Chapter 8
Cricket Jenkins
“Are you sure you’re okay now?” I ask Micah for the third time. We’re on the couch in his family room while Tobias and Kiki finish washing the dinner dishes. Skyler is playing with Barbies on the floor in front of us.
“Yes.” He squeezes my hands, his gray eyes showing sincerity.
My heart flutters at his touch and the intensity of his gaze.
“You were a massive help.” He sighs. “I’m fine now. All the people went home. We’re good here.”
“Okay. Come over tomorrow and I’ll help you with your socials. I’m sure they’ve blown up.”
Micah groans and closes his eyes. “I don’t even want to look.”
“Good idea. Don’t look. I’ll deal with it tomorrow.”
He pulls me into a hug. “Thanks, Jiminy.”
I say goodbye and leave. As I walk the two houses down to my parents’ house, my phone vibrates.
I go to pull my phone out of my pocket and realize I’m still wearing Micah’s jacket.
I snuggle deeper into it and pull the collar to my nose.
It smells of sandalwood and warm spice—like Micah—and it makes my insides tingle.
Micah kissed me. Again. Not my lips, but he kissed my cheeks. I practically died and went to heaven. I have no idea how I would handle his lips on mine. It’s probably a good thing he didn’t kiss me for real. I might not have lived through it.
I check my phone screen, expecting it to be Micah sending me something silly, but it’s River. My heart sinks. Oh. River. I totally forgot about him.
Hey, it was fun hanging out with you and Micah today. But I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind going out with me, just the two of us? You know, like a date?
As I contemplate what to say back to him, another text comes in.
Sorry if I’m coming on too strong. I like you, Cricket. And I kind of felt like we had something going today.
I bite my lower lip. River is a nice guy. And I did have fun with him today. Micah doesn’t feel that way about me. I should be allowed to go find someone who adores me like Mr. Darcy.
I text him back.
I would love to go on a date with you.
Great! How about tomorrow evening? I could pick you up around six.
I unlock my front door and slip inside, grateful my parents are still touring Asia. The house feels nice and quiet after all the chaos at Micah’s. I answer River.
That sounds perfect.
Any preferences for where we go?
I kick off my sandals and head upstairs, still wrapped in Micah’s jacket. I should probably give it back to him, but not tonight. Tonight, I want to keep it.
Surprise me. I’m pretty easygoing.
I like that about you. You’re not high maintenance like most women I’ve dated.
I frown slightly at that comment but shake it off. He’s probably trying to give me a compliment.
Thanks, I think?
I add a smiley face to that so he knows I’m kidding.
It’s a good thing, I promise. So, tell me something about yourself that I don’t know yet.
I step into my bedroom and think about how to respond. What do I tell him? That I’m secretly in love with my best friend? That I’d do anything to be near him, even volunteer to be his manager? I shake my head.
I’m majoring in marketing, but I really want to be a novelist someday.
That’s cool. What kind of novels?
I start getting ready for bed. I set my phone down to brush my teeth then pick it up again to respond.
Romance. I’m writing one now set in a small town about two people who have known each other forever, but one doesn’t realize they’re perfect for each other.
Like enemies to lovers?
More like friends to lovers. She’s been right there all along, but he’s too blind to see it.
I realize what I typed and quickly send another text.
Sorry, that probably sounds cheesy.
Not at all. It sounds romantic. Maybe you’d let me read it?
My heart stops. It’s sweet that he’s interested. Micah’s never asked to read anything I’ve written.
Maybe. I keep my answer noncommittal.
What’s your favorite book?
Pride and Prejudice. I’ve read it about a million times.
I should have guessed that, given our discussion yesterday. What’s your favorite non-Jane Austen book?
I have to think about that. I love everything written by Michelle Pennington.
Ooh, name your favorite.
That’s a hard one. Probably A Man Worth Shaving For. It’s hilarious.
I change into my pajamas—an old T-shirt that might actually be one of Micah’s from high school—and climb into bed. I pull his jacket over me and sniff it again.
Great. I’ll read it.
I stare at my phone. That’s so sweet. Micah would never do that. I cringe. Why do I keep comparing River to Micah? I must stop that. I like River. I repeat it in my head several more times before texting him back.
What about you? Any hobbies besides acting?
I like making videos and hiking. And I collect vintage movie posters.
That’s really cool.
What do you do for fun? Besides reading.
I pause, trying to think of something interesting to say. The truth is, most of my free time is spent with Micah. Watching movies with Micah. Helping him with his YouTube channel. Just being around Micah. Gah, I need a life.
I like movies and music. I think I told you Micah has a YouTube channel. I help him with that sometimes. He’s actually a really good musician.
That’s an understatement, proven by the crowd outside of his house this evening. Kiki said his latest video has blown up. I switch over to YouTube to check on it. Kiki was right. It’s got five and a half million views, and the likes are going up even as I stare at my screen.
Another text from River pulls me away from YouTube.
That’s nice that you’re so supportive of your friend’s dreams.
He’s really talented. I think he’s going to be super famous someday. He actually had fans outside of his house today.
Wow. Good for him. And you’re a good friend to him. It’s rare to find people who believe in their friends like that.
I stare at my phone, feeling a strange emptiness in my chest. River is saying all the right things. He’s complimentary and sweet and genuinely seems interested in getting to know me. So why am I still clutching Micah’s jacket?
I should probably get some sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be a busy day.
Of course. Sleep tight. I’m really looking forward to our date tomorrow.
Me too. Goodnight.
I set my phone on my nightstand and lie back against my pillows, pulling Micah’s jacket tighter around me. River is perfect on paper. He’s handsome, successful, charming. He actually wants to date me, which is more than I can say for a certain gray-eyed musician.
But as I close my eyes, it’s not River’s face I see. It’s Micah’s. The way he looked at me when I helped him through his panic attack. The way his eyes crinkled when he smiled at me. The way his lips felt on my cheeks, so soft and warm and perfect.
I shake away the image of Micah. I should get excited about my date tomorrow. River is really sweet. I could really grow to like him a lot. I need to focus on him and stop obsessing over Micah.
My phone buzzes, and my heart leaps. I’m hoping it’s Micah. Maybe he couldn’t sleep either. Maybe he’s thinking about me the way I’m thinking about him.
I grab my phone and see Micah’s name on the screen. My pulse quickens.
Hey. I know it’s late, but I couldn’t sleep.
I keep thinking about today and how you helped me get through that crowd.
You were amazing, Cricket. I don’t know what I would have done without you.
You always know exactly what to say and do to make me feel safe.
Thank you for being the best friend a guy could ask for.
I’m really lucky to have you in my life.
My heart soars and breaks at the same time. He’s thinking about me. He appreciates me.
The best friend a guy could ask for.
I stare at the text until my eyes blur with tears. This is why I need to date River. Because I need to stop liking someone who will never see me as anything more than his faithful sidekick.
I type back through my tears.
You don’t have to thank me. I’ll always be here for you. That’s what friends are for. Sweet dreams.
I hit send and immediately want to take it back. I want to tell him how I really feel. I want to ask him why he kissed my cheeks. I want to know if there’s any part of him that might see me as more than his best friend.
But I don’t. Because losing Micah’s friendship would be worse than never having his love.
I pull his jacket up to my face and breathe in his scent, letting myself cry quietly. Tomorrow, I’ll go on a date with River Stone and pretend my heart isn’t completely owned by the boy next door who will never love me back.
But tonight, I’ll let myself dream about what it would be like if that last text had been Micah asking me on a date instead of thanking me for being such a good friend.