Page 73 of Notice Me, Jameson Hart
“I don’t have anything to wear to a house party,” I protest weakly.
“You look fine,” Robbie says, then does a double-take at myJust Danceattire—basketball shorts and an oldHairsprayT-shirt with a hole near the hem. “Okay, maybe change your shirt and take a shower. But otherwise, you’re good.”
Rita’s already on her feet, pulling me up with surprising strength. “We’re going. You’re going to look amazing. And you will finish that conversation with Jameson if it kills me.”
“Rita—”
“No arguments.” She turns to my brothers. “Give us twenty minutes to get ready.”
Adam shrugs. “Fine. But if you’re not ready by then, we’re leaving without you.”
They head back upstairs, and Rita immediately goes into crisis mode. “Okay, we need to get you into something that says ‘casual but devastating.’ Do you have any shirts like that?”
“Isn’t that what this says?” I tug at the one I’m wearing.
“Kevin, you dress like you raided a clearance rack at Target.”
“That’s literally what I do all the time.”
She drags me toward the stairs. “This is exactly why you need me.”
Twenty minutes later,I’m showered, spritzed with cologne, and wearing jeans that Rita insists make my “ass look amazing.” I’m also wearing a navy Henley that Robbie left in our room. It’s too big in the shoulders, but Rita claims that makes it come off asintentionally oversizedrather thanstolen from my brother.
“You look great,” she says, stepping back to admire her work. She’s changed into high-waisted shorts and a crop top that would get her dress-coded at school but is perfect for a summer party.
“I look like I’m trying too hard.”
“You look like you’re trying the exact right amount.” She grabs my shoulders. “Listen to me. You’re going to walk into that party, find Jameson, and get your answers. No more wondering, no more maybes. Tonight, you find out exactly where you stand.”
“What if all he wants is to be friends?”
“Then at least you’ll know.” Her expression softens. “But Kevin? The way you described your taco date? It wasn’t a “friends hanging out” thing.”
Adam honks the horn outside, and we rush downstairs. My stomach churns with equal parts excitement and dread as we pile into the minivan.
On the way toward Tyler’s house, I stare out the window and try not to think about all the ways tonight could go wrong. Or right. Or wrong-right. Or right-wrong.
My phone buzzes.
Jameson
Are you going to Tyler’s party?
Me
Yes
Jameson
Awesome! Can we talk?
My heart stops, restarts, then stops again.
Me
Yeah. We can talk.
Jameson
