Page 54 of The Hopelessly Bromantic Duet

Alex laughs. “Self-confidence isn’t a bad thing.”

“So, what happened with this Trevor fellow at the audition?” Olivia prompts.

Oh. Hmm. That’s a good question. I hadn’t cooked up a story yet. But I was always good at improv. As I reach the door to the club, I say offhand, “Oh, he was just asking if he could join us later tonight. So maybe I’ll text him.”

There. Picture that, roomie.

With his jaw ticking, TJ heads to the ticket window. Olivia grabs me, tugs me out of earshot.

“What is your deal?” she whispers.

“Just having fun.”

“You never talk about exes. They’re all twats. And I have no clue who Trevor is.”

“He’s fake,” I whisper.

She tilts her head, tutting me. “Be careful there. You’re playing with his heart.”

I scoff. “That would be impossible.”

She wags a finger at me. “Don’t be a twat.”

I’m simply giving TJ what he wants. Me with another man. “I’ve got this under control,” I tell Olivia.

We head inside, pouring into the crowded space, and soon the band begins. I’d like to say Lettuce Pray drowns out my thoughts. But it seems to stoke them. All these songs of longing have me imagining TJ kissing other men. Touching other men. Fucking other men.

Halfway through the set, TJ tells us he’s going to grab a drink. I don’t follow him. I dance with Olivia and Alex, and when Olivia spots her pretty blonde friend Polly, the four of us dance to the beat.

A few minutes later, TJ returns, but he doesn’t join in. He nurses his drink, stares at the stage, and says nothing.

With every move I make, I fume.

With every shake of my hips, I seethe.

When the music ends, Olivia says the three of them are going to get a nightcap. Translation: Olivia is going to pitch a threesome to Polly and Alex.

“Cool. TJ and I are going to Wiseman,” I tell her.

Out on the street, she pulls me aside once more. “What are you doing?”

I scoff, like none of this is a big deal. “I’m going to fuck someone else tonight.”

She shakes her head, her eyes hard. “He’s been staring at you all night with the most intense look in his eyes. He can’t stop looking at you.”

“I don’t care,” I spit out.

I don’t care so much that when the three of them head one way, and TJ and I go the other, I stride right up to the bar in Wiseman and order two beers.

The bartender serves me straight away. I hand one to TJ, then lift mine.

“Cheers. To Project Wingman,” I say, and yes, this is my best performance ever.

A resigned breath comes from him as he clicks his glass to mine. “Let’s find you a man,” he says, and when he sets down the beer, it is on.

20

MY KINGDOM FOR A DO-OVER