“We have a game Saturday morning,” I remind him.
“So we’ll go Saturday night instead of Friday night, then we don’t have to worry about being tired the next day.”
I tap my pencil against my notebook. “It’s not the worst idea you’ve ever had. Did you already ask Evan and Roman?”
Tyler shakes his head. “Figured I’d ask you first because you’re always the hardest sell.” I open my mouth to protest but he holds a hand up, shaking his head. “I didn’t say the biggest asshole, I said the hardest sell.”
I shrug. It’s a fair point.
“So you’re in?”
I don’t work Saturday because of the game. It could be fun, I guess. It’s at least something different to do like Tyler said. “Yeah, works for me.”
“Excellent.” Tyler pulls his phone out and not long afterward my phone lights up. I assume it’s him texting the guys so I ignore it.
Mr. Archer clears his throat and begins today’s lesson. About thirty minutes into class I sneak a peek at my phone. What the hell? I’ve got over thirty missed text notifications. I unlock my phone and pull up my messages and—that little shit. He didn’t just ask Evan and Roman. Oh no, of course not. All these missed texts are from a group chat Tyler just created with eleven people: Evan, Roman, Dacen, Evie, Noah, Trisley, Dani, Matt, Lucy, me, and him. I flick him on the back of the neck. He knocks my hand away but otherwise ignores me until class is over.
As soon as Mr. Archer finishes going over tonight’s homework assignment and turns off the projector, I pounce. “What is this?” I demand, shoving my phone in Tyler’s face as he packs up his backpack.
He glances at it. “That’s called a cellphone, moron.”
I’m in no mood for jokes. I wave my phone. “I’m talking about what’s on the screen.”
He glances again and turns away to hide his smirk. “I figured a big group would be more fun.”
Fun? This is starting to sound less like fun and more like torture. Going to this thing with the guys is cool. We like old scary movies and get a kick out of watching other people lose their shit at the jumpy parts. But you bring other people into the mix and it starts to have a whole different vibe. I sort through the names in my head quickly. I mean, there would be some odd pairings and one leftover, but overall it starts to feel more couple-like with this expanded group. I push down the small flare of interest that flickers in my gut at the prospect because hell no, and focus on how I’d like to throttle Tyler.
He sweeps his eyes over my face and down my body. “What’s with the tension? It’s just a group of people watching some movies.”
I grumble and stand up, swinging my backpack over my shoulder. We head out the door for last period. “Fine.”
He side-eyes me as we walk down the hall. “However.” And here comes the other shoe, about to drop and kick me in the ass. “It’s only Tuesday,” Tyler continues. “So you’ve got time to work up enough balls to ask him before this weekend.”
“To ask who what, exactly?” We pause at the end of the hallway. Tyler needs to go left and I need to go right.
“To ask Dacen to sit beside you at the movies. God, this is like the fifties or something. You can ask him to go steady next.”
My face twists into a snarl. “I am not asking him that. And I don’t date. I’m not having this conversation again.”
Tyler checks the time on his phone. “Just give it some thought. Gotta go or we’ll be late. I’ll see you at practice.”
He starts to walk away and I call out after him, “I’m so tempted to use a veto, Ty.”
He pivots on one heel and stalks back over to me like some angry mama bear, and gets in my personal space. “Don’t you even think about it, Ryne. I will veto your fucking veto.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Try me.”
“Why are you pushing so hard on all this?” I sigh and rub my forehead.
He shakes his head and points to his chest. “All I’ve done is find us something to do Saturday night and give you a little extra suggestion.” He jabs his finger in my chest now. “You’re the one trying to pull the covers over your head and hide.”
I pull myself up to my full height. We eyeball each other for a good ten seconds and then my chest deflates. I don’t want to get into an argument with him. This is exhausting and stupid. “I’ll go, but I’m not doing that other shit.”
* * *
Saturday eveningI pull into a parking space next to Evan’s truck. “Is everyone else already here?” I jump out of my truck. He grimaces but nods. It’s not a normal Evan expression. My suspicion radar is pinging. “What’s wrong?”
