Kissing Ted Callahan (and Other Guys)(48)

But, no, I look exactly the same. So if it’s not this huge life-changing, course-altering event, what the heck does that mean about installing a wall of silence between Lucy and me?

I don’t want to think about any of that. I am going to enjoy every single last awesome bit of tonight.





CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE



The Madison Thing, Continued, by Reid


Madison calls me after school and says her dad and stepmom are going to be out, so I should come over. I know this is a very good sign. It’s such a good sign, I bring, to be polite, precautions. If you’re wondering why I had precautions handy, it’s thanks to the health fair.

So I get there and I was kinda hoping Madison would give me some really clear sign, like opening the door wearing something like underwear, but she’s wearing the same thing she wore to school. Also she ordered Thai food, which doesn’t seem like she’s planning an evening of romance. Though I will say the Thai’s from Bulan and it’s really good.

So Madison says she heard something about me, and I start sweating and shaking but I’m trying to act like I’m not, and I have no idea what she could have heard but I doubt there are any really solid pro-Reid Goodwin rumors. And apparently what she heard--and I have no idea from who--is that I am really good at Scrabble.

How is there a rumor that I am really good at Scrabble? Where did that start? I can’t stop trying to figure it out, and I’m waiting for her to kick me out because it’s probably not a very attractive quality in a guy. But she says she’s secretly awesome at Scrabble and plans to kick my ass.

I do my best to use romantic or sexy words, but the best I can manage is getting O, R, and A when there’s an L to play off of, but it seems tacky and gross so I don’t. I try to analyze Madison’s plays for any kind of subliminal messages, but it’s just a bunch of random smart Scrabble moves that make words like qi and jammy, so I’m getting nothing there.

The game takes a really long time and Madison actually is a secret Scrabble wizard, and she doesn’t completely demolish me but she does end up beating me, and at that point I’m kind of exhausted but I’m still trying to think of a good move to make, like, on her, not the game--by now the game’s over. She just says we should go up to her room, and I am really glad I brought precautions, but then the front door opens and her parents walk in, and Madison’s just all, “See ya, Reid,” and waves good-bye to me.

So I still haven’t had sex and also I am no longer the best at Scrabble at Edendale High. Tonight was a big loss.

(Okay I might be being dramatic. Madison did end up walking me to my car and we kissed for at least eight minutes.)





CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO


At practice the next day I try to walk in like I always do, but part of me wants to swagger, and part of me doesn’t even want to look at Lucy or Reid. Or, I guess, Nathan either.

“Can we start with ‘Can’t Talk’ again?” Lucy asks. “I’d really like it to be ready for the Smell.”

“Totally,” I say. “Reid, are you tuned? Can we go?”

“Ri, it’s a delicate process,” he says.

I turn to roll my eyes at Lucy, but she looks away. Yikes.

No, my post-doing-it-with-Ted-Callahan mood is not to be ruined. I count off with my sticks, and we launch into “Can’t Talk.” We play it over and over until it’s shaping up, and we work awhile on an Andrew Mothereffing Jackson cover and run through “Tease,” “Garage,” “Holly Trueheart,” “Across the Room,” and “Tone Deaf.” I’m hoping to have all this newfound sexually charged drumming or rhythm power, but I’m exactly the same, even though I am Riley Jean Crowe-Ellerman, Virgin No More.

“Can you guys practice awhile later today?” Nathan asks. “We could get even more done if we keep going, and we’ll be in better shape for our show.”

He’s right, but if I leave now, I still have time to see Ted before going home to have dinner with the United Front. “Um, maybe this is enough for today?”

Wait, what am I doing?

“No, never mind, you’re right, Nathan, of course, as always,” I say, which is bitchier than anything I am actually thinking. “Sorry, I just—let’s keep going.”

“Is that supposed to mean something?” Nathan asks.

“No, god, sorry, I’m having a weird day. Can we keep playing?”

Everyone looks back at me like I’m a circus freak, but we do keep going. By the time we finish, Nathan suggests we walk to Best Fish Taco, but I feel panicky about time, so after carrying my drums out to my car I wave good-bye and drive off.

At this point I should probably just go straight home, but I head to the Galleria and run into the food court. Ted is watching a bunch of corn dogs fry in intense concentration, but I walk right up and wave.

“Hi, Ted.”

“Hi, Riley,” he says with a grin. “Hey.”

“Hey.” I laugh and watch as his face turns red. Oh my god, he’s the cutest. “I’m sure you’re superbusy, but I wanted to say hi.”

Oh my god, we have now said hi or hey, like, twenty-seven times each.

“How was practice?” he asks.

“Really good. We’re trying to play everything a ton so we’re ready for the Smell. How’s work?”