Page 15 of Offsides

… and there I go again realizing he acted more like a boyfriend than just a friend all along, didn’t he?

Anyway. Tonight I don’t know which option I like better. Both seem bad for different reasons.

If I end up hanging with Eli here or at his place at the end of the night, I worry he might try to kiss me again. Or that he won’t. Both of those things seem equally bad.

And if I go home alone because he’s hooking up with someone else, well … that would hurt my feelings.

Even now, just thinking about it, jealousy rises inside me like a sick wave.

But it also means that he never would’ve wanted more from me than a hookup. After he rescued me from my karaoke debacle, he was probably just horny and caught up in the moment.

It pisses me off, though. Because if he hadn’t done that, we wouldn’t be in this situation. I wouldn’t wonder why he kissed me. I wouldn’t have to worry about what our every interaction has ever meant.

Gah!

But we agreed to go back to normal, so that means going to the party.

“Hey!” There’s a quick knock, and then Autumn’s head pokes through my cracked open door. “You getting ready?”

I glance down at my joggers and threadbare hoodie. “Uhh …”

Autumn laughs, tossing her mermaid hair over her shoulder as she fully enters my room, surveying me with her hands on her hips. “Do you want to go to Dylan’s party looking like that? Or do you want to dress up a little?”

“Wait, what?” Ellie, who was apparently walking by, backs up so she can peer through my open doorway. “Dani’s dressing up?” Her face brightens, and she claps her hands. “Are we giving her a makeover?”

“She can hear you,” I put in sarcastically.

Ellie wrinkles her nose and grins. “Obviously. So are we?”

I glance at Autumn, who raises her eyebrows, inviting me to make a decision. “It’s up to you,” she adds. “I can take Ellie if she tries to pressure you. But if you want to, we’ll help.”

“We?”

Bouncing on her toes, Ellie has her hands clasped under her chin. “Piper will want to be involved too, of course. She’s the master at that girly-sporty combo. You definitely want her help.”

And this is why I love my friends, even if they can be overwhelming at times. They’re excited to help me, but only if I want their help and only as far as I’m willing to go. Girly-sporty could work for me. Isn’t that kinda the best of both worlds? And Ellie’s right. Piper’s awesome at pulling that off. If anyone could help me create a new style that still fits my personality, it would be her.

“Okay,” I say slowly, holding up a hand when Ellie lets out a shrill squeal of excitement. “Nothing too crazy, though.”

Her short brown ponytail flies back and forth as she shakes her head. “No, no, of course not. Piper!” She stands half out of the doorway. “Piper! Get to Dani’s room now!”

“Oh my god, Ellie,” Piper grumbles seconds later. “I’m right here. The house isn’t that big. You don’t need to shout loud enough for everyone across town to hear you.”

Ellie’s not deterred in the slightest by Piper’s good-natured scolding. “Dani’s going to let us dress her up for the party tonight.”

Piper’s eyes go wide, and a smile stretches across her face. Crossing her arms, she looks me up and down. “Oh yeah? Are you really?”

Lifting one shoulder in a half shrug, I scoot to the edge of my bed and stand. “I let Autumn dress me up a couple of weeks ago. It was kinda fun. Figure I might as well try it again.”

Ellie and Piper start talking over each other, asking too many questions and making a million comments about how they wish they could’ve been there for that, but at least they’re here now and on and on until Autumn claps her hands sharply.

“Right. If we’re all going to get ready in time, we need to get started. Dani, go get in the shower. I’m assuming you’re good with me styling your hair again?” At my nod, she gently pushes me toward the door. “Go shower. Leave your outfit to us.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Eli

Jackson and I go to Dylan’s place together. His family has money, so he lives in a swanky condo downtown. He doesn’t even have a roommate, though he let Gardner crash with him for a while last year when he was having trouble finding a place to live.

---