Page 19 of Scoring Chances
I just ask, “Why?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know. I mean, you have every right to go with him. It’s not like I own you just because you work for me… I guess I was jealous.”
My heart pounds violently in my chest and I feel the need to crack a window open to get more oxygen to my brain. Why would he be jealous… of me?
Then I remembered just the other day.
How everyone around me seemed so concerned that I wouldn’t last because he had a reputation. I refuse to be another notch on his bedpost. Another girl he can say, been there, done that with.
As quickly as I feel flattered, I also feel anger surge. That he dare try to stake a claim on me when he knows we could never be anything. I work for him. That’s all. Nothing more. Period.
He swallows hard next to me. Probably wondering what’s going through my mind at his confession.
“Well…” I say. “You really don’t have anything to worry about with me. I’ve never even kissed a guy.”
The words fall out of me before I have the chance to fully measure whether they’re worth saying. But… cat’s out of the bag now.
He does a double take. “Wait, what?”
“Yeah…” I sigh. “I’m not really big into the whole dating scene. As in I’ve never actually dated anyone.”
And now I have word vomit. What is wrong with me?
Maddie is suddenly wide awake. “You’ve never had a boyfriend? Even I’ve had a boyfriend.”
I turn back to give her a look. “You’re eight, Maddie. What are you doing with a boyfriend?”
She dismisses me with the toss of her hand. “Oh you know. He holds my hand at recess. Refills my water bottle. Things like that.”
“Is that all?” Joshua asks, watching her through the rearview mirror.
“Yeah. What do you think we do? Kiss? Ew. That’s so gross.”
“You better not,” Joshua says in warning.
We all stay quiet for a few minutes while Joshua continues to drive.
“Hey Cassidy?” Maddie asks.
“Yeah?” I look back at the little girl.
“Maybe Josh can teach you.”
I blanche. “Teach me… what Maddie?”
“How to get a boyfriend. He’s really good at finding girlfriends. Maybe he can teach you.”
I laugh and look over at Joshua who isn’t laughing. “No, that’s okay. I don't need help.”
“I can teach you,” he says matter-of-factly.
I shake my head trying to comprehend what’s happening. “Teach me how to get a boyfriend?” I clarify.
He shrugs. “Why not? You’re living with us. We’d have plenty of time for lessons. In six weeks, I’ll have you be a master of flirtation.”
“Uh…” I laugh again, cocking my head at him. “Master of flirtation?”
He looks over at me momentarily before turning his attention back to the road. “Come on, Cassidy. You have like zero game.”