Chapter 11
DANI
“No way, that’s crazy!” Charli argues, lightly slapping Nix with the back of her hand. “Girl, estás loca!” She rattles off a few more things in Spanish that I don’t understand, and Nix rolls her eyes.
Lunches with Nix and her college buddies are always entertaining, that’s for sure. We’re currently sitting at a table in the sunshine while Nix bickers with Charli—her best friend since freshman year—about Charli’s brother, Darian, currently a junior on the Nolan U Cougars basketball team.
“I’m telling you. It happened.”
“I don’t believe you.” Charli shakes her head, and I glance at Jolie, who got roped into this friend group at the end of last year. She’s sitting across from me, stifling a giggle with her hand. “My brother may be a womanizing pig sometimes, but he’s not a full-blown asshole.”
Nix scoffs. “A womanizing pig is the definition of an asshole.”
“He can be sweet sometimes,” Jolie murmurs. “He was really nice to Nylah that night. Do you remember? When he took her to the winter dance?”
“Okay, fine. So he lost his head for one night and behaved like a decent human being, but for the other 364 days of the year, he is all pig with no redeeming qualities.”
Charli can’t help a short laugh. “Why are you so hard on him?”
“Because he told me I had a monobrow, then attacked me with a pair of tweezers.”
“He was joking.” Charli snorts. “To be honest, he was probably just using it as an excuse to touch you or something. That boy thinks you’re hot.”
“That boy can’t stand me either,” Nix bites back. “And as if I would ever let him put one of those dirty little fingers on me.”
Now Charli’s the one rolling her eyes. “You know his eyebrow has never grown back the same.”
Nix raises her chin, sniffing the air imperiously. “Serves him right for trying to pluck mine.”
“Yeah, but did you have to shave the entire thing off?”
“I would have shaved both of them if he hadn’t woken up.”
Jolie giggles. “And found you straddling him. He must have thought he’d woken up in heaven.”
“Until he figured out what she did, and all hell broke loose.” Charli winces.
Nix puffs out her chest with a triumphant grin. “I mean, I know he’s told me I’m not allowed to come within three feet of him again, but I swear it was worth it.”
I grin, glancing around the table and almost wishing I was part of this shared history. Nix and Charli are both sophomores now, and Jolie came along when she started dating one of Charli’s roommates. He plays basketball too, and I think his name is… Ben? That sounds right.
A lot of names get thrown around when I meet up with these girls, and it’s hard to keep track of them all.
All I do know is that Nix hates Charli’s brother, which is a shame, because Charli and Darian are obviously tight.
It must be really awkward for Charli being caught in the middle like that.
Though now that Nix is all loved-up with a new boyfriend, she’s not hanging out with Charli as much, so I think it’s relieved some of the tension.
Darian obviously doesn’t hold any warm feelings toward Nix either, and I can only imagine the intensity of their angst if they ever cross paths.
“Anyway, let’s talk about something else.” Charli picks up the other half of her chicken salad wrap and glances at me. “Heard your date bombed last night.”
My mouth pops open, and I throw Nix an accusing frown.
The little pixie raises her hands but doesn’t actually look that apologetic. “I’m sorry. She asked, and I spilled.”
“Why did you even tell her I was going out in the first place?”
“She’s my bestie.” Nix reaches across the table and grabs Charli’s wrist. “I tell her everything.”
“She does.” Charli nods, talking with her mouth full. “And she loves to spill the tea on her roommates, so… watch out.”
I narrow my eyes at Nix, who once again tries to justify her gossipy ways. “In fairness, your tea hasn’t been all that tasty until last night, so I mostly talk about Tobs and Jeddy.”
“I’m sure they would love to hear that.”
“Oh, they know.” Nix flicks her fingers through the air. “They don’t mind. And Charli’s super happy for them over the whole New York thing.”
“It sounds amazing.” Jolie’s eyes bulge. “Moving to the big city like that. Wow.” Her smile is pure excitement.
“See?” Nix points across the table. “I make people smile with my awesome news. Look how happy our Jo-Jo is, and she’s not even the one going.”
“Maybe one day.” Jolie grins. “Living in an apartment in Manhattan, maybe working for some high-flying paper or magazine company. Ben could play for the Knicks. It’d be amazing.”
Charli smiles at her. “Girl, you got it all planned. I’m vibing off this big-time. Just make sure you have a spare room in your apartment so I can come visit.”
“And me!” Nix raises her hand, and I can’t help teasing her.
“She can fly in on her fairy wings.” I laugh, knowing that’s exactly what Tobin would say.
Nix gives me a playful growl and lightly pinches my arm.
I grab her hand and laugh at her… until my phone buzzes with a text.
Flipping it over, I check the screen and can’t help an audible gasp.
“What is it?” Charli wipes her mouth with a paper napkin.
“Is everything okay?” Jolie leans forward, her blue eyes bright with concern.
“Uh… yeah. It’s just… um…” Huffing out a nervous breath, I unlock my screen and read the message again. “Tyrell said he’s found me a guy to go out with. Am I keen?”
“Really? Did he send a picture?” Jolie holds out her hand for the phone.
“No.” I shake my head while Charli frowns at her friend.
“Why would she need to see a picture? Looks shouldn’t matter. What’s he like as a person?”
I shrug, reading the next text. “Tyrell says he’s a super-friendly, nice guy who is a tutor… and he’s in Elizabeth Satchwell’s study group.” My nose wrinkles. “Do any of you guys know Elizabeth Satchwell?”
“Oh yeah. She’s a sweetheart.” Jolie bobs her head. “She’s dating Wily Wilson, who lives at Football Frat along with my roommate’s boyfriend, Carson.”
“Okay.” My forehead wrinkles. “So, do you think we can trust her opinion?”
Jolie keeps nodding as Nix reminds me, “You trust Tyrell. You told me that this morning, and if you trust him, then you have to believe that he wouldn’t set you up with a douchey guy.”
“She’s right.” Charli balls the napkin in her fist and shoots for the trash can on the edge of the courtyard. It goes in perfectly. “I don’t really know Tyrell, but he’s pretty respected at this school. You can trust him.”
“Yeah, I know.” I nod, a smile breaking over my face as another text comes through.
Black Jack: If you want, I can sit at another table in the restaurant. I’ve got your back, Dee. Always.
“What?” Nix nudges me. “Why’re you smiling?”
“He said he’ll sit at another table. Keep an eye on me throughout the date. If I want him too.”
“Awwww,” Jolie gushes. “That is so sweet and protective.”
“Ew. Or totally creepy.” Nix’s face wrinkles in disgust. “Stalker vibes!”
“No, it’s not.” Charli laughs at her friend. “It’ll be like having a bodyguard.” She starts jumping in her seat, getting all excited. “You’ll be like a celebrity.”
I hiss and rub my forehead. “I don’t know, you guys. Do I even want to do this?”
“Yes,” Nix says emphatically. “You want to put yourself out there again. You know you do. And sure, it’s scary, but if you want to avoid the whole gray hair, parakeet situation you were telling me about this morning, then you need to say yes to that text.
Here.” Grabbing the phone before I can stop her, Nix replies for me.
I cringe but don’t try snatching the phone back.
“There you go.” She grins, passing my device back. I check the screen to make sure she hasn’t been too embarrassing.
Me: Thanks, Ty. That’s so sweet of you. Okay, I’ll do it. Let me know the details.
He responds before I even set my phone back down, and my insides sizzle. “The guy’s name is Paul, and he’s free on Saturday.” I glance up at my tablemates. “Should I do it?”
“Yes!” all three girls say in unison.
“But make it a lunch.” Charli points at me. “Lunches seem more low pressure.”
“True.” Jolie nods, and then her phone alarm starts beeping. “Grrr. I have to get to my next class. But say yes to the offer of him watching over you. It’s not creepy, it’s sweet.” She gives Nix a pointed look.
Nix pokes out her tongue in disgust, then starts grinning at me. “I guess it is a sweet offer. If things go bad, he can step in or call you with an ‘emergency’ of some kind.” Her air quotes are cute, and I smile at her, picking up my phone again.
Me: And thanks for the offer of watching out for me, Black Jack. I’ll take you up on that too. Let Paul know I’m free for lunch on Saturday. I have an evening shift at Offside, so it’s the only meal I can do. It’s weird to go on a breakfast date, right?
Black Jack: Lunch it is. I’ll send you the time and place soon.
I send him back a thumbs-up emoji because I’m not sure how else to respond.
My nerves have suddenly gone into chaos, my jittery stomach making it impossible to finish my nachos.
“It could be great,” Nix murmurs, her smile kind.
“It’s going to be amazing.” Jolie tinkles her fingers through the air as she walks away. “Catch you guys later!”
“Byeee,” Charli calls after her, then checks the time. “I should head off in a minute too. I’ve got a study session in the library.”
Nix snorts. “You mean a make-out session with your boyfriend.”
Charli doesn’t say anything, but her bronze cheeks heat with color as she ignores the comment and glances at her. “You walking that way?”
“No, I’m going to enjoy this sunshine for a bit longer. I’ll see you later.”
“’Kay. Chao, chicas.”
“Bye.” I wave.
“Later, Chuck,” Nix calls after her.
Charli frowns and gives her the finger, making Nix laugh and throw one right back.
I grin and shake my head. “You two are funny.”
“What can I say, I adore that girl. She feels like the closest thing I’ll ever have to a sister.”
“Do you have any siblings?” I ask, suddenly realizing that I don’t know. I haven’t really spoken to her about her family before.
Nix clenches her jaw, sniffing and shaking her head before quickly changing the topic. “So, not to be overly girlish, but… what are you gonna wear for your date?”
I groan, dipping my chin and confessing, “I have no idea.”