You Push Him On

“Hey, you look kinda down,” You say as you sit near Rick.

“It’s just the thing with Liz,” Rick says. “You know I thought we had something there, but last night she just gave me the cold shoulder.”

“Have you tried talking to her since her date?”

“Nah, bro. Like I said. She’s completely iced me out. We didn’t even have a cuddle in bed last night,” Rick says somberly and picks up his mug and sips on his coffee. “I haven’t really played the field yet, though so… I kind of put all my eggs in her basket.”

That’s not good. You need to keep Rick focused on Liz.

“I think you should go try to talk to Liz,” You say. “Just clear the air between you too. You have no clue if she likes Jamie or not.”

“Her head’s turned,” Rick says. He looks to be sinking into a sort of depression. “I don’t know. I’m going to try to talk to other girls today. I haven’t really given them a chance.”

“Oh…” You chew and start browsing your phone. “Did you have someone in mind?”

“Paige? She’s hot. Now that Tom’s moving forward with Jenna, that might be an option.”

That’s not good.

“What about Rachel?” You suggested.

You glance over Rachel’s profile on your phone while forking away at your food with the other hand.

“Her and Mike seem pretty tight,” Rick said with his mouth half full of eggs.

“I think Paige really likes tall guys. Rachel said she likes guys with tattoos, and you have some so…” You say and then chew on more of your breakfast.

“Really?” Rick said.

You nod. It was the truth. Rachel’s profile showed she liked guys with tattoos. There wasn’t a mark against shorter guys too. You needed to buy time. There was no way Paige would fall for Rick, but if they develop a closer bond than you and her, it would mean she would save Rick instead of you at the next recoupling.

Rick ate contemplatively and glanced over at Rachel. Mike was eating with Tom, Jenna and Liz and Rachel was eating with Paige and Jamie. He could be looking at Rachel or at Paige. It was hard to tell cause it was the same direction.

Rick finishes his meal and puts away his plates, and then you see him walk towards Rachel, Paige, and Jamie's direction.

You keep one eye glued to what’s happening with Rick and the other on your meal. Rick decides to walk over towards Rachel and begins his conversation with Rachel.

Phew.

Rachel nods and says goodbye to Paige and walks to a garden area to have a private conversation. You check over at Mike, and he is watching this whole thing go down, with a bit of a sour expression. Liz, who is coupled currently with Rick, also looks sadden. Gossiping starts between the group after witnessing the whole thing unfold. You can roughly hear their conversation from your area.

“What do you think that was about?” Mike asked.

“You think Rick is interested in Rachel? No way, dude,” Tom says.

“Kind of came from nowhere. He was all into Liz only,” Jenna says.

“I’m right here, guys. Just pay no attention to me,” Liz says.

“Is everything alright between you two?” Mike asks.

“I don’t know. He’s been distant ever since my date with Jamie,” Liz says. “If he wants to talk to me about it, he can talk to me about it.”

“Are you still interested in him?” Jenna asks.

“Like it’s hard. I was initially, but if he’s going to act all grouchy cause I went on a date with Jamie, then I don’t know. Like I didn’t even pick to go on a date with him, so it’s not like it was my choice,” Liz says.

“He’s too proud,” Tom says. “You got to talk to him.”

“He knows where I’m at. If he wants to talk, he should come to me. I’m not going to run after him,” Liz says.

“If there were a recoupling now, would you pick him or Jamie?” Jenna asks.

Good girl, Jenna. You are doing my job for me.

“Hmm… I don’t know,” Liz says.

Ah crap. She must have changed her mind from last night.

Finishing your meal, you amble towards Paige who was talking with Jamie alone. You had to put a wedge between Paige and Jamie and also keep her single, so she could save you.