Page 33 of Necessary Roughness
“You have no idea. It’s going to be alongyear.”
“No point in worrying about it now,” Logan said cheerfully while handing out soup bowls. “It’s time for Die Hard!”
13
Sloane
I found Die Hard on one of the various streaming services and hit play while we all chose seats. Logan and Knox picked spots on the couch, leaving a big gap in the middle for me to take, but I chose the solitary armchair instead.
“I’m starting with a bowl of potato soup,” Logan announced, “then switching to broccoli cheddar.”
“It’s good,” Knox said with a mouthful of soup. “But hot.”
I casually pulled out my phone and sent a text.
Me:What the hell was that?
Jayden:I’m being your wingman. You’re welcome.
Me:But Die Hard?
Jayden:It was the quickest way to make sure they stayed. Straight men love Die Hard.
“I fucking love this movie,” Logan said while holding the bowl of soup close to his face, blowing across its surface. “See how he takes his shoes off to get over jet lag? That’ll be relevant later!”
I tried not to chuckle.
Me:You’re right. But now we’re locked into hanging out for two hours.
Jayden:Oh no. You’re stuck with the hottest guys on campus for the next two hours. I’m a monster for forcing you into such a terrible situation.
Jayden:Now stop texting me and go enjoy your movie date!
Me:It’s not a date. That’s the opposite of what this situation is supposed to be!
I put my phone down and said, “Wow, Bruce Willis looks so young.”
“This did come out forty years ago,” Knox said, glancing over at me. “Youhaveseen this before, right? Since your friend said it’s your comfort movie?”
I had already lied too many times today, so I winced and slowly shook my head.
Both heads jerked in my direction. “Seriously?” Logan asked.
“I’ve seen bits and pieces of it whenever it’s on TV,” I admitted. “But I’ve never watched the entire thing all the way through. Jayden was just making a joke at my expense.”
Logan shook his head. “You think you like a girl, and then she drops a bomb like that.”
He likes me. His declaration gave me a warm, pleasant feeling in my core that had nothing to do with the soup.
“It’s only a movie,” I teased.
Logan sputtered his soup in surprise. “Only a movie. She thinks this is only a movie. Are you hearing this, bro?”
“Logan likes to be melodramatic,” Knox said.
“You aren’t one of those guys who think this is a Christmas movie, are you?” I asked.
Logan slowly put down his bowl on the coffee table, then crossed his hands in his lap. “I don’t justthinkit’s a Christmas movie. It is a verifiablefactthat it’s a Christmas movie! Do you hear that soundtrack playing right now? Christmas music!”
