9781250209153

anything when I came out. Just try to act like it’s something people should
have known all along.”
Irene doesn’t say anything. The silence between us feels heavy. She
clears her throat and says, “Play a song.”
I think I’ve misheard her. “What?”
“Play a song,” she says impatiently. “You’ve got one for every damn
mood, don’t you? So play something upbeat. Something that’s—I don’t
know—”
I know what she’s trying to say. Something to get me through this.
I scroll through my library, hovering over a few options, until I find the
perfect track. Perfect because it’s so ridiculous. I connect to her Bluetooth,
press PLAY, and wait for her reaction.
BUM. BUM BUM BUM—
I can tell the exact second she recognizes it, because she gives me that
look.
“Really?” she asks.
I shrug and turn the volume up. “Oh come on. ‘Eye of the Tiger’ is
everyone’s favorite pump-up song. It has major don’t-fuck-with-me
energy.”
“It has cheesy-sports-movie energy.”
“Yeah, and you love sports. You’re an athlete, remember?”
“Screw you,” she says, but her heart’s not in it.
“Fine,” I say, taking pity on her. “What’s your favorite song?”
“I’m not telling you that.”
“Favorite movie, then. We’ll do the soundtrack.”
She shakes her head. “No, this will work.” She flexes her hands on the
steering wheel. I pretend not to notice that her knee is shaking. Is this really
a good idea?
When we pull into the school parking lot, my hands are sweating. Irene
kills the ignition. “Are you ready?” she asks. There’s a slight quake in her
voice.
“We don’t have to go through with this if you don’t want to.”
She turns to me with her jaw set. “I wouldn’t have agreed if I didn’t
want to.”