Getting Wilder ✔️

Bonus Chapter

Brad POV: #fail

"This is literally the stupidest plan in the history of stupid."

I felt my ears heating up at Kailey's retort, fully aware of their truth as she rolled her eyes and crossed her arms in front of his chest. "Not to say kind of messed up." 

"I...I know-" I groaned. "But come on, you know there is absolutely no other way he would ever willingly come to see me." 

"And whose fault is that?" Kailey asked, raising an eyebrow. The thought made my stomach tighten, but there was no denying how right she was.

"I haven't been the smartest, okay? You think I don't know that?" I snapped at her. 

"Is that supposed to be a good thing?" she asked incredulously. She opened her mouth to say something else before her phone rang and she fished it out of her jeans, glancing at the screen. "It's Cher. She's asking if she should go for it."

I bit my lip and took a deep breath. "Y-yes. I would say...go for it." 

There were a million things that could go wrong with our twisted plan. For one, Nico might not actually come in the first place. But Kailey was convinced that he would and I was banking heavily on her being right again. 

Kailey placed the phone to her ear. "Yeah, go ahead."

She hung up and immediately went back to glaring at me before she shook her head. "I just don't get it you know."

"Get what?" I asked. 

"Why you're so desperate for him," Kailey sighed. "But whatever, I guess. He's the golden child after all."

I couldn't help but notice the twinge of jealousy in her voice, which was strange since from what I knew their mother spoiled both of them equally. "He should be here soon so I guess you oughta complete the set-up. I'll tell the others."

I nodded as she slipped out of the room and glanced at the still empty bucket on the floor. I felt like an absolute donkey, trying to pull off a ridiculous immature prank I had only ever seen in crappy 90s era movies. But the prank wasn't the main attraction anyway, me swooping in to save him was. 

The thought didn't make me feel like any less of a donkey. I quickly made my way into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror, taking deep breaths as I tried to calm myself. Under usual circumstances, something normal like straight up asking him out on a date would be a much better option, even if we did have to do it in secret until I was absolutely ready to come out. But in a world where no way in hell would he ever see me as a good guy, asking him on a date would cause immediate rejection. 

A different idea formed in my head. What if this didn't work?

Something deep inside me couldn't help but hope that maybe the idea was just crazy enough to work. 

I started as the door to my bedroom opened followed by loud voices. I assumed Kailey had informed everyone about our 'prank.' I peeked my head through the door, counting seven people including her outside. If I could stand up for Nico among them all, he would have to see me as the good guy or at least maybe see a part of me he wasn't completely disgusted with. It could be a start.

I took a few extra minutes in the bathroom, makings sure my hair wasn't perfect but just messy enough. After that, I stepped out as McKinney pursed his lips and gave me what was his most judgemental look, his eyes narrowed and shoulders wide. 

"You're already a dumbass motherfucker but you're about to break your own record."

I scowled and punched his arm. "Shut the fuck up, okay? I've thought this through."