Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 64887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Drew asked several more questions about my supposedly unthinkable plight, which I answered with amusement, until, finally, Selena put down her fork with purpose and declared, “Grayson McKnight, I’m going to throw your first-ever birthday party next month.”
And now, here we are—and my birthday party is more elaborate than my college buddy’s wedding reception. To think I’m the guest of honor at this soiree—and that everyone actually knew that’s what I’d be when they RSVP’d—is absolutely bananas to me.
I tune back into the conversation around me and surmise that one of my coders, Devlin, is planning a trip to Costa Rica with his husband and that Selena is giving him pointers about where to go and what to see.
“Rent a car and visit at least a couple of their national parks,” Selena advises. “Also, I’d suggest splitting your time between the beach and the rain forest.”
“Oh, let me write this down,” our friend says, pulling out his phone. “Thank goodness I happened to bring this up. You’re amazing, Selena.”
As Devlin begins furiously taking notes, Selena squeezes my arm. “This conversation is reminding me how much I’ve been wanting to take you to my favorite spots in Costa Rica. Let’s look at our calendars tonight and put something on the calendar, okay?”
“Absolutely.”
Devlin asks a question, which Selena answers. I listen to the conversation for a bit. But after a while, I can’t resist scanning the party, yet again. Truly, I’m blown away this whole thing is for me. First off, I spot Drew in the swimming pool and smile at the sight of him. He’s playing chicken with Eddie and a couple girls—the same two Selena and I met when we unexpectedly walked in on Drew’s movie night months ago. Except these days, the girl on Drew’s shoulders is officially his girlfriend.
A couple months after I’d first met Drew, I came over to play video games with him one day, and that’s when he asked me for advice on getting the girl who’s now sitting on his shoulders to like him “as more than a friend.”
“I’m flattered you’re asking me,” I told Drew back then. “But you should know I’ve gotten a grand total of two girls to like me as more than a friend in my entire life. One, my college girlfriend. And two, your mom. So, I’m obviously not an expert.”
Drew scoffed. “Quality is more important than quantity. That’s what Mom always says. So I think, based on the quality of your relationship with my mother, you’re an expert on this.”
It was a fucking amazing compliment, on so many levels. Indeed, I remember feeling like my heart was going to physically explode with joy in that moment. And yet, somehow, I managed to calmly ask, “What did your dad tell you to do, when you asked him for advice about this?”
I knew I was being a competitive dick to ask the question, but I couldn’t resist. I wanted to hear Drew say that whatever advice he’d gotten from Andre didn’t ring true, so he decided to come to me next. But to my surprise, Drew revealed he hadn’t even talked to his father about the topic at hand and didn’t plan to.
“I’ve seen my father with lots of girlfriends,” Drew explained. “And I’ve seen you with Mom. It’s painfully obvious which of you I should ask about women.”
That response thrilled me, to put it mildly. I gave Drew whatever advice I could muster, all of it pretty basic stuff. Ask lots of questions and listen carefully. Remember what she said and bring it up later. Always be yourself. And not long after that conversation, Drew came to me and excitedly revealed the girl who’s now sitting on his shoulders had said yes to their first date. “We’re not going out as friends,” Drew assured me. “I made it clear this is going to be a real date.”
From Drew in the swimming pool, my eyes drift again and land squarely on Max this time. I played corn hole with him earlier today, but he’s now sitting at a shaded table with several of Selena’s friends, including Marnie, the friend Max hooked up with way back when. I watch Max and Marnie’s body language at the table and try to discern if they’re flirting over there, but they’re too far away for me to come to a conclusion.
Before I look away, Max happens to get up and stride toward the bar, so I excuse myself from my group and head that way, too.
“Hey, Max,” I say as we both reach the bar.
He holds up his empty glass. “What the fuck is in this thing besides Grey Goose? It’s dangerous.”
The bartender pipes in to answer Max’s question, and we both order another round. As we wait for our drinks to be made, I ask, “Any sparks between you and Marnie over there? I saw you sitting with her and her friends.”