Page 14 of Foul Territory

“What’s hisname?” Lauren asks.

“I don’t know.” I nibble on my lower lip. “His username isNotYourAverageJoe19.Other than his interest in the same books as me, I don’t know anything else about him. I realize it’s silly to like him. He could live somewhere across the country.”

“Or he could live right here in Montgomery.” Charlie’s eyes go wild with excitement. “Did you tell Joe about this forum?”

“I did,” I draw out the word. “You think it might be him?”

“It’s a possibility. What are the chances you meet a guy named Joe in person and online on the same day?” Charlie asks.

“Joe is a popular name. Wouldn’t he have said something in one of his texts? Or in the chat?” Lauren questions.

“Maybe. Unless he’s assuming she already knows it’s him and doesn’t feel it’s necessary to bring it up,” Charlie counters.

“You should ask him,” Lauren says.

“Ask which him what?” I’m getting confused.

“Ask the Joe you know here on campus if he’s the same Joe online,” Lauren explains.

“And if he’s not?” Charlie asks. “That could ruin everything.”

“Or solve the mystery completely,” Lauren replies.

“You need to go out on a date with Joe. Then you can casually bring up a topic you and online Joe talked about in a conversation. If he acts like this is new information, then you know he isn’t the same guy,” Charlie says.

“That could work,” I agree.

Except for the whole date part. I haven’t been on a date in years. Not a real one anyway. I dated Seth last semester but we didn’t go out. We studied, did lab work, met up at the gym, and grabbed a pizza with classmates on occasion. Nothing serious. Nothing that would allow us to get too close.

The concept of getting dressed up and making small talk with someone new makes me feel like a phony. I know exactly what will happen. We will start off having a good time. We will talk and maybe flirt a little. But that’s where the night ends. No matter how many guys I date, or attempt to date, they will never be him.They will never be Koa.It’s like I’m cursed.

“We’ve talked about getting coffee but he hasn’t asked me out to anything official,” I say.

Charlie slaps her head. “That was him asking you out. You need to text him back and get something setup.”

Lauren catches my eye in the kitchen offering me a sympathetic smile. She may not know how deep my feelings for Koa go, but she knows me.

She’s seen me come home after every date I’ve been on over the past four years. When she would ask how it went, I would hit her with the ‘he’s nice, but there’s no spark.’ It doesn’t take a genius to figure out a standard has been set.

If you can’t surpass the bar set by the man that ripped my heart to pieces, how can I trust you will be enough to put me back together?

The thought of Joe being my mystery guy online excites me. While I didn’t feel an intense attraction to himin person, the way he makes me laugh and smile when we chat online makes up for it. There is potential there.

“Alright, I’ll text him and set up a date.” I need to know for certain if they’re the same person.

If they are, this might be my chance to finally get over Koa Mahina once and for all.

“Scoot over, bro. I need to sit there to balance my plate.” Nash kicks Koa’s shin, forcing him to move to the middle of the couch.

I almost didn’t come over today but I was bored at home. Lauren was occupied with Hart since he just got home from the road. Joe was busy with school assignments and there were crickets on theFiction Forumfrom my mystery man.

Nash texted and asked if I wanted to hang out for some brother-sister time. I didn’t expect Koa would be here, too, but I should have known. Those two will always be together if given the opportunity.

My plans for world domination and getting over him will have to wait another day.

Koa shuffles over and tries his best to stay within his designated cushion space. It isn’t a small couch, but he’s a big guy. I’m sitting with my legs tucked under me in my usual spot. I like propping my book up on the arm of the couch.

The familiarity of the current seating arrangement isn’t lost on me. Nash on one side of the couch, me on the other, and Koa in the middle. We spent many nights and weekends just like this growing up.