Page 79 of Rival Season
I sputter a laugh. “Nah, that was because of me, not the steps.”
“You also said she told you she wants to explore more of San Francisco and soak up the culture here. Art equals culture, my friend.”
He’s got me there.
I think about it for a moment. Hazel probablywouldenjoy attending an art show. And it would be fun to go together. I like seeing the world through her eyes, how she drinks everything in and processes information. Plus, she’s such a walking encyclopedia that she’s probably full of interesting facts about the art world.
“If I say I’ll ask her to come, will you leave me alone to shower?”
“I will.”
“Consider it done.”
“Yes!” Fisher pumps his fist in victory and finally exits the bathroom, leaving me in peace.
I’ve barely started shampooing my hair when there’s another knock on the bathroom door.What the hell?
“I swear, Fisher, if you interrupt my shower one more damn time, I’ll—” I trail off, because I have no idea how to end that sentence.
There’s a long pause before a soft voice that definitely doesn’t belong to my roommate says, “Penn?”
I blink in shock. “Hazel? What are you doing here?”
“Well, um, we need to talk…”
A few minutes later, I walk into my bedroom with a towel wrapped around my waist to find Hazel sitting on the end of my bed, tracing the stripes on the comforter with her fingertips.
“Hi,” I say awkwardly.
“Hi.” She looks up, and while her expression is composed, her teeth are worrying her bottom lip, and my heart sinks further.
A girl has only said those four words to me—we need to talk—once before. It was when Tori told me she no longer wanted to be with a guy like me.
Not a great track record, but Hazel looks so nervous right now, it makes me think she’s here to break up with me too. Do fake couples even have real break ups? I have no idea.
“I wasn’t expecting company, do you want me to put some clothes on?” I joke in an attempt to lighten the tense mood in the air. “I’ll grab some sweats now and go get changed in the bathroom if you give me a sec.”
Hazel’s eyes move over my bare, damp chest before she releases her bottom lip and smiles. “Don’t feel like you have to get dressed on my account. The view’s pretty good right now.”
Her jest has my heart rate normalizing, the tightness in my chest loosening as I sink into the armchair in the corner of myroom and grin at her. “I know it’s difficult, but just try to restrain yourself from looking up my towel, okay?”
“You don’t want me to objectify you?”
“Wait, you’re right. I changed my mind, look all you want.”
We both start laughing, and my shoulders relax. Because no matter what, Hazel and I are still friends. I’m glad to have her in my life, in whatever capacity.
Our eyes catch as we laugh. “I’m sorry I was a dick earlier,” I say at the exact same time as she blurts out, “This isn’t fake for me anymore.”
We stare at each other for a loaded moment before she blinks. “You weren’t a dick. You were quiet, though. Not your usual self, and I was worried.”
My mouth falls open. “Wait, what did you just say?”
“I said you were quiet, and weren’t?—”
“No, I mean before that,” I interrupt, still staring at her.
Hazel’s cheeks flush red, and she dips her head. “I said this isn’t fake for me anymore.”
