Page 47 of I Think They Love You

“We have chemistry!”

“Thebest friendkind. Strictly bro behavior.” Jordan’s eyes drop back to his phone. “It’d be weird if you two were really dating.”

“So weird,” Denz agrees.

Those summers as teens, when Jordan spent more time at Denz’s house than his own, were magical. Every weekend, he would show up with a sleeping bag and an armful of video games. Denz still can’t smell freshly cut grass and chlorine and boyish sweat, and not think about his cousin and best friend. They were votedMost Likely to Start a Fireby his dad. An inseparable trio.

“I’m surprised you two didn’t kill each other,” Denz says, laughing. “You were always fighting over Mario Kart.”

“Because he cheated!” Jordan sniffs indignantly.

“A likely story.”

Jordan tugs at the collar of his black turtleneck. “Jamie’s still single?”

Denz shrugs. “You know him. New relationship every month.”

“Poor him,” Jordan says dryly.

“He’ll find the right one soon.”

Jordan doesn’t reply. Denz swears there’s something anxious in his thoughtful expression. A buzzing notification forces Denz to wiggle around, unearth his phone from his back pocket. Two new texts. From Braylon.

Why should you never break up with a goalie?

Because he’s a keeper.

The snort-giggle his body releases surprises Denz. He doesn’t know why. Braylon’s humor has always been terrible. Cheesy, actually. Like jarred, store-brand nacho cheese.

And it’s a million times better than any sext Denz has ever received.

He replies,this is appalling!

And then:we need to make a small change to our rules. my cousin Jordan knows.

There’s no better time than now to rip the Band-Aid off.

A bubble of a dancing ellipsis appears, then vanishes. A second turns into five. Denz can’t blame Braylon for being upset. It’s been less than twenty-four hours and he’s already fucked up.

Finally, a new message arrives.

Sorry. Whit needed my help with something.

Anyone else? I’d like to be prepared.

Relief tingles through Denz’s bloodstream. He doesn’t give himself a second to questionwhyhe’s comforted by Braylon’s response. He types out a quick answer.

NO ONE ELSE! I SWEAR! NO NEW FRIENDS!

Braylon sends,Family doesn’t count as friends.

Denz’s eyes widen. He starts to mentally compose a scathing, funny but venomous reply when more texts from Braylon land.

Apologies. I forgot to add

Was that too harsh? You’re probably making a face.

It’s impossible for Denz to contain the whale-like noise his throat emits. It’s horrendous and inexcusable and all Braylon’s fault.

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