Chapter 12 #2
“Ace,” she says gently. “I know it’s tough, watching her like this now that you’ve realized.
But please, take it from me, you’ll get a lot further being supportive than being annoying.
Drew’s just a phase. Just some guy to occupy her time.
But if you’re there, steady and compassionate and a good ear when she needs one, she’ll realize that you have all the qualities he doesn’t. ”
Shit. Her words hit me square in the chest.
“Thanks, Scottie. Really. I… Just hearing you say that helps. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry I’ve involved you two,” I apologize.
“You’re sweet friends, who just thought you were joining me for a party tonight, and here you are, playing super-secret spy from the bushes.
So, I’ll just watch here a little longer and then head home.
I’m close, you know? But if you two want to go do something else—something more worthwhile, I understand. ”
Finn’s eyes narrow as he sighs. It’s the double-double bullshit, you’re in trouble meter in his head going off with bells and whistles and alarms. “You’re going over there as soon as we leave, aren’t you?”
“What? Finn? Please. I’m giving you my word.
” I know it’s childish, but you can bet your ass my fingers are motherfucking crossed behind my back.
“You don’t trust my word?” The real problem is that I’ve trained him to understand me too well—forced him into the recesses of my psyche as a method of trauma bonding the two of us.
“No. Not even as far as I can throw you, and you’re a big motherfucker so I don’t imagine I’d get you that far.”
“Maybe we should stay, Finn,” Scottie hedges, watching me with skepticism.
“No, babe,” my best buddy says gently. “Once Ace’s crazy horse is out of the barn, there’s no containing it. We’re going to go have a late dinner and head home. Ace is going to do what Ace is going to do, even if going over there is the biggest dumb fucking move he could make.”
He’s probably right. Maybe I shouldn’t go over there.
My eyes jump back to Julia and Drew. She laughs, and my chest squeezes.
Or maybe I should. Maybe I need to find a way to stop this before she gets in too deep with this fucker.
I swallow hard against the burning pain in my chest and look back at Scottie and Finn, handing her my phone. “Before you head out, could you check to see if my DoorDash guy is coming?”
Scottie’s jaw drops. “You ordered food here?”
“I was hungry,” I answer with a shrug. I’m not going to crouch in a bush for hours on an empty stomach, you know? I’m not a savage.
Finn blinks. “What did you even order?”
“Just some lobster rolls and a Coke.”
He shakes his head like I’ve personally offended his ancestors. “You’re fucking gone, man.”
But I can barely hear him over the ringing in my ears as I go back to watching Julia through the bushes.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I hiss, pointing toward the stupid picnic blanket scene.
“He’s brushing her hair behind her ear. I swear to God, if he kisses her, I’ll throw this entire bush at him. ”
Scottie puts a hand on my shoulder, gently but firmly, before holding my phone out to me over it. “Ace. You’re spiraling. I know you love her. I know this hurts. But you’ve gotta play the long game. Be the guy who’s always there, not the one hiding in shrubbery with shellfish.”
Finn nods. “Yeah. You jump out of these bushes, you’re not the knight in shining armor. You’re the weirdo with leaves in your hair and lobster breath.”
I sigh, my eyes locked on Julia like she’s the sun and I’m a moth with no concept of fire. “I just… I don’t get it. What does she even see in him? I mean, he’s beige, like if khakis became a person. His biggest personality trait is being present.”
Finn raises an eyebrow. “That’s a little rich coming from a guy who will be living across the hall from her now because of a secret plot to always be present.”
I didn’t even give Finn that information, but it’s obvious he’s put all the pieces of my win-Julia’s-heart puzzle together. The sage bastard.
“I’m not saying I’m not unwell, Finn. I’m just saying Julia deserves someone with depth. With passion. With—”
“An arrest record for stalking?” Finn cuts in.
“Listen. I know I’m a little off the deep end right now, but I can’t help it. I’ve been in love with that girl since she used to share her Fruit by the Foot with me in kindergarten. It just took me a while to figure it out.”
Scottie’s expression softens. “You’re not wrong for loving her. Just…don’t let it make you the villain.”
I sigh, the weight of my own madness settling in. “You guys can go. I’ll hang here for a bit, let the agony marinate, and then go home.”
Finn narrows his eyes. “Don’t go over there after we leave.”
“I won’t.”
“Don’t lie to me. I know that look. That’s the ‘I’m about to crash a date and call it fate’ look.”
I raise my hands. “Swear on the lobster rolls.”
Finn looks at Scottie, then back to me. “We’re actually leaving this time. But I swear to God, Ace, do not go over there.”
“I won’t.” Probably.
Scottie sighs. “Ace.”
“You’re right. You’re right. I’ll leave soon.
I promise. Talk to you guys later.” I say with a wave of my hand, not even looking at them as they start to move away.
A Frisbee match has started up on the lawn on the other side of Julia and Drew, and I bet if I sweet-talk the guys playing, I can join in to get a better vantage point.
For now, my obsession reigns supreme.
They start to move away, and I watch them go, my eyes drifting back to Julia as she laughs at something Drew says. My chest squeezes like I’m the one under a microscope and not the one hiding in shrubbery.
But before Finn and Scottie disappear completely down the trail, I whisper after them, “Hey, on the Fourth…you guys are gonna hype me up, right?”
“Oh yeah, man.” Finn doesn’t even turn around. “I’ve got red, white, and blue body glitter with your name on it.”
Scottie lifts a hand. “We believe in you. But, like, go home, Ace. Seriously, go home.”
I don’t answer. I just turn back toward the girl I can’t seem to stop chasing.
“DoorDash for…Acer?” a voice whispers behind me.
I grin. It’s a confession written in buttered seafood and soda.
Clearly, I have no current plans of leaving anytime soon.