Page 72 of The Goat in the Bedroom
“Then I'll throw myself into the pool.”
“We don't have a pool.”
“I'll dig one and then throw myself into it.”
Flynn patted my shoulder. “You're handling this well.”
Then, because the universe hated me, Tyson chose that moment to make his move. He waited until everyone wasgathered in the living room, until I was definitely within earshot, and then turned to Artie with that perfect smile.
“So,” he said, loud enough for everyone to hear, “there's this new action movie coming out next week. The one with that actor you mentioned you liked? Fox Daws. Want to go see it with me?”
How did he know she wanted to see that? I'd been planning to ask her to that exact movie.
Artie glanced at me quickly, and for a second I thought maybe she was looking for a reason to say no. But I kept my face carefully neutral, supportive even, because that's what good friends did.
“Sure,” she said, and my heart cracked a little more. “That sounds fun.”
Flynn and Tyson did some kind of quick fist bump that they probably thought I didn't see. Great. My brother was literally celebrating my romantic demise.
“Perfect,” Tyson said. “It's a date.”
A date. Not hanging out, not catching a movie as friends. A date.
“I'm gonna check on the goats,” I announced to no one in particular, needing to escape before I did something stupid like cry or challenge Tyson to single combat.
The backyard was quiet, peaceful. Vincent and Holly were curled up together in their little barn, and they both looked up when I approached.
“Hey guys,” I said, sitting down next to their pen. “At least you two tried.”
Vincent bleated softly and stuck his head through the fence for scritches.
“She's going on a date with him,” I told the goats. “A real date. To the movie I wanted to take her to.”
Holly made a sound that seemed sympathetic.
“The practice sessions worked. She's confident now. Ready to date someone perfect like Tyson.” I rubbed Vincent's one floppy ear. “Mission accomplished, right?”
“Talking to the goats?”
I turned to find Artie standing behind me, backlit by the house lights.
“They're good listeners,” I said.
She sat down next to me, close enough that our shoulders touched. “Today was perfect. Thank you for the goats. I can't believe you did all this for me.”
“I'd do anything for you.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
“Gryff?” She sounded hesitant. “About the movie with Tyson...”
My heart stopped. Was she going to cancel? Tell me she'd rather go with me?
“Yeah?”
“Do you think I'm ready? The practice kissing helped, but what if I freeze up again?”
Right. She wanted advice. Friend advice. Practice partner advice.
“You'll be great,” I said, dying inside. “The practice sessions really helped your confidence. You're like a totally different person now.”
