Page 42 of How (Not) to Conjure a Boyfriend
“I’ll ramble forever about mythology if you don’t stop me,” he says as we walk down the hall and turn in to another room.
“I believe you,” I laugh.
“So this is Hayden’s room,” he says.
It’s nothing like Zachary’s. There are trophies along one wall on a floating shelf, a few basketball jerseys in cases. I’m assuming until I’m told otherwise that they’re real ones that the players wore because, I mean, look at this house. The bed is perfectly made, just like Zachary’s, probably courtesy of Mrs. Marcus…or a maid. A few posters dot the walls, including aEuphoriaposter just over his bed’s headboard featuring a busty Sydney Sweeney with her signature blonde hair and low-cut, fitted dress.
Yeah. He’s straight. Okay, no, he could be bi! Or maybe he is gay and just obsessed with her. I can’t really rationalize that last one with all I know of him, but that’s what I’m going with. I should really stop trying to figure it out.
“Definitely not as green,” I comment nervously. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing.
Does he expect me to rummage around Hayden’s stuff? That seems rude since he doesn’t actually know me, not like that. And I’ve already seen plenty.
“Hayden couldn’t care less about plants,” Zachary laughs.
“So that’s your thing, then.”
“And building junk,” he says. “Uh, so what are you up to this weekend?”
This weekend? That was way out of nowhere. Work, obviously. I rarely get a full day off on the weekend, but why do you want to know?
“Nothing much.” I shrug. He starts back into the hall and makes off toward the dining room. “Just work, maybe play someSims—”
“You playThe Sims?” Zachary asks.
“Yeah, you?” I ask, hopeful.
“Nah. I didn’t know anyone did anymore.” He grins.
I shake my head and nudge him. He lifts his hands in defense. “And I might go visit the old Harrell House.”
“‘Visit’?” Zachary makes finger air quotes. “You mean trespass.”
I just smile. He’s not wrong, but I’m going to leave it there. It’s abandoned. Has been for like thirty years, I think, and I most definitely won’t be the first person to visit since the signs went up. I’ve wanted to go since I heard about it freshman year. Mom doesn’t want me going, but I’ll worry about that later.
“Wanna come?” I surprise even myself, but when I consider taking the invite back, I can’t. How rude that would sound.
“You want me to go?” Zachary asks, then dips his head. “Or are you just too scared to go by yourself?”
“Eff you,” I say, not wanting to say the real word where his parents might hear. “I take it back. I’m going by myself.”
“No, don’t do that!” Zachary punches my shoulder. He’s acting like he’s known me a long time, and I’m not sure I know how to feel about that.
“Have no fear. I won’t. I’m trying to make Kaity go,” I tell him.
“Kaity?” He’s bewildered by the name, and I have to remind myself he knows basically nothing about me…well, except he does know more about me than Hayden. Hell, he’s met my mom!
“She’s my best friend,” I say.
“Oh, okay.” He nods. “Probably safer if I went too though.”
“Or just one more person to get in trouble,” I say.
“Or one more person to keep an eye out.” He raises his brow like he’s on to something.
Seems like he actually wants to go. I let my head angle, curls falling just over my eyes, and shake my head at him and smile.
“I guess you’re coming then,” I huff.
