Page 161 of Dear #47, You're the Worst
Mollie nods so fast I worry her sunglasses are going to slide right off.
“Hi, I’m Juliet.” I step forward, offering her a handshake. “Don’t worry. It’s overwhelming at first, but you’ll find your rhythm.”
Mollie exhales like she’s been holding her breath. “Thank you. I was up half the night writing ideas for TikToks. Then I realized I’ve never even been in a locker room before. Awkward, no?”
I shake my head, amused. “The only thing they’ll notice is if you stand too close to the laundry bins and accidentally swoon at the smell. Avoid those things like the plague and you’ll survive just fine.”
That gets her giggling, bright and effervescent. I already love her energy.
Beck Tate skates over to us, pulling his helmet off and holding it under his arm. He’s also knock-you-out handsome. He’s tall with trimmed salt and pepper hair, dark eyes, and cheekbones that could cut. His dark facial hair has flecks of silver in it. “Moll! You made it.”
“I did.” The radiant smile she gives her big brother makes my heart squeeze. “Are we still on for tonight? You, me, the munchkin, and as many tacos as we can eat?”
Beck nods. “You know it, kiddo.”
“Beck!” Mollie looks at the two of us standing here. “No lame nicknames. Youpromised!”
His lips twitch. “Sorry, Mollie Marie Tate. I’ll call you by your full name from here on out.”
“Go play hockey,” Ivy says, dismissing him with a wave. “We’re busy over here.”
“Sure thing, boss.” Beck laughs, putting his helmet on. “See you tonight. Bring those tortillas that Rosie likes.”
When he skates away, Mollie sighs. “Rosie is my niece. And she only likes these super fresh tortillas that my neighbor sells from her kitchen because Rosie has great taste.”
“You’re making me hungry,” I chime in.
“Really? Cause you two are welcome to take part in the taco party anytime.”
“Tacos are so damn good,” Ivy murmurs.
Thorne skates up with a bottle of water, his shoulder pads making his already ridiculously tall frame seem bulky. “Hey.”
“We just got rid of Beck. We’re trying to work,” Ivy chides.
Thorne ignores her and looks at me. “I, uh, might need to talk to you later. I’m not sure yet.”
Suspicious. “Why?” I ask.
“I have a situation.” He shrugs and glances at Ivy and Mollie. He probably doesn’t want to tell me anything in front of them. “I’ll monitor it and keep you updated.”
“Please do.”
Mollie, for her part, seems frozen, staring at Thorne. Her notebook slips from her hands and she nearly drops it. “Hi,” she blurts, voice shooting high and thin. “Nice skating out there.”
“Moll.” Thorne lifts his brows a fraction and gives her a curt nod. "Beck just invited me to taco night.”
“Oh!” Mollie’s brain is a 50-tab browser, every single page frozen at once. She turns bright pink. “Whatever. Couldn’t care less.”
As far as statements go, it doesn’t seem true. Mollie is quite affected by Thorne, for whatever reason. I have to say I understand, because Thorne is white-hot. Mollie catches our expressions and rushes to give some context.
“Beck and Alex have been besties since sixth grade. We all go way back. And yes, if you were wondering, Thorne has always been an arrogant jerk.”
“As much as I love being stuck in this conversation, we have stuff to tackle.” Ivy sighs. “Thorne, no offense, but get lost. We’re trying to have a meeting here.”
Thorne pins me with an intense expression. “See you around?”
“Sure. You know where to find me.”
