I bite my tongue and open the door. Besides, this isn’t a date. We don’t need alone time.
Will is standing there in his lacrosse hoodie and black sweatpants, looking far too good for someone who I can only have innocent thoughts about.
“Hey,” he greets with a warm smile and perfect teeth that fit his face so well. He’s tall and muscular and a really good person. Ugh. It’s just the worst.
“Hey,” I parrot, stepping aside to let him in.
He follows me in, and then his eyes land on Josie who already looks amused. I don’t know what’s going to come out of her mouth, but I can already tell I’m not going to like it. I should’ve begged her to go to her room, promised to do the dishes for a month or something just to avoid whatever is about to happen.
“Oh,” he says, still cheerful. Not at all aware of my internal panic over how this conversation might go. “Hey, Josie.”
She straightens instantly, all charm and warmth for him. “Hi, Will. So good to see you again!”
