Page 28 of The Has-Been

June utters, “I was just as surprised when she suggested it to me. But she is a genius, so are we really that amazed?”

Reese rolls her eyes, grinning. “This year is going to be different.” She repeats the words we promised to each other at the beginning of the year. “I think it’s time to start making some changes,” she adds softly.

My shoulders sag.

I scroll through the app, running my tongue over my teeth as I set my phone on my bed. I turn to look at her. “You know, you keep saying that—but when are you going to listen to your own advice?”

June snaps her fingers dramatically, tossing her hair off her shoulder with the movement.

“I’m going out for Halloween. Isn’t that some rite of passage for all college students? How’s that for different?” Reese counters.

I suppose it’s a start…I’ll give her that.

My eyes find June, who nods, confirming what Reese said to be true. Halloween isn’t for another two weeks, but it’s June’s favorite holiday, so I’m not surprised she already has plans made.

“Okay, I’ll do it…under one condition.” I chuckle, pleased with myself for coming up with this idea so quickly. “You—” I mumble, pointing a finger at Reese.

And I drop the evil details of our barter.

A little tit for tat, if you will. If I have to put myself out there again, so does she.

We go back and forth, Reese not budging.

“She has a date at seven,” June says, looking to Reese. “She’s got to start getting ready…like yesterday.” She steals a glance at me, specifically my greasy, knotted hair. “So, is it a deal or not?” June anxiously looks back and forth until⁠—

Reese folds, a reluctant tone lacing her words. “Alright, fine. I’ll do it.”

June gives me a high five, her smile spreading from her own features to mine as I announce, “I guess I’d better get ready.”

“And please,” Reese murmurs shyly, “make sure he’s not shorter than me. I get some girls are confident enough to be okay with that⁠—”

June cuts her off, her dry tone evident as she mundanely lists, “Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. We know all your rules. No athletes. Blonde hair. Doctorate degree. Brown eyes. Six-four⁠—”

“AT A MINIMUM,” I joke, grasping my chest in shock, like I’m appalled by the idea of Reese being with someone even an inch shorter.

June and I laugh as we watch Reese’s face go red.

Reese is always super picky about who she dates, which is typically no one. She has this long list of requirements, and if they don’t meet even one of them…she’s out. Reese isn’t shallow, and I know the list is one of impossible expectations that no man will ever meet, so she’ll always have an excuse as to why she can’t go out with them.

June immediately begins rambling about my date, pulling me back to my own problems. But Reese agreeing to my terms to also go on a date makes it worth it, no matter how nervous I might be.

June comments, “We picked out your outfit and confirmed with some friends that the guy isn’t a creeper or anything.”

I hear Rory yell from downstairs, clearly still eavesdropping and being invested since the hostility is over. “He’s soo fucking hot!”

My cousins giggle as I take a deep breath. I always knew this day would come.

I can’t wait my entire life for Liam to wake up and realize what happened, why I did what I had to.

“Alright. Let’s do this,” I blurt before I lose my nerve.

“Rory! It’s a go!” June screams.

Reese’s face beams as she stands, pulling me in a hug. “You got this,” she encourages before retreating to her own room. Of course, she is the mastermind, and June and Rory are her minions, executing the plan.

“I’ve got the shower going!” Rory shouts from downstairs. “Operation go-get-laid is underway!”

I frown, facing June. I open my mouth to argue, but she shakes her head and drags me down the stairs. The pair quickly push me into June’s shower as they give me explicit details.