Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
OPERATION GET EZRA THE GIRL
KEN DOLL: Z, when were you going to tell us you had a date with Ms. Brady today?
ME: I didn’t have a date with her.
KEN DOLL: uhhhhhh, looked like one. You two were pretty cozy this afternoon.
ME: How the hell do you know?
MACKEY: I saw you at the deli. And going to the elevator.
ME: What? You were there? Why didn’t you say anything?
KEN DOLL: He didn’t want to interrupt your date.
ME: IT WASN’T A DATE.
ME: It was two friends having lunch. That’s it. She needed to get some things off her chest.
KEN DOLL: Oooo, boy trouble?
EZRA: …
WEBBY: That’s not a no.
CAP: It’s not a yes, either.
MACKEY: If it were a no, he would have said so. Avoidance is an answer.
KEN DOLL: You’re so right, Mackey.
ME: I’m not going to betray her trust. Just drop it.
ME: And change this stupid group chat name. Things aren’t like that with Sutton.
*KEN DOLL HAS CHANGED THE NAME OF THE GROUP TO ‘HELP Z FIND HIS BALLS TO ASK OUT SUTTON’*
ME: I hate you.
KEN DOLL: No you don’t.
“So… you finally ready to tell me what happened Sunday? Or last night?” Kendall asks as we walk into the smoothie place.
Today’s practice was brutal, and my mind wasn’t fully in it because I was too distracted by what happened yesterday and Sunday. I missed a lot of easy passes and tackles, and Kendall could tell something was wrong. He insisted on getting smoothies after practice to let me vent.
I trust him with my life, but I can’t exactly spill Sutton’s secrets to him. She trusted me enough to confide in me, and I refuse to break that trust, but I need to talk out my own shit.
Which is why I agreed to talk to Kendall today. I need to get everything off my chest so I don’t dampen her light with my moodiness. Kendall and I sit down with our smoothies, and the words burst out of me before I can stop them. “I saw Sutton in lingerie.”
My best friend chokes on the liquid in his mouth, sputtering and coughing as his face turns red. “What? When? How?”
I take a sip of my smoothie and a steadying breath, lowering my voice so no one else can hear, even if there’s only three other people. “I went over Sunday afternoon to ask if she wanted to hang out, and she opened the door wearing lingerie.”
“Hot damn, lucky you.” He holds his hand out for a high five. I scowl at it.
“It wasn’t like that,” I grumble. “She thought I was her friend coming back for her wallet. She slammed the door in my face like, five seconds after she opened it and put on a robe, which honestly didn’t even help since I already knew what was underneath it.”
“Okay… so you’ve got blue balls. Is that why you’re in a shitty mood?”
I think back to the look of devastation and embarrassment on her face on Sunday, telling me all about her past relationship and what she wants now. I can’t tell Kendall that, so I shake my head. “No. I don’t—”
“Don’t fucking tell me you don’t see Sutton in that way again, Ezra. I’m your best friend, stop lying to me.”
“Fine. I can’t tell you what we talked about because she told me that in confidence, but we went to lunch after, then just walked around the park talking. She needed to get her mind off some shit and—”
“Your simpy ass just wanted to spend time with her,” he interrupts.
“Yes,” I admit begrudgingly. I won’t deny the simp part either. I know who I am, and it’s very clear to me that Sutton could ask for the rings on Saturn and I’d figure out a way to give them to her.
“I won’t ask for details, then, but will you tell me what happened yesterday? Don’t think I didn’t notice you stress cleaning last night when Missy and Claire left.”
“Misty and Clara.”
“Right, that’s what I said, continue.” Kendall takes a sip of his smoothie and motions for me to continue talking.
“Her ex was waiting for her when we left the studio.”
“Oh shit,” he whispers, eyes wide.
“Yeah. That half-brained piece of shit insulted her, and then said he wanted her back. So I… may have told him we were dating. Then Sutton accidentally let it slip that I play for the team she is working for now.”
“Oh boy,” Kendall whistles.
“Yeah. He may have also said some shitty stuff about her only being with me because it’s a phase, and implied I’m not good enough for her.” I say the last part in a rush of words, hoping he doesn’t focus too much on them.
“Well fuck that guy all the way to hell. Anyone with any sense can clearly see you two are perfect for each other, but I may be a little biased. And also, oh my god, this is great news!”
“How the fuck is this great news?! I probably ruined our friendship. I touched her without her consent, and now her dickbag ex has info that could really screw us both over!”
Kendall is totally unaffected by my chagrined tone. “Did she pull away or seem like she was upset?”
“No, but—”
“Then don’t worry about it. Fake dating is the first step in showing her how great you can be as a real partner. I should give you Morgan’s number, since fake dating is how he and Hannah got together.”
“I’m not trying to show her that, though. I’m just trying to be her friend.”
“Well now you’re just lying to yourself. Let me help! Oh, I know! I can—”
“No.”
“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”
“I know you, though. Whatever scheme you’ve got cooking in your brain is not happening. I don’t want to accidentally hurt Sutton, or manipulate her into a relationship. She’s not looking for a boyfriend, anyway, and after meeting her ex, I can understand why.”
“Fine. But when you’re ready to admit your feelings for her, and try things my way, I’ll be charging for my advice.”
I scoff at his audacity.
There’s no way I’ll be asking him for advice, because I don’t need it. Besides, I can’t get my hopes up for anything, especially when it comes to her.
“Isn’t tonight your first pottery class?” Kendall asks, sipping the last of his smoothie. I’m only halfway done with mine, but I need to get home and change for class, so we head out of the store.
“Yeah…” We walk past a jewelry store window, and the sun glints off of a gold necklace. The gears in my mind start spinning, and I let myself give in to this wild idea. “Hold on. I need–I’m going to get something.” Kendall just smirks and follows me inside.