Vince

I stare at the TV, wishing I could just crawl into it and not have to face the guys. No one says anything for a few minutes.

"Well I thought he seemed nice." Turtle pipes up eventually. I groan.

"Yeah, he was alright. What do you think Vince?" E asks me. I dare to look at him.

"He seemed fine." I say bluntly.

"You jealous or something bro?" Johnny asks.

"No. Why should I care?" My thinly veiled lie is fooling no one. Not even myself.

"Relax Vin it's just a date. She said herself she's not gonna fuck him! She even said he might be an asshole." Turtle tries to reassure me, clearly not getting that I'm seriously pissed. I don't even get it myself.

"Anyway, what about this birthday party?" I change the subject. Secretly I'm wondering if I can get her attention back on me if I throw her a bash she can't forget.

"Let's get on it right now. 24 hours notice ain't much but if anyone can do it, we can. A club maybe?"

"A boat." I say. Romance comes easy on a boat, top deck with the stars above you. Plus all the best parties are on boats.

"A boat ain't gonna come cheap, Vince." E knows my plan. What is it with him and this girl? Why can't he just let me do my thing without all the little looks and digs?

"Don't worry about it, it's not your money. I'll pay for everything. Turtle, go make some calls. It hasn't gotta be a huge boat, but I want a boat. Venue first, then the guest list. And go somewhere we can get an open bar."

"Alright, I'm on it." Turtle gets up, picking his cellphone up from the side and heading towards his room.

"Hey Johnny, go with him, make sure he doesn't go overboard please?" I ask.

"Nice pun, bro." Johnny says, slapping me on the shoulder and getting up to follow Turtle, leaving me to get to the bottom of this thing with E.

"Alright, what is it?" I ask him. He looks at me and shakes his head like he doesn't know what I'm talking about.

"What's what Vince?"

"What's your problem with Orla?"

"I ain't got a problem with Orla. She's a nice girl."

"So what's the problem?"

"That is the problem." E gets up and sits next to me. "Look, Vince. She's golden. She's been hanging out with us guys and it's been cool, you know? She's not obsessed with just fucking you and telling all her friends about it. You can see how bad she feels about staying here without giving you anything for it ... She ain't using you."

"I know she's not!"

"Exactly. So look ... If you like her, really like her? By all means. Go for it. But it's gonna take more than getting her drunk on a boat for her birthday. She ain't interested in your money. But I've seen the way she's been looking at you bro. Ten bucks says she's into you."

"Then why is she going on a date with some douche?"

"He's not a douche, Vince. He's nice, you know that. I dunno bro, he got there first. She even said she wouldn't go. If you do like her - and I mean, don't just wanna fuck her - then I think give it some time. Get to know her better. It's only been a day, and look how hung up on her you are already. It's Mandy Moore again."

"It is not Mandy Moore again."

"Well I hope not. I don't wanna see you hurt. But I don't wanna see her hurt either. Try and be her friend before you go for it. Get to know her better. Especially as you know she ain't got nowhere else to go." I sigh, knowing E is probably right. It doesn't feel like a day. I'm not sure I've ever been so interested in someone I've known for a day. At least not to the extent that I'm jealous that they're hanging out with someone else.

"Alright. I'll be good."

"Good. Now what are you gonna get her for her birthday?"

"Already taken care of."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I saw her really looking at this one dress when we were in town today. I called the store earlier and they're putting one by. I'm gonna pick it up early tomorrow."

"Early?"

"Yeah, like 8."

"You're gonna be out of the house by 8, to pick up a dress? You must really fucking want her."

"I think I do, E." I look him in the eyes, gauging a reaction. He stares at me for a second, then lets out a big breath and throws himself back on the couch.

"Holy shit, a confession? We're in trouble."