“Vote for your True Love contestants!” was scrawled across the top of the page, with one box allocated for the male vote and ten boxes for the female.
I scrunched the paper up into a ball and sat back as the others in class scribbled away on their voting forms. This competition was ridiculous. I just couldn’t believe I was the only one in the school who thought so.
2
Cole
Madison Matthews was my kryptonite. Anytime I got near the girl, I managed to turn from Superman into Clark Kent. Only my version of Clark Kent seemed to be a raging asshole. I always said the wrong thing around her, and even when I said the right thing, she took it the wrong way. I couldn’t win, and I’d almost given up trying.
Almost, but not quite. It seemed like the only way I could get her to interact with me was by being a jerk, so I’d resigned myself to the role a long time ago. I wasn’t ready to let it go. Not if it meant I didn’t get to speak to her at all.
I sat diagonally behind her in English, watching as she glared down at the voting form she’d just scrunched into a tiny ball. Her scowl was quite cute, in a way. Only Madi could get angry at a piece of paper.
“Stare at that paper any longer, and it’s going to burst into flames,” I said, leaning forward on my desk so she could hear me.
She turned in her chair, and the deadly laser beams that had been narrowed on her voting slip became focused on me. Despite the hate-filled glare, I found myself tuning out for a second as I stared into her grey-blue eyes. They were the color of a swirling ocean in the middle of a thunderstorm, and every time she narrowed them on me, it always took me a moment to snap back to attention.
“Leave me alone, Cole,” she replied.
I wasn’t ready to leave her alone though. I never was. “Did you vote for me?” I asked, raising my eyebrows at her.
“As if I want to watch you sleaze over a bunch of poor girls.”
I sat back and placed my hand over my heart. “Oh, Matthews, you wound me.” I lowered my head and pretended to wipe a tear from under my eye, but I was surprised to find that underneath my act I genuinely felt slightly hurt by her comment. Did she really think I was a sleaze?
“Yeah, you look inconsolable,” she replied.
“Want to know who I voted for?” I asked, forcing a grin back onto my face.
“Nope.”
“Of course you do,” I replied.
“No, I’m really not interested.”
“You sure?” I asked, holding my voting form up for her to see.
She gave an exasperated sigh before focusing on the form. I could almost see the moment realization struck her. Her cheeks turned red, and her eyes looked like they wanted to explode from her skull.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” she asked, her angry gaze flickering back to me.
I laughed, delighted by the reaction. I glanced at the page, pretending to look thoughtful. I’d only written two names down: Madi’s and mine. I’d also decorated the page a little. “You think the love hearts are too much?” I asked in my most serious tone.
“You can’t submit that,” she said, reaching out to grab it from me. I was too fast though and quickly moved it out of her reach with another grin.
“Sure I can. I can vote for whoever I like.” I placed the form down on my table, the smile on my face growing bigger. I was enjoying this way too much.
“No one wants to see you as the bachelor,” she said.
“Sure they don’t,” I replied, leaning back in my chair and putting my hands behind my head. I couldn’t help but notice as her gaze flickered toward the muscles on my arms.
“Fine, some of the idiots on your football team might want to watch you make a fool of yourself. But no one’s going to vote for me. Everyone knows I’m with Jake.”
She looked satisfied with her argument, as though she’d just proven she was right. But I simply shrugged. “We’ll see,” I said. “We both know you have one vote at least.”
She scowled at me one last time before turning back to the front of the room. Her dark locks fell across her face as she did, forming a curtain between her expression and me. Her shoulders were still tense, and she started tapping her pen against the table. I felt a wave of satisfaction over her reaction. I’d gotten to her, and I was definitely still on her mind. Although, it was unlikely she was thinking anything good.
“I heard you were flirting with Madi again in English,” Tanner said, as we walked into the cafeteria. I lifted my brows in surprise. I didn’t realize anyone in the class had been watching us, let alone taking note of our interaction.
“Flirting?” I protested. “I was just giving her a hard time.”
“That’s pretty much the same thing with you, bro.”
I frowned, rubbing my neck as we paused at the back of the lunch line. How did Tanner even know about it? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He always seemed to be the first person to hear any rumors that were spreading around the school. It was pretty useful having Tanner as a best friend because I tended to find out second.
“Who told you this?” I asked.
“Lee.”
“Lee’s not in my English class…”
Tanner shrugged in reply.
“Right.” I shook my head at the ridiculousness of it all. The school had a vicious gossip circuit. I tried to stay out of it for the most part, but this wasn’t the first time I’d heard people talking about me. It wasn’t like I was some wallflower.
“Let’s just hope Jake doesn’t hear about it too,” Tanner said. “We don’t need any more bust-ups on the field, and you know how he hates you talking with his girl.”
“Too right,” I agreed. Jake was always ready to blow a gasket over things, especially when it came to Madi. Two of our teammates had nearly ended up in hospital last year after he found out they’d voted for her on that stupid hot list that went around. I had refused to participate in the list, which was lucky, as I probably would’ve picked Madi as well.
“Though who knows how long they’ll be together after the weekend…” Tanner added.
I paused as I made my way down the lunch line and turned to look at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Did you see Jake at Lee’s party on the weekend?” Tanner asked.
“Briefly,” I shrugged. “The dude looked wasted.”
“No more than usual. Apparently, Laurie was all over him.”
I frowned before glancing over at our table. Jake was already sitting there with Madi at his side. Laurie was seated a few places down from the two of them, but I could see her trying to catch Jake’s eye.
“He cheated on Madi?” I asked, trying to control my temper. The words felt like acid in my mouth, and I had the sudden urge to punch something—or someone.
Tanner shook his head. “I don’t think so. I just heard that they were close and he wasn’t really pushing her away.”
I lifted an eyebrow at Tanner. That definitely didn’t sound promising. Laurie could be relentless when she wanted something. I’d been the subject of her desire before, and it had taken weeks to get her to leave me alone. She was one of the hottest girls in school, but also one of the craziest, and I didn’t need that kind of shit in my life.
“Does Madi know?” I asked.
“Probably not,” Tanner replied. “Why? Are you going to tell her?”
“No,” I muttered. Talking to Madi about something like that probably wouldn’t end well for Jake, her or me. Still, it was tempting. Jake had put a stop to my friendship with Madi when they started dating. He’d threatened me not to go near her, and I’d been stupid enough to listen. I didn’t want to break the bro-code. I let Madi and I drift apart and never told her why. She was clearly hurt by that, and by the time I started talking to her again she was so cold towards me that the only way I knew how to handle her was through jokes and teasing.
It was stupid that I blamed Jake for the rift between Madi and I. I knew I was mostly to blame. Still, it would be slightly po
etic if I were the one to break them up. I only thought about it for a second before I knew I couldn’t go through with it. There was no way I could hurt her that way.
“She just deserves better,” I added.
Tanner laughed at my comment. “What, like you?”
I didn’t like the way he was grinning at me. Was the thought of Madi and me together really so weird?
“I’d be a great boyfriend,” I said.
“Maybe.” He looked unconvinced. “But not with Madi. You two would kill each other.”
He was probably right.
As we carried our trays of food back to our table, I found myself studying Madi. She was chatting happily with Hayley, who was sitting next to her. There was no hint that she was upset and she definitely didn’t seem to notice the way Laurie was making eyes at her boyfriend. She really must have no idea about Saturday night.
It really wasn’t my place to tell her. Tanner said that nothing happened, and it’s not like I was there to see it with my own two eyes. I blew out a long breath as I placed my tray on the table and took a seat. I decided I wouldn’t say anything—for now. But I was definitely keeping an eye on the situation.
Even after I sat down, I couldn’t focus on my food, or what Tanner was saying from beside me. I found my eyes were still drawn to Madi. She was nothing like the rest of the girls at our table. They all had so much makeup caked on they looked ten years older, but Madi didn’t appear to be wearing any. She was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, while the other girls were sporting short skirts and heels. They must have hated her for looking better than them without trying.
It wasn’t just her outfit that was different though. Her whole personality was completely at odds with the other girls in our group. They were all laughing loudly, and shouting over one another to be heard. Madi had never been that way though. She was quiet, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t heard. It seemed like everyone was always drawn to her. People would quieten down when she spoke, wanting to listen to what she had to say.
She was doodling something on her napkin, and I tilted my head to try and see what it was. I was interrupted before I got a chance to get a good look at it though.
“I didn’t see you at the party on Saturday night,” a voice purred beside me.
I glanced down at Laurie, wishing I hadn’t somehow ended up next to her. The girl was the worst kind of toxic. One whiff of her and it was like the poison was in your bloodstream for life.
“I wasn’t there long. I had an early start on Sunday,” I replied bluntly.
She draped herself on my arm. “I missed you,” she said. She glanced over at Jake for a brief second before focusing back on me. There was no way I was playing this game with her.
“Funny, can’t say I felt the same.” I was normally much more gentle when letting girls down, but that tactic didn’t work when it came to Laurie. Give her an inch and she’d swallow you whole. “And can I steal my arm back, please? I kind of need it to eat.”
She grunted unhappily but detracted her nails from where they’d lodged in my skin.
“I voted for you to be the True Love bachelor,” she said, her gaze still focused on me. “If I’m one of your girls, will you give me a rose?” She pouted her bottom lip and fluttered her long eyelashes.
“Depends,” I replied.
“On…” There was a warning tone in her voice.
“How much the audience likes you,” I replied. “This is for charity after all. And if you’re not bringing in the dollars…”
A sense of determination filled her eyes. “Oh, the audience will love me. You’ll see.”
She spoke about it like she was already a sure bet. Since she was pretty popular, I guessed it was highly likely she’d be picked. There were ten places for the girls, after all.
I glanced around the table, wondering if any of our other friends would be selected. I felt certain that some of the girls would be picked, though it was a little harder to know if any of the guys would, seeing as there was only one being chosen.
When my eyes landed on Madi, I had to smother a smile. She was so confident that she wouldn’t be voted for. But I had a strong feeling she was about to be proved wrong, and I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when they called her name.
3
Madison
Everyone from school was packed into the gym. Laurie and half the cheer squad had even arrived early to reserve some of the seats at the front. I got along with those girls well enough, but they weren’t really my friends. Not in the same way Hayley was.
The two of us ended up closer to the back of the bleachers, sitting with some of the girls from my drama class. There was something about drama that bonded kids together in a way none of the other classes at school did.
“Who’d you vote for?” Teagan asked as I sat down beside her. She’d been the lead in our last three school productions, and I was pretty sure the girl was going to end up in Hollywood one day. It wasn’t just because of her white blonde hair, dazzling green eyes, and perfect skin either. She was just that talented.
“No one,” I said. “It’s not really my thing.”
“It’s for charity,” Teagan said with a tsk. “It’s everyone’s thing.”
“I for one hope you all voted for me to be one of the lucky ladies,” Evan said, coming to sit on the other side of Hayley.
“You going to sweep our dashing bachelor off his feet?” I asked.
“Oh, no. He’s the one who’ll be doing all the sweeping,” Evan said, making us all laugh. If whoever was picked to be the bachelor swung even slightly that way, I had no doubt Evan would win. Evan looked like he belonged in a boy band. He was gorgeous, funny and had a heart of gold.
“I think we all know it’s just going to be a lineup of girls in cheerleading uniforms,” Teagan said, her shoulders sinking. “No offense, Hayley.”
“None taken,” Hayley replied. “Just as long as it’s not me. No boy here has enough chest hair to get a date with me.”
“You and me both,” Evan agreed. “We should really go out together one night, Hayles. I know a great uni-bar downtown that rarely IDs. Lots of hot older guys.”
“You had me at uni-bar,” she grinned.
The room began to quieten as the principal stepped onto the platform erected in the center of the basketball court and stood in front of the microphone stand.
“Many of our lives have been affected by the fires that came through here last year,” Mrs. Green began, her monotone voice vibrating softly through the speakers around the gym. “As a way of giving back to the community and helping those who lost so much in the devastation, your student council has set up a contest to help raise much-needed funds. Please welcome your student council president, Mr. Angus Fable, to tell you more.”
The room erupted in a cheer as Angus leaped onto the stage. He pulled the microphone from the stand and strode around the small stage, soaking up the applause. He grinned brightly at the crowd, not an ounce of nerves showing on his face. I’d hate to have to speak in front of the whole school, but Angus thrived on the attention.
“Thank you, Lincoln High!” he shouted into the microphone, causing the speakers to screech awkwardly. It didn’t throw Angus off his game though.
“You have all voted, and it means so much to this community,” he said. “I can’t wait to get this contest started. The film club is ready to record every romantic minute, and you’ll be able to watch a new episode every Sunday night. And, of course, you can vote for your favorite contestants each week, for a small fee, all for a good cause.”
There was a smattering of applause, led by Principal Green, who was beaming proudly at Angus. I really seemed to be the only person who wasn’t excited about the True Love contest.
“Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for,” Angus called, waving a piece of paper above his head. “I have the results!”
The room went wild again, and Angus grinned broadly at the reaction. Looking around me I could see
eager anticipation on every student’s face. I’d really underestimated how much interest there was in this competition.
“When your name is called, please make your way down to the stage. I’ll start with our bachelor. Drum roll please…”
The students began slamming their feet against the ground, and the stands rumbled with the sound.
“And your bachelor is…none other than Lincoln High’s star football player, Cole Kingston!”
Screams erupted and people jumped to their feet at the announcement. I slowly stood so I could see over everyone’s heads. There was no cheering or clapping from me though.
“Why the hell would they pick him?” I asked Teagan.
She shook her head at me but smiled. “Have you seen Cole? Why wouldn’t they pick him?”
I looked back toward where Angus was standing to find that Cole had joined him. Cole was grinning broadly as he stood on the stage and lapped up the attention. Tilting my head, I tried to understand what everyone else saw in him.
As I watched him shake Angus’ hand, Cole seemed to have a genuine smile on his face. He had a nice smile—I had to admit that. But he usually reserved a cruel smirk for me. His dirty blonde hair was also always messy. It was constantly hanging in his eyes, and he looked like he needed a good haircut. He was ripped, which I guess all the girls loved. His face must have been what really pulled them in though. He was unbelievably handsome. Even I couldn’t deny that.
Still, there had to be sweeter guys out there; kinder, more considerate boys, who wouldn’t enjoy the opportunity to break nine girls' hearts into a million pieces. Cole was like a god this school worshipped, and that was fine, but he was also a jerk and obviously not the right person for this contest. Lincoln High had picked the wrong bachelor.
“Alright, alright,” Angus called into the microphone. “Settle down, kids. We still need to announce our lovely ladies.”
The crowd quickly fell silent, but a few whispers remained as people tried to predict whose name would be called first.
The Wrong Bachelor Page 2
