10. Unrequited #2
I rub soothing circles on her shoulders. “I’m sure you aren’t the first nor the last person to say that. And I’m sure it’s true until the next party.”
Jodie attempts to laugh, but she aborts mission mid-giggle. “Stop being funny. If I laugh, I’m gonna be sick again.”
“Where’s Talia?”
“She’s out.”
I’m disappointed. “What? Did she leave you alone in this state? Please don’t tell me she went back to the party.” I could see Gen doing that, not Tucker’s sister.
“No,” Jodie explains. “I couldn’t stop being sick, and I needed something to settle my stomach. I crave saltines, and since the dining hall is closed, Talia offered to go to the gas station we saw on our way into town to buy me some.”
“That’s nice of her. What about the bowl?” I ask pointing at the mixing bowl on the floor.
“Talia wanted me to lie on the bathroom floor just in case I was sick again. But I was so cold, I wanted to be in bed. She was worried I’d choke on my own vomit while she was away if I fell asleep. So she left the bowl in case I felt like vomiting again.”
That makes perfect sense. “How are you feeling now?”
“Like death warmed up.” She moans. “Where were you, Tar-Tar?”
I explain that I went to get the laundry.
“I’ve been here a while. What took you so long?”
“The dryers were almost done, so I waited.”
Jodie’s eyes descend from my face to my chest. “And did you have some help with the laundry?”
I realize I’m still wearing Nash’s hoodie. “Something like that.” I say, playing nervously with the zipper.
“Was it Tucker or Colsen?” She asks. “They both left the party early. Or was it Mack? He left too, after I made a complete ass of myself in front of everyone.”
The truth is on the tip of my tongue, but I hesitate.
I know Jodie feels like we should stay away from Nash in case he starts asking questions about our last night on campus, and this isn’t the time to worry her.
But I need to tell her about those messages.
Maybe she can help me figure out what’s going on.
Something Jodie just said, however, gives me pause. “Mack? Why would Mack give me his jacket?”
Jodie doesn’t look at me when she answers.
“It’s so obvious that he’s into you, Taryn.
And when I threw myself at him like a drunken, wanton idiot, he tried to let me down gently.
When I refused to take no for an answer, he admitted that he didn’t want to do anything with me because he was into someone else. ”
I brush Jodie’s hair away from her forehead again. “Maybe he told you that so you’d get the message. Or maybe he likes someone; I don’t know. But it isn’t me, Jo. I promise you that. I like Mack, and we care about each other, but it’s completely platonic.”
My best friend doesn’t look convinced. “Really? You don’t think Mack is hot?”
“I didn’t say that.” I sigh. “Mack is one of the most handsome men I’ve seen lately.
And he’s really caring under that cocky attitude.
He reminds me of Tucker in many ways. But I don’t feel anything for him other than friendship.
There’s no attraction, no spark. And I can guarantee you that it’s one hundred percent mutual. We talked about it.”
Rather than being reassured by my words, Jodie’s eyes well with tears.
“If it isn’t you, then who? Do you think he wants to get back together with Gen? If that’s what he wants, then he’s an idiot.”
I sigh and scoot myself up more on the bed, pulling Jodie into my arms. “Babes, you’re like an icicle. Let me get you something warmer to put on.”
“No, please don’t leave me.” She whines.
“Hold on, this is quite warm.” I unzip Nash’s hoodie and help her into it. “Now come here.”
I take Jodie into my arms, and she nestles against me with her head on my chest. “Better?”
“Mhm.” Her eyes flutter closed, and tears begin flowing down her face.
“Jo-Jo, babes,” I say softly. “What’s up? Is this really because Mack doesn’t want to hook up with you? You barely know him.”
A sob wrecks her body, and she shakes her head. Jodie is pale as a sheet of paper.
“Do you feel sick again? Do you need the bowl?”
She shakes her head, crying harder. “No. And I know I barely know Mack. This isn’t just him, it’s…”
She doesn’t need to say it. “You’re still reeling from the breakup with Andy.” It isn’t a question.
“I know I sound like an idiot. It has been more than four months; I should be over him. But I’m not. And I know how pathetic it sounds that I need male attention to feel validated. But when I hooked up with some of his frat brothers, that was the only thing that kept me from feeling miserable.”
“Jo-Jo.” I dry her tears with the pad of my thumb. “I get it. And believe me, Andy is lucky he’s in New York or wherever the fuck he is getting a job. Because I’m so mad at him that I could kill him.”
I’m so mad at him that I could chop his fucking head off.
My words startle both me and Jodie.
She wraps her arms around me, holding me tight. “I know you always have my back. You’re my ride or die. But let’s hold off on killing people, huh?” Her watery laugh dissipates some of the tension, but Jodie is still sad.
“Tar-Tar.” She says, suddenly serious. “Am I ugly?”
The question shocks me. “Ugly? What are you talking about, babes? You’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.
And I’m not saying that just because I love you.
You’re tall and slender. You have a delicate, beautiful face.
You move gracefully even when you aren’t dancing, and your smile lights up any room you’re in.
Any man would be lucky to catch your attention. ”
Rather than helping, my words have the opposite effect.
“Then why does Mack keep rejecting me? I offered him to be his fake girlfriend, and he said no. Tonight, I was pretty much twerking on his lap, and he stood up and asked me to stop. He wasn’t even hard.”
I stroke the hair at the nape of her neck, hoping to soothe her. “Maybe you aren’t his type. I know I’m not.”
“Not his type? He didn’t seem that hard to please. Since we got here, I’ve seen him hook up with anything with a pulse. From our teammates to a townie or two when we’ve been out. Blonds, brunettes, he doesn’t seem to mind. It must be something he doesn’t like about me.”
“Jo-Jo, I don’t think your looks are the problem.
Mack told me before that he isn’t looking for a relationship after his breakup with Gen.
That’s why he wouldn’t mess with anyone he has any kind of meaningful connection with.
For example, Talia is Tucker’s sister, and he knows he’d get his ass kicked if he touched her with less than honorable intentions.
And you’re my best friend. So he wouldn’t have a one-night stand with you for the same reason. ”
She stifles a smile. “So you’re cockblocking me?”
“Yeah, blame it on me.”
A crease forms between her perfectly shaped eyebrows. “No, seriously, Taryn. I’m really bummed that he doesn’t like me. I think he and I would be perfect together. Is having a decent boyfriend too much to ask? I’m a relationship person. I miss having someone who’s my other half.”
“I know, Jo. But that’s why it’s better that Mack is doing the right thing. He’s on the rebound just like you were for a while after Andy. He would break your heart. I know the right guy is out there for you, and you’ll meet him soon. Until then, I’m your other half, ok?”
We shift so that we’re spooning. Jodie wraps her arms around me from behind this time. “I know. I love you, Tar-Tar.”
I have no hesitation in saying it back. “I love you too, Jo-Jo.”
As sleep takes us under, I know that she isn’t only my best friend. She’s my safe place.