The Love Hack

Ben

I didn't know how things could get worse, and even as that thought crossed my mind, I immediately regretted it because I had a feeling I would jinx it. I mean, this was Arty—there was always another scheme waiting just around the corner, crazier and more desperate than the last. And there I would be, standing next to him, dragged along into another half-baked disaster.

Hearing about Arty's dates with Leo was torture enough. Hell, I couldn't even fall asleep just knowing that they were out together. The whole night I felt my chest clenched as if I was holding my breath.

I should have felt relieved, finally getting a break from all the strategizing, pep talks, and endless obsessing. But instead, the silence gnawed at me, filling in with images of how the date could be going. I kept my phone close, almost hoping Arty would text about something going wrong just so I'd have an excuse to go find him.

The thought that he would eventually come home brought me a small, twisted sort of comfort. Because no matter how alluring or attractive or captivating or downright fucking magical Leo was, eventually Arty would end up back here—with me. And as messed up as that sounded, it was the only thing that kept me from climbing the walls.

But now Arty wanted me to go along on this date—to be there, watching him with Leo, playing the part of his best friend and wingman. Just the thought of it made me want to revisit the contents of my stomach . It was one thing hearing about it after the fact. I could prepare, brace myself for the impact. It was another thing entirely to sit there, pretending to be unfazed, and talk him up to Leo as I watched him hang on every word, as I watched him lean in, as I watched the dozens of insignificant touches that eventually led to something and–

I forced myself to stop from finishing that thought. I dragged a hand through my hair, pulling not-so-gently on a strand to bring me back to reality. I was going to have to just suck it up. We were best friends, this is what best friends did—they showed up for each other when it matters. And right now, Arty needed me.

Plus, it was inevitable. One day, whether it was Leo or not, Arty was going to date someone. And then he may even love that someone. And then he'd probably move out. And he would do it all with or without my help.

So, the only question really, was did I want to be a part of Arty's life?

That was the single thought that propelled me as I pulled on a pair of clean-ish cargo pants, staring down the barrel of this double-date tonight.

Once I was dressed and my hair looked somewhat tamed, I found myself pacing around the living room, anxiously awaiting Arty's arrival.

"You look like shit," Jonah commented as he passed through the living room on his way to the kitchen.

"Thank you, Jonah," I replied, sarcastically.

"No problem, bro," he said passively as he walked away, returning back to his room with a box of cereal in hand.

That was a whole separate issue. I felt the rift between Jonah and I growing larger with each passing day, and sometimes I wondered if it was because Arty had moved in. Before, Jonah used to talk to me about

school and girls. Now, he largely kept to his room, only exiting when he required sustenance.

Before I could mull on it much longer, the front door flung open and Arty thundered in with a giant smile on his face, like a child on Christmas morning. "Ben! You won't believe the date I have lined up for you tonight," Arty exclaimed, excitedly.

"Oh?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light and inquisitive despite the anxiety that was creeping up my spine. I felt the frown on my face and tried to correct it into a forced smile.