Page 16 of Game Plan

“Do you recall I have to be at the pool at the crack of dawn tomorrow?”

“Yep. I didn’t say I would get you drunk. We’re just gonna grab a slice of pizza or something. Anyway, your shift ends at ten, and I promise I’ll have you in bed before midnight.” She joined her hands in prayer underneath her chin. “Say yes. Pretty please. We barely see each other these days, and you need to get your mind off You Know Who.”

“Okay, fine.”

The smile drawing on her lips looked way too big for her small face. Cassidy and I were as different as our respective sides of the room. While my hair was brown and wavy, hers was jet black, straight, and styled in a layered bob haircut. My irises were turquoise, and hers were a deep cinnamon shade. Bare feet, I towered over her by at least four inches, which nobody could suspect since she always wore black sky-high heeled laced boots with everything. Her wardrobe consisted mostly of black faux-leather pieces and fishnet tights. Mine was a rainbow of mix-and-match colors and textures, mostly consisting of jeans, cute shirts, knitted sweaters, varsity sweatshirts and sweatpants, sneakers, and ankle boots.

My roommate often said I was the day to her night, but we couldn’t be a more perfect match. Cassidy had relocated from Vancouver, Canada, and knew no one in town. From the day we moved in together, we’d been best friends. Sometimes, she reminded me of Paige with her selfless heart and the softness emanating from her, but a more grunge version of my former best friend.

Twenty minutes later, I walked toward Jules, who was waiting for me in the quad by the fountain. She waved, and I returned her smile and handed her the pumpkin-spiced mocha I’d picked up for her at Hot Shot on my way here, as we fell into step.

“This thing is like dessert mixed with coffee,” my friend said, lifting her to-go cup in my direction as a thank you. “It tastes like autumn and fallen leaves, turtleneck sweaters and first snow.”

I blew on the steam billowing from the small opening in the lid of my cup. “It’s way too sweet. I tried it once, and my jaw tickled when it coated my tongue. I’m sticking to lattes.”

“You have no idea what you’re missing out on. Speaking of missing out…huh…my brother asked about you.”

I coughed. “About me?”

“He came over a few days ago, and I told him he should meet my super-extraordinary-fabulous-now-single friend. I swear you two would get along.” She watched me with a tipped brow. “Do you trust me?”

“You know I do, but I’m not actively looking to be set up. Not right now. My schedule is busy. I have no free time left to date and meet new people. And my breakup still stings.”

“You were with the guy for almost a year. I don’t understand why you’re not more heartbroken. You sure you’re all right?”

“I think Jay and I…we-we were more friends than lovers. It’s hard to explain. Does it make sense?”

“I happen to have a theory. It’s usually when you’re not actively looking that the best ones come along.” She tapped her forefinger on her chin. “What do they say? Oh yes. To get over a guy, you gotta get under another one.”

I slapped her arm. “Ugh, Jules. Don’t say that. It-it’s…it’s gross.”

“But it’s true. I’ve never tried it, but I can attest it makes perfect sense.”

“I don’t wanna be your guinea pig.”

“Damn, I thought we could do some sociology experiment together.”

We both burst into a fit of laughter.

She pointed at me with her chin. “Oh, and I love your skirt, by the way. It’s very October-like.”

“I wasn’t sure if it was too early in the season to wear a wool mini, but I just bought it and thought, Who cares? According to the calendar, even if it’s still sunny and warm outside, it’s still fall.”

“Next time, drop the sweater and go with a white shirt.”

I glanced at my outfit with a frown. The skirt was plaid—navy blue and cherry red—and I was wearing a knitted navy-blue sweater with matching knee-high socks.

“Why?”

“If you wore glasses and tied your hair in pigtails, you’d look very…huh…college student porn ready.”

“Gosh. Stop with the sex stuff today. Ask Shawn to take care of your needs and quick because your head is filled with naughty thoughts.”

“Yeah, sometimes my mind is a fun place to be. Anyway, your look is very Britney Spears Baby One More Time era. Classic, but it could easily veer into ‘slutty’ with a few tweaks.” She gave me a cheeky grin. “I’m just messing with you. Don’t change a thing. I love it, and it suits you perfectly. I was thinking of getting a similar romper for myself. It’s tweed and has a few buttons down the front.”

“With a white shirt, it will look great.” I winked, and she mirrored my smile.

“Touché. Back to business. Jett is tall, funny, and he plays hockey. He’s not a serial womanizer or a dick. I swear. He doesn’t fuck around and doesn’t care about puck bunnies. He had a serious girlfriend for a long while. They broke up last year when she moved to Tucson. He’s studying to be a doctor and is a no-nonsense kind of guy. I’m telling you, if we weren’t related, even I would date him.”