This is crazy. I'm going crazy.
I double-click the browser, and it opens onto Google homepage. Where to take a girl for your second date, I type. I hit enter and my cell rings. I trap it between my ear and shoulder as I trawl through the search results.
“Yep?”
“Have you spoken to her yet?” Meggy asks.
“Yep. I waited outside her dorm block earlier.”
“I'm sorry? You did what?” She laughs. “You actually waited outside for her?”
“I wanted my answer. You know I'm impatient.” I click a link that looks promising.
“Okay. And what did she say?”
“She said yes. What, were you expecting her to say no?”
“I was fifty-fifty.” I know she's smirking, and I'd love to wipe it off her cheeky little face.
“She was always gonna say yes, Meggy. You know that.”
“Whatever. What are you doing now? Do you have anything planned for your big date?”
“I'm working on it,” I answer vaguely.
“That's a no.” She sighs. “Do you have any idea what you're doing?”
“If you'd be quiet for two minutes, I'd have ten.”
“Are you doing what I think you're doing?”
“It depends what you think I'm doing.”
“Braden William Carter, are you on Google?”
Shit. “Uh...”
She sighs heavily down the phone. “Go on. Hit me with what it says.”
“Okay.” I scroll down. “Dinner out, dinner in, a movie, the opera - the f**king opera? No chance. Okay, umm, a picnic, rollerskating, coffee - tried and failed - bowling. Bowling? That could work.”
“You could grab food at the alley,” Meggy suggests. “You'd have fun.”
“But would Maddie like that?”
“Are you actually asking me if she'd like it? Is Mr. Insatiable going soft?”
“Fuck off.” I laugh. “I don't get this dating thing and you know it. Help me out here.”
“Are you dating her to get in her pants, Bray?” She asks the question so fast I double-take.
Yes. “No. Why would you ask that?”
“Maybe I'm having a hard time believing you actually like her and want more than sex.”
That's because you're right. “I like her, Meggy. She's beautiful and smart and funny-”
“And you sound like a robot.”
“I'm trying here.”
“You've always been trying, Bray. So what are you gonna do?”
I sigh. “Bowling, walk on the beach, then if she wants we can head back here for the party.”
“Sounds good. Bye now.” She hangs up, the call clicking off in my ear. I sometimes wonder if I'd kill her if she wasn't like my little sister.
I dial up the bowling alley and ask for a lane for two on Friday night. The girl at the other end of the phone giggles when I give her my name, and I exhale slowly. Sometimes - and I'd never tell anyone this - the fawning girls gets a little old. I book the alley and hang up pronto.
I chuck my cell down, shut the laptop, and lean my head back against the wall. Date two? Sorted.
Chapter Nine - Maddie
I stare at my phone in disbelief. I left Brooklyn six weeks ago and now, only now, has my brother, Pearce, remembered me. This text message is the first time we've spoken since I came to Berkeley. Well, the first time he's spoken. I sent a text message when I got here to let him know I was safe, and then that was it. Until today.
I look again at my phone. I don't know why I expected any different from him. He would only get in contact if and when he wanted something. And like usual, it's money. I don't want to know what he wants it for, but judging by the fact he's asked for eight hundred dollars, I'd say its rent. All because his arrogant, selfish ass can't hold down a job long enough to support our suicidal father.
I rub my forehead and try to block out the memories, telling Pearce I'll call up the bank and wire the money to Dad's account. Not that it makes a difference. Pearce will use it on what he wants anyway, thinking of Dad second.
A wave of guilt crashes into me for leaving Dad, but I remind myself it's what he wanted, what she would have wanted for me. Pearce has always been too self-absorbed to make something of his life. I got the brains, and that's why she saved the money for me to access when I turned eighteen.
My college fund, she called it one day. Said she'd been saving since she knew I was coming, that she wanted me to have a good life. She'd been saving for Pearce too, but he bought a car and god knows what else. She'd be ashamed if she could see him now. She'd be so mad.
I squeeze my eyes shut, banishing those thoughts from my mind. Three years and the wound is still too fresh, too raw. The pain still trickles out the way blood trickles from a paper cut, but it's bearable. It's just a part of my life. Another part that I should have left behind when I left Brooklyn. But, like all good tragedies do, it's followed me.
I decide to skip out on going to the library for my free period, instead choosing to work from the safe bubble of my dorm. Plus, going to the library means bumping into Braden.
The Californian equivalent of my brother.
My thoughts fall to our 'date' tomorrow night. He must want in my pants really badly if he's still waiting. Usually he'll hang for half an hour - if you show your interest, good. If not, he's onto the next. Yep, you can't deny he doesn't mess around when it comes to his sex life. In fact, a part of me almost respects him for going after what he wants.
A part the size of my baby toe. The rest of me still thinks he's a pig.
I wonder what Mom would think if she knew I was doing this challenge. As an independent, strong woman, she'd probably be a little proud that I'm gonna put him in his place. As a mother, she'd warn me to be careful and not lose my own heart in the process. I snort at the idea. Lose my heart to Braden Carter?
Never going to happen.
~
“Casual,” Kay shouts from the bathroom.
“No, casual dressy,” Lila argues, shaking her head.
“Lila, they're bowling.” Megan huffs. “She needs to be casual yet comfy. I'd say a casual dress or a nice top and those tight jeans you have.”
“The ones that give my ass its own ass?” I raise a brow.
“Yes. We need to show him what's on offer.” She moves towards my drawers.
“Make me sound like a promotional display at Target, why don't you?” I roll my eyes. “Besides, I thought we were making him fall in love with me, not turn him into a walking erection.”
“The way to Braden's heart is through his dick.” She takes the jeans, shuts the drawer with her hip, and passes them to me. Kay roars with laughter and comes back into the room.