Chapter 20
Tracy’s Plan
CHARLOTTE
After we finally managed to get the second-to-last ticket piece, I spent the rest of the winter break just studying game film or practicing with the guys online. I texted Tracy a few times but didn’t go back to her house. It had now been weeks since New Year’s, and I hadn’t seen her outside of school.
She begged me to spend the night this Friday, so I finally agreed.
I walked up to her door and was expecting her typical knock-me-over hug greeting, but instead, TJ answered the door.
“Um, hi,” I said hesitantly.
“Hey, come on in,” he invited, opening the door wider.
“I’m supposed to meet Tracy at three,” I said, wondering where she was.
“Really? She isn’t supposed to be home until six tonight. I wonder why she told you to come over at three,” he mused.
“Oh, I guess I should go home then,” I said, starting to turn around.
“Wait, no reason to do that. Why don’t you go put your stuff in her room, then we can continue our game we were playing before Christmas.”
“Oh, that sounds fun, but are you sure you don’t mind? I don’t want to be a bother,” I told him.
“Trust me, you could never be a bother. Go on up and I’ll get the game ready.”
“Okay!” I raced up to Tracy’s room to put my stuff down.
We were playing for a few minutes, kicking butt, when TJ turned to me.
“So, I have to ask, have you been avoiding me?”
“Um, not entirely,” I answered honestly.
He paused the game and turned toward me, grabbing my hand.
“Are you mad at me for kissing you? I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m not mad, I’m just confused.”
“I really like you, and I’d like a relationship with you. I think you like me too, but if I’m reading things wrong, I’ll back off and we can be friends,” he told me.
“I don’t really have any experience with guys, so I’m not sure what my feelings for you are. I know I enjoy spending time with you and look forward to it,” I said.
“Is this about that other guy? Tracy told me she thought you liked someone else,” he asked.
“I don’t know what my feelings are toward him either, to be honest.
He’s always been my best friend, so I’m not really sure if it’s friendship or more that I feel for him.”
“Well, can we continue to hang out and stuff until you decide? I’d really like to take you out on a date. We don’t have to be exclusive. I just want a chance.”
“Okay, I guess I can agree to that,” I said shyly, as he leaned in and kissed me. It wasn’t overly passionate this time—it was just sweet.
“Oh, that reminds me—can I have your number now?”
“Um, no,” I told him.
“No? Why not? How can I coordinate a date if I can’t call or text you?”
“Think of it as a challenge. I only have six people in my phone right now. I don’t give my number out easily. What if you are trying that whole Carrie thing and just want to dump pig’s blood on me at the prom?” I asked.
“So, you’ll go to prom with me?”
“Slow your horses, it was an example,” I told him.
“Okay, how about this: if I convince you to give me your number by
prom, you’ll be my date?” he asked.
“Sure, sounds good.”
“Excellent. Until then, I guess I’ll be borrowing Tracy’s phone a lot,” he
said, making me laugh.
“That’s cheating.”
“No, my dear, it’s being resourceful,” he commented, making me laugh
harder.
“Touché.”
We spent the next few hours playing our game. Whenever we defeated a boss, he kissed me. It made the game even more fun, and I really looked forward to beating the bosses. I was beginning to understand Nep and his obsession with being around girls while he played. I still thought he took it too far, but TJ’s kisses did make the game more enjoyable.
We beat the final boss of the level, and I threw myself into his arms in excitement.
“That level was so hard, but we totally owned it!” I yelled.
“Yes, yes, we did. You’re really good,” he told me.
“Thanks, you’re pretty good too,” I said.
It was then that I realized I was still in his arms.
He slowly leaned down and kissed me more passionately. I was once again lost in a separate dimension where time had stopped. I felt him gently bite my bottom lip, making me gasp. He took that opportunity to deepen the kiss. I could feel the butterflies erupting in my stomach as we continued kissing.
“Maybe I need to come back later,” Tracy said, making me jump away from TJ.
“Uh, it’s, um, not what it looks like?” I hesitantly said.
“It looks like you were sucking face with my brother,” Tracy replied.
I looked over at TJ for some help, but he just gave a goofy smirk and pulled me closer to him.
“Okay, it is what it looked like,” I conceded.
“I know. I’m happy for you. So are you two together now?” she asked.
“Um, no,” I said, but he continued to hold me closer.
“Not yet,” he said, with a cocky smirk.
I ignored that comment and turned to Tracy.
“Hey, how come you asked me to come over at three if you weren’t going to be here?”
“Oh, uh, I kind of wanted you to talk to TJ,” she admitted shyly.
“Ah, thanks, sis. I owe ya one.”
“Wait, you planned this? I was set up?”
“I didn’t plan it, but I do have an awesome sister,” TJ said.
“Anyway, do you two want to watch a movie?”
“Sure!” Tracy said, plopping down on the chair. TJ pulled me against him so I was lying on his chest as he put a movie on for us.
I was going to complain about getting pulled around, but frankly I was really comfortable on him, so I didn’t say a word. As we watched the show, he slowly ran his hand up and down my arm. It felt amazing. Once the movie was over, we went to eat, and then Tracy and I went up to her room to paint our nails. I enjoyed being with Tracy but was missing TJ—which was crazy since I had just left him. Maybe she was right. Maybe I did like
him some.
Jupiter So, I looked over the films you sent, but didn’t see any from the number two ranked team Mars I’m not finished reviewing those yet. I plan to go over them next week.
Jupiter Great. Practice is tomorrow starting at ten. We’ll be testing out the new strategies you discussed
Mars Perfect
“OMG, you are totally texting the other guy after you just finished making out with my brother!” Tracy exclaimed.
“What? It’s not like that!” I said quickly.
“Then what’s it like?”
“He was telling me our plans for tomorrow,” I told her.
“You have plans with him tomorrow? Are you playing my brother?”
“What? No, not at all. I told your brother I wasn’t sure of my feelings for either of them yet. He asked me to give him a chance and continue to hang out with him until I decide.”
“Well, when do you think you’ll decide?” she asked.
“I am not going to make any decision until after spring break. It’s only about six weeks away.”
“Okay, after spring break I look forward to seeing you here more often —with TJ,” she said with a smirk. Wow, she looked like her brother when she did that. I often forgot they were twins until little things like that reminded me.
