I smile as I watch Hazel make a moat around a mound, which I think is supposed to be a castle. “What’s up?”
“You down for that double date tonight? I was thinking we could head to the Buck ’Em Brewhouse, have a few drinks, grab some appetizers, see where things go.”
He makes it sound so simple. “Are you pimping me out?”
“The biggest stud on campus? Hell, yes. I’m charging Cricket a hundred bucks for a shot with you.”
This asshole. I chuckle as I scan the park. “Just because I go out doesn’t mean anything’s going down tonight. I’m not into hook—” I stop myself when I realize what I was about to say in front of children.
“I got you. Like I said, let’s see where things go. Look, you had fun when you went out last spring with Larissa, right?”
“Yes,” I say hesitantly. Things were fun with her until she wanted to get serious even though I was honest from the beginning that I wasn’t sure I was ready for a commitment.
“How is this any different? The more you put yourself out there, the easier it’ll be to take the next step.”
I can’t believe I’m taking sex advice from Jinxy. “I have to get a babysitter.”
He howls into the phone. “That’s what I’m talking about.”
“Let me see if I can get someone to watch Hazel. It’s last-minute.”
I’m almost hoping no one can cover tonight, but Denise immediately tells me she’s free because her husband is having friends over tonight to play poker, and she’d love to get out of the house.
I guess that means I have a date.
13
ABIGAIL
I’m about to tell my new friends about the ticket to London I just booked when they stop to stare at me. Paige motions at my head and mumbles something to her friend Baylee, who nods.
“Y’all are scaring me.” I’m seated on a barstool in our kitchen while Baylee highlights my hair.
Paige waves at my face. “I was just saying she should give you curtain bangs.”
Baylee nods. “They’re totally in right now.”
“Do I need bangs?” I’ve never had them before.
“Yes,” they say in unison.
“I don’t remember the last time a professional cut my hair. I usually just have my mom trim my hair straight across the bottom when it gets too long.”
Baylee gasps. “Oh, girl, no. I’m about to be your new BFF.”
Baylee is Paige’s best friend from her hometown. She just graduated from cosmetology school and offered to cut and highlight my hair at a discount if she could use before and after photos on her social media. For the price, I couldn’t turn her down, even if I’m a little nervous to make such a big change.
Brow pinched, Baylee separates my hair, folds it into a foil strip, and spreads on the bleach. “I know you’re worried about how this will turn out, but you have great hair. We’re just accentuating it. Your boyfriend will be drooling when he sees you.”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.” Admitting that still makes me sad. I’m all for girl power, but there’s nothing like cuddling with your significant other.
Paige tuts. “An incredibly hot firefighter offered to take you on a date.”
“After he saw my boobs and butt,” I remind her.
Baylee stops with a brush full of bleach halfway to my head. “You flashed a hot firefighter?”
“It’s not like it sounds.”
