Not-So-Friends With Benefits

TWO

T W O | Drunken Decisions

      I THOUGHT ABOUT what Aaron said, and despite my initial thoughts, asking Jack out didn't sounds like the worst idea in the world. I'd met him in middle school, and although we didn't wind up super close friends, we did share a few classes and talked a bit. Aaron was right—we did have a lot in common from what I'd learned over the years. It just never crossed my mind to pursue a relationship with him, much less anybody. Besides, we didn't necessarily have to go on a date-date. It could be more of a get-to-know-you-better type of date.

      I spent most of the night thinking over the idea of asking Jack out. The Pros: he most likely wouldn't reject me, he was reasonably attractive, and it would piss Ronan off to see me enjoying myself. Not to mention, Jack would feel obligated to defend me from Ronan's torment. The Cons: theres always the chance he could reject me, we might not get along, and the idea of intimacy didn't sound very appealing to me with Jack. Or anybody, for that matter.

      "Ness, you okay?"

      I glanced up at Aaron's reflection in the rearview mirror. Ronan turned to face me from the passenger seat, a calculating look on his face before he nodded to himself. "She's fine. Just an airhead."

      Bailey came to my rescue almost instantly. "Leave her alone, Ronnie." She watched me carefully. "What's on your mind?"

      I watched Ronan from my peripheral. He stared at his phone screen and typed, most likely telling his friends from the bonfire we were getting close. "I'm fine. Just thinking something over."

      Aaron passed me a knowing look before forcing his eyes back to the road. "Have you made a decision?"

      Bailey was understandably confused, but Ronan looked like he couldn't care less what we were talking about. "Decision?" Bailey asked.

      "Aaron thinks I should ask Jack out."

      Ronan stopped typing.

      "Jack Rookman?" Bailey asked.

      "The one and only," Aaron answered. "They have a lot in common, and he's been crushing on her since middle school. I think it's a good opportunity for them both."

      "He's nice," said Bailey. "I think you should go for it."

      "Get me drunk enough and I might," I joked. Surprisingly, Ronan didn't make any demeaning comments toward me. "Let's hear it, Ronnie. I know you've got something up your sleeve."

When Ronan merely shrugged, I immediately knew something was up. By the look on Bailey's face, she did too.

      "We're here." Aaron slowed down, searching along the parking lot for an empty parking space and not giving us any chances to interrogate Ronan. There were people everywhere, walking to and from their cars or walking along the river edge as the sun started to set. "I'm going to drop you guys off here and find somewhere else to park. I'll meet you by the drinks." He looked between Ronan and I. "Please, try to be civil for once."

It was wishful thinking, and he knew it.

Ronan didn't waste any time getting away from me when Aaron dropped us off. Bailey slipped her arm around my elbow and pulled me toward one of the white, foldable tables with stacks and stacks of plastic cups waiting to be filled with booze. "Time to get some drinks in you."