Page 35 of Bronco

“It does.”

“It’s also not a date.”

“Huh?”

“Amber’s real date got the flu.” I try not to choke the words down. “So she had a spare ticket to the game.”

Her eyes are still on me, prompting me to say, “What?”

“Uh, okaaaay.”

I frown. “Okaaaay? Means what, exactly?”

“Nothing.”

“Crystal,” I warn. “I've known you since we were in diapers, I can tickle the information out of you if I have to.”

“You know that would be so creepy if you weren't like a brother to me.”

“Creepy? Why does your mind always go to the gutter?”

“It doesn’t! I said like a brother!”

“Which is even creepier when you think about it,” I laugh.

She swats me with her hand. “I shouldn’t be even saying this,” her voice lowers. “But…”

I put my hands on my hips impatiently. “Spit it out, woman! Growin’ old here.”

“Well, Amber was asking what she should wear to the game.”

I stare at her.She was?

“I mean, it’s a basketball game. How hard is it?”

She slaps me upside the head. “Focus, Bronc!”

“Hey, what was that for?” I rub the back of my head. She manages to always get me in the right spot, just like my mama.

“Bein’ a saggy scrote, that’s what.”

I balk. “You did not just say that.”

“I did and I’ll say it again if I have to. If she’s asking about outfits, I’m thinking she may be a little more into this than you think.”

“Okay, so what does that mean? She’s into me?”

“Are you into her?” The corner of her mouth lifts.

I shift in my stance, my hands shoved into my jeans. “I like her a lot, yeah.”

I swear, Crystal gives the death-stare like no other. “Do you hear what I’m saying?”

“I mean, most people just wear casual shit.”

“Shewantsto knowwhatto wear to yournon-date.”

I grasp the words. “She’s into me,maybe?”

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