Chapter 14
Evie
When I get to my room, I grab the gift bag I bought from Walgreens when I picked up the canvas I printed off. Thankfully, the Walgreens is within walking distance. I put the bag together and drop it in my closet. I can’t wait to give it to Tessa tomorrow.
My phone dings, and I pick it up. It's a text from Jace.
Jace- are we still on for Saturday night?
I don’t answer right away. Instead, I set my phone on the desk.
I don’t know why I don’t answer immediately.
My thoughts drift to Zane and how kind he was to me, saying he would have waited all night for me.
I smile because he really is a nice guy.
I pull those thoughts back when I realize the direction they’re going and force myself to pick up my phone and respond to Jace’s text.
Me- yes
Me- looking forward to it
Jace- me too
Jace- wear something dressy
I lower my phone and groan. “I don’t have anything dressy.” Sam chooses that moment to walk into the room.
“Hey, I didn’t know you were back. I—” she takes in my outfit. Not wanting her to ask why I look like I went for a run in regular clothes, I redirect her.
“Jace wants me to wear something dressy.”
She blinks. “What? Wait, are you and Jace finally actually going on a date?” I can’t help but grin at her enthusiasm.
“Maybe.”
“When?”
“This Saturday night, but he wants me to wear something dressy. How dressy do you think he’s talking?”
“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t mean leggings,” she says pointedly.
I roll my eyes. “I know.”
“Do you own anything besides leggings?” she asks.
“Of course. I have jeans.”
It’s her turn to roll her eyes. “Come on. Let's raid my closet.”
I raise my eyebrows. “I don’t think that’s going to work.
” I’m trying to keep the horror off my face, but all I can imagine is wearing a tiny, black leather skirt and black boots.
“Don’t give me that look. We’ll find something.
” She starts pushing clothes aside in her closet. “Okay, let’s see what we’ve got.”
We spend the next hour trying on clothes. Who knew anybody could own this many clothes? “Turn around,” she says for at least the hundredth time tonight. I’ve given up trying to say what I like or don’t like. It doesn’t seem to matter. “I think this is the one,” she says.
I observe myself in the mirror, not sure that she’s right.
At least it’s not a miniskirt. I lost count of how many of those I tried on.
This black dress at least goes past midthigh; it’s the longest thing I’ve tried on.
It’s paired with her black leather jacket and black boots with heels.
I insisted on my own earrings and necklace.
She wasn’t too keen on it, but it helped soften my look.
..I think. It’s not anything I would wear on my own, but hopefully in this, at least I won’t embarrass myself or Jace when we show up somewhere nice.
I get nervous all over again for this date.
I wish I would have asked if we could just go somewhere simple for the first date. “What do you think?” I finally ask Sam.
She shrugs. “It’s not the dress I would wear; I would show off more leg.” She winks at me. “But I think it will work for you.”
“Do you think it’s too tight?” I ask, turning to look at my backside in the mirror again.
“Honey, guys love tight clothes.”
That doesn’t really ease my concern, but I let it go. I’ve got studying to do. “Thanks for your help. Sorry we destroyed your closet.”
“No problem.” I take off the outfit and carefully hang it all up, so it’s ready for Saturday night and then help her clean up. After that, it’s back to studying.
The next morning, I knock on Tessa and Stephanie’s door bright and early.
“Go away,” Stephanie calls out, and I grin and open the door and start singing Happy Birthday in a not-so-quiet voice.
Tessa sits up in bed and grins at me, even as she pushes the hair out of her face.
I avoid the pillow Stepanie throws at me and walk over to Tessa’s bed.
“I have your present.”
Tessa’s eyes light up. “Really? What is it?”
“I can’t tell you, but you can open it.”
She’s wide awake now. She takes the bag and pulls out the tissue paper before she pulls out the picture. She stares at it so long, I begin to doubt myself. “Do you like it?” I ask quietly.
She blinks and looks up at me. “Like it? This is the best present I’ve ever received.
” She jumps out of bed and hugs me tight, almost knocking me over.
Laughing, I return her hug. “I can’t believe you got them all to sign it.
Even Reid?” She points to his signature, laughing.
I take in the #24, written in large numbers and then laugh at the tiny message scrawled next to it. The only real athlete on here.
I shake my head, still laughing. “I wonder if Zane saw that.”
“I’m sure he did. Speaking of Zane,” she says, giving me a saucy smile. “I have his signature and number on here.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Yeah, I know. I’m the one that asked him to do it. So?”
She just smiles. “Nothing.”
I shake my head. “There’s nothing between us.”
“Right.”
I can tell she doesn’t believe me, but I don’t waste my time trying to convince her. “Where do you want to eat today for lunch?” Her eyes widen. “I’m taking us out to lunch, and by out, I mean here on campus if that’s okay.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“It’s your birthday; of course, I do. So where do you want to eat?”
“I’ve been wanting to try that taco place. I could kill for some queso.”
“Okay, now I’m hungry. Have a great day, and I’ll meet you for lunch.”
“Sounds good.” She reaches out and surprises me by squeezing me tight. “Thanks for making my day so special,” she says softly.
I squeeze her right back. “You’re welcome.” I head towards the connecting bathroom. “See you for tacos at lunch.”
“I’ll be dreaming about tacos all morning,” she calls out after me, causing me to laugh.
I want to blame Tess for the fact that I have a hard time concentrating on my morning classes, but I’m pretty sure it’s all me.
Finally, it’s lunch time. I meet Tessa near the taco shop that always has a long line.
“Hey, Birthday Girl,” I call out loudly when I get close, causing more than one head to turn in our direction.
“Just remember, payback is coming. When’s your birthday?” she asks.
I grin at her. “You think I’m going to tell you after that threat?”
It takes a while to get to the front of the line, but it gives me time to figure out what to order.
I settle on Chicken Street Tacos and of course, chips and queso for us to share.
Tessa gets shrimp tacos, and I pay for our food.
We make our way to where we usually sit.
I’m surprised to see Jace and Sam already sitting there.
They don’t usually join us on Fridays. Sam looks up and smiles, waving me over.
I pause and turn to Tessa. “Do you mind if we sit with Jace and Sam? We don’t have to if you don’t want to. ”
“That’s fine.”
We head over to their table. Usually, I sit next to Sam and across from Jace, but I’m not going to make Tessa sit next to Jace. So, I take the seat there instead. “Hey,” he says, looking over at me.
“Hey, Jace. Sam.”
I settle at the table, taking the lid off the queso and sliding it in between Tessa and I. Sam eyes my food in surprise. “Tacos?”
“It’s Tessa’s birthday,” I explain.
“Happy Birthday,” Sam says before going back to her food.
“So, what’s it feel like to be a year older?” I ask Tessa.
“It doesn’t feel any different; it never does, does it?”
I shake my head. “I always feel the same from year to year.”
“Did Evie tell you we found the perfect outfit for your date tomorrow night?” Sam asks Jace.
Jace turns to me. “Yeah? Is it something different than leggings?” he asks with a smirk.
I glance down at my leggings and feel my face heat.
Sam laughs but winks when she meets my gaze.
“Yes. You’re going to love it, Jace. Right, Evie?
” I nod and then glance at Jace. I notice the black leather jacket that he’s wearing, that he always wears even when it’s hot.
I realize the outfit I’m going to wear Saturday night may not be my favorite, but he probably will like it.
I turn back to Tessa, but before I can talk to her, Jace taps my leg, surprising me.
“Are you looking forward to our date?”
“I would be looking forward to it a lot more if I knew what it was,” I try.
He shakes his head. “Nope. It’s a surprise.”
“I don’t really like surprises,” I tell him.
“Tough.”
“I love surprises,” Tessa says from across the table.
I turn to her. “Yeah?”
“What time are you picking Evie up?” Sam asks.
“Eight,” Jace answers.
“What time is your shift tomorrow?” she asks me.
“Noon to seven-thirty.”
“Just finish at seven,” she says. “That way you have time to get ready.”
I stare at her a moment. “I don’t need an hour to get ready.”
“You will,” she says. “Trust me.”
“But my shift is until seven-thirty. I don’t want to leave everybody short-handed.”
“They’ll be fine.” She waves her hand.
“I can help you get ready, if you want,” Tessa offers. That's huge coming from her because she knows the date is right in the middle of the football game.
“Thank y—”
“I’ll help her,” Sam interjects. “I’ve got just the hairstyle in store for her that will go with the outfit of mine she’s wearing.”
I meet Tessa’s eyes for just a moment. She smiles at me and goes back to eating, but I feel bad. The food I’ve already eaten settles like a rock in my stomach. I open my mouth to say something, but Sam beats me to it. “But you can come over, Tessa, if you want to watch.”
Tessa doesn’t lift her head, and I regret sitting here.
It’s Tessa’s birthday, and she’s barely had a chance to even talk.
She takes another bite and then wraps up her tacos before looking up at me.
“I’m going to get going. I’ve got a long walk to my next class.
Thanks so much for lunch; it was really good. ”
I start to pack up my food too. “I’ll walk with you.”
“No, your class is in the opposite direction. I'll catch you later.” She’s gone before I can even get up from the table. I watch her go as a sick feeling forms in my stomach.
“Evie, don’t forget to clean the fridge in the storage room during your shift tonight.” I nod at Sam’s words, not really paying attention. I watch Tessa get lost in the crowd and sigh. I feel like I blew lunch; we should have never sat here.
“Hey.” Jace puts his hand on my thigh, startling me. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” I pack up my leftover food quickly and turn away from him under the guise of grabbing my bag.
His hand falls from my leg, and I stand to my feet.
“Sam, I’ll see you at the shop tonight. Jace, I’ll see you tomorrow for our date.
” The words are forced from my mouth. That sick feeling grows as I walk away from them to my next class.
I’m beginning to dread tomorrow night. I really hope I don’t regret it.