Was I?
And if I was it was only because my circumstances had made me that way.
“Do you know how many guys from school asked me out last year?” Flick asked, and I frowned, wondering what the hell that had to do with anything. “None, Hails. Not a single one.”
“So? That’s their loss, Flick. You’d be a catch—”
She shook her head, sadness washing over her. “You don’t get it.” Her walls slammed up and I hated it. We didn’t fight, ever. So I didn’t understand what was happening right now. “It doesn’t matter… forget I said anything.”
“No, wait.” I laid my hand on hers. “Tell me. I’m your best friend, I want to know.” I thought I did know everything about her, but obviously I was wrong.
Screwing her eyes tight, Flick sucked in a shaky breath. When she opened them again, fixing her soft green irises on me, my stomach sank, and I knew I wasn’t going to like whatever she was about to say.
“It’s you,” she said flatly.
“Me?” I choked out, feeling like she’d ripped the rug out from under me, my stomach plummeting into my toes.
“Yes… no.” She grimaced. “That came out wrong.”
Me?
I was the reason guys didn’t ask her out? That made no sense because they didn’t ask me either. And it had never mattered before. We hung out with guys all the time at The Alley.
“I don’t know what you… oh.” The truth was written all over her face, I just hadn’t wanted to see it.
“Yeah, oh.” Flick gave me a weak smile. “You’re off-limits, Hails, you know you are. No one will look at you because they’re scared of—?
??
“Jason.”
She nodded. “And I’m your best friend. Getting close to me would be like getting close to you and that would be too much of a risk.”
“You’re not a fucking risk, Flick,” I said feeling my irritation levels rise. “Do you really want to go out with some douche who lets my step-brother dictate who he can and can’t date?”
“No, I don’t. But that isn’t the point…” She left the words hanging.
“So what is the point?”
“I want to date, goddamn it, Hails. I want to go to Homecoming and Winter Formal. I want to go to Prom.”
“Y- you do?” I sank back in my chair, the weight of her confession winding me.
“I love you; you know I do. But being your best friend isn’t easy sometimes, Hailee, and you’re so... oblivious to that.”
“I’m not...” I pressed my lips together, swallowing the argument lodged in my throat. Because Flick was right. Until now, I had no idea she felt that way.
“I don’t want to be the next Khloe Stemson. I don’t want to join the cheer squad and throw myself at the Raiders feet, that’s not what this is. I just don’t want to graduate and have all these regrets.” She wafted the list in the air with a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”
“I’m sorry I’m such a hardened bitch who ruins your life.”
“Hails...”
“Joke.” I held up my hands. “I’m joking.” For the most part anyway. “I need to pee; I’ll be right back. Can I get you anything else? My treat?”
“Hmm, I shouldn’t.” Her gaze flicked to the counter. “But I’d accept one of those rocky road brownies as a peace offering.”
With a weak smile and a heavy heart, I stood up. “Consider it done.” Making my way inside the store, I headed toward the back where the restrooms were.