Page 29 of The Has-Been

Apparently, I need an everything shower, which includes—but isn’t limited to—shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, shaving (everything), exfoliating salts, shower gel, followed by lotion and oil after I step out.

I can’t help but wonder if June really does all this every time she showers. Then again, it would make sense, as it takes her two hours to get ready.

I don’t even have time to process all the details of tonight before June and Rory swirl around getting to work: June working on my hair as Rory starts my makeup.

By the time six o’clock rolls around, I don’t recognize myself.

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, my hands running through my blown-out curls.

“These will never hold,” I mention, but June shakes her head.

“It’s just a blowout,” she argues, like I know the difference. “It’s supposed to fall out and look all slutty.” She giggles. “Not that you are a slut—you get it…” she stammers.

“I can’t—” I look at them, shaking my head.

I glance at Rory, who looks like she’s a moment away from choking the air right out of me. I can’t blame her, though. She did spend an hour on my makeup and somehow managed to make me look hot. That’s no easy task. Like I always say: “Hometown good looks.” Definitely not hot.

Rory is a talented artist, though, so makeup is just paint to her. My face is her blank canvas, the final product her masterpiece.

“I can’t—sleep with him, whoever this him is,” I argue.

But to my absolute surprise, it’s Reese who enters the room and says, “Oh, yes, you can.” She eyes me in a way that has me gulping down my nervousness. “You don’t have to marry the guy! Just about finding...”

Rory sticks her tongue out at her older sister. “Release, baby,” she says with a wink.

“Exactly,” June and Reese declare at the same time. They do that a lot—say the exact same thing at the exact same time.

I take one last look in the mirror. What if Liam sees me? I think.

But I shake my head. No, the woman staring back at me isn’t one I recognize. Isn’t one he would recognize either.

Time has a way of changing people, and I’ve waited a long time for him to change.

I’m done waiting.

“He’d better be hot,” I mumble at last.

Rory grins from ear to ear, and I know without a doubt that he is.

I’m going to commit murder tonight.

As soon as this date ends...June, Reese, and Rory Vaughn are as good as dead.

Why? Because they didn’t set me up with just any good-looking guy on campus. They set me up with Delleth’s captain of the football team.

Noah fucking Pierce.

What in the actual hell were they thinking? I mean, it was no wonder we matched online—he matches with anyone…literally.

We’ve been at Lover’s Burgers, a low-key burger joint frequented by many students.

I tried like hell to convince him to take me anywhere else, but I failed. It’s not that I don’t like this place; it’s actually my favorite restaurant. It’s just that I’m disgustingly overdressed for a takeout place with peanut shells discarded everywhere. Also, considering that this is mine and Liam’s place—was mine and Liam’s place. We used to get takeout here nearly every week. We both loved it.

Now, years later, I’m curled in a small booth, watching students come and go through the door, each eyeing me, clearly judging me for being Noah’s plaything of the day—quite the change.

He asks me a question. I can hear his voice, but my mind is a million miles away.

“Sorry,” I say, forcing my attention to him.