I wonder if that’s the very reason why Noah brought me here—to avoid prying eyes. But it still doesn’t give me any idea as to what exactly we’re going to discuss here.
“I have a proposition for you,” he finally says, after giving our orders—vanilla shake for me while burger sliders and iced tea for him—to a waitress.
A proposition? Now, I’m intrigued.
I rest my chin on my hands. “I’m listening.”
“You want to get Linc’s attention, right? Get him to notice you?”
Yes! “No.”
He grins. “Of course you do. You wouldn’t have written down the names of your future kids in your journal otherwise.”
I gape. “You said you didn’t read it!”
“And I was telling the truth. I just accidentally flipped to that one page. I got curious—can you blame me? But I swear, only that page. I didn’t dare check the other ones.”
My eyes narrow at him even as my cheeks flame. I can’t tell if he’s lying.
But then, so what? It doesn’t really matter either way. I’ve already humiliated myself when he found out about my journal. This is just the cherry on top.
Besides, as I said, I’m interested to hear what he has to say.
“Fine. Just tell me about this proposition of yours.”
Noah leans back on his seat like he has all the time in the world. “Easy. I’m going to help you win him over.”
Um, what?
“Can you repeat that? I think I heard you wrong.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Then you have to be kidding.”
“Nope. Serious as a heart attack.”
“But why? And how?”
He's about to explain further, but then our orders arrive, effectively grabbing his attention.
I spend the next several minutes sipping on my vanilla shake and impatiently watching Noah chow down his food.
So that's his major proposition? To help me with Lincoln? I...I have so many questions.
He must have mistaken my impatience for hunger. He pushes the last burger slider my way. “Go on. Eat.”
I slide it back to him. “I’m not hungry.”
“Okay.” He shrugs. “All mine then.” He finishes off the burger in two big bites.
I give him an expectant look. “So, you were saying?”
He lets out an unapologetic burp, then smiles. "As I said, I'm going to help you get your boy."
“And how are you planning to do that?”
“Just think of me as your wingman.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Noah smirks. “Just leave it to me.”
That’s what I’m afraid of.
******
Noah wants to help me get Lincoln’s attention. He had to be joking when he said that. Only he looked totally serious.
I don’t even know what got into him. Is he bored out of his mind and entertaining himself through me? What am I, a comedian?
“Maybe he really wants to help. Maybe he felt like he owed you for messing with you,” Sabrina rationalizes, applying Babydoll Pink polish on her toenails.
“Or maybe he’s still messing with you,” Morgan counters, pointing her Black on Black nail polish at me.
After Noah drove me home from Bobby's, I called them both to tell them about his ridiculous proposal. Apparently, it warranted an impromptu sleepover. So here we are, congregating in my room even if it's a school night.
Morgan’s comment makes me pause from applying Endless Blue polish on my toes. “You think he’s still messing with me?”
Can Noah be that cruel? Is he just playing with my feelings?
“Ignore her. She’s just being a Debbie Downer.”
Morgan rolls her eyes at Bree. “Oh, please. You know it’s a possibility.”
I know that, too. Which is why I didn't outright agree to Noah's proposition. I told him I'd think about it. But is there even anything to think about? How can I know if he's serious?
I don’t even know the details. He refused to elaborate his plan. He simply said to leave it to him. Does he even have a plan at all?
Ugh. So many questions.
“I say just go with it,” Bree says. “Just let Noah do his thing and play along. This is Lincoln we’re talking about, Ri. You’ve had a crush on him since forever. Getting him to notice you will be like a dream come true.”
Morgan scoffs, gathering her long dark red hair—which is streaked with black highlights—into a high tail. “Or your worst nightmare.”
Bree and I both glare at her.
“Fine.” She raises her hands in surrender. “I’ll stop being a downer. Just...be careful, okay? You want to end up with a boyfriend, not with a broken heart.”
Will Lincoln really end up as my boyfriend?
The thought makes me break out in a big, goofy smile. But I try to suppress it. “I guess I’ll give it a go, huh?”
Morgan smirks. “Was there even a doubt?”
“Uh, guys? You have to see this.” Bree is staring out my window.
Morgan and I exchange glances before clambering over and looking out in the same direction.
What’s going—Oh. Noah is standing in the Pritchett’s front porch and talking to a girl. Her back is facing us, but I can tell who she is.
“Is that Laura Ackerman? I thought she broke up with him,” I say.
“Why is she carrying a box?”
“I think she’s returning all the things he gave her,” Bree says.
“They’ve only dated for like a year. How much stuff could he have given her in such a short time?”
I shrug. “Maybe he was generous with her.”
We watch as Laura pushes the box into Noah’s chest then says something to him one last time, before walking back to her friends who are waiting for her in her convertible.
Noah watches her walk away with an impassive look on his face. Then as if he senses us watching them, his eyes flick up to my window.
The three of us scramble to move away from his line of sight.
“You think he saw us?” I whisper.
“I don’t think so,” Bree whispers back.
“Why are we whispering?” Morgan asks in the same tone.
My eyes go round. “I don’t know.”
That’s it. We all burst out laughing.
When our laughter ends, I ask, "Do you think that's the reason why he propositioned me?"
Bree frowns. “What do you mean?”
"He's depressed about their breakup, so he's using my situation with Lincoln as a distraction. Morg, you said so yourself, right?" My eyebrows pull together, and I hug my knees. "Although it doesn't make sense. He didn't seem affected when I told him Laura was glaring at us in the parking lot. He didn't even look like he cared at all."
“Wait.” Morgan stares at me. “Laura did what? You didn’t tell us that.”
“Because I didn’t think it was important.” I stare off at the wall. Was it the reason why Laura decided to return Noah’s stuff? Did she assume he already moved on—with me?
No. Surely, she wouldn’t think that.
“She probably thought you and Noah are dating now,” Bree says.
Morgan snickers. “And it’s probably driving her insane.”
Oh, no. Did I unintentionally paint a target on my back?
I bite my lip. “Should I be worried?”
“Nah,” Morgan says just as Bree mutters a quiet, “Probably not.”
But it doesn’t escape my notice that they’re not meeting my eyes.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Honey, your ride is here.”
I freeze from applying lip gloss, my hand stilling midair. Grabbing my phone, I swipe at the screen to check the time.
It’s still early.
Wait.
Morgan wasn’t supposed to pick me up today.
I finish applying the gloss anyway, and quickly grab my bag from the bed before heading downstairs.
I look
for Mom to say goodbye. But she’s nowhere to be found. Must be outside talking to Morgan. But when I step out the front door, it’s not my bestie’s car I see.
It’s Noah’s Jeep.
And Noah is leaning against it, wearing his letter jacket and signature grin as he talks to my mom.
Wait. What is he—Oh. He’s the ride.
Blowing out a breath, I approach them.
Noah stands straight when he sees me. “Hey, ready to go?”
“Um, I’m taking my bike—”
“No need. I’ll drive you.”
“But why?”
“Riley, don’t be rude,” Mom chides.
I open my mouth to respond, but my gaze lands on her shirt, and I have to stifle a groan instead of an eye roll.
She’s wearing one of those “make love, not war” shirts she loves to parade around in. And this one clearly depicts a silhouette of a couple having sex.
Seriously, Mom? Cheeks burning, I turn to Noah. “Can we go now?”
He nods, trying not to laugh at the look on my face, and rounds to the driver’s side.
“See you later, Mom,” I mutter, kissing her on the cheek.
“So you and Noah, huh?” Mom gives me a conspiratorial smile. “Sweetie, I had no idea. Does Kathy know about the two of you?”
“Oh my God, Mom!” I snap, wide-eyed. Is she on a roll or what? “No, we’re not together.” I look over my shoulder at Noah. “Please keep your voice down.” Stop embarrassing me!
“Oh.” She looks disappointed. Is she actually...rooting for me and Noah to be together?
Ugh. Gross.
“Leaving now.” I climb into the Jeep, fully weirded out.
“What was that all about?” Noah says as he pulls out of the curb.
I fold my arms. “I don’t know. You tell me. Why are you driving me to school?”
“I told you I’d help you with Linc.”
“And this is helping how?”
“We need to strategize.”
My brows shoot up. “We? Isn't this whole thing your great idea? Besides, you said to just leave it to you. Now, suddenly you want my input?"
“This is for your own benefit, yes? So you should be involved.”
“But is it really?” I accuse, looking out the window.
I see him shoot me a sideways glance from the corner of my eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
I turn back to him. “I mean, this is all so shady. Why did you decide to help me in the first place? You didn’t even elaborate on that.”
“What are you really saying, Ellison?”
“What’s in it for you?”
“What, I can’t help a friend out?”
“Please. You know we’re not friends. We’re just…neighbors.”
“But our mothers are. That means something.”
“Yeah, to them.” I roll my eyes. “Come on, we never even talk to each other. We don’t even say hi when we pass each other at school.”
"Maybe I want to change that. Maybe I realized we'd wasted so much time ignoring each other when we could have been friends all along. And this is a step in the right direction."
I snort. “You know what I think?”
“Please do tell,” he says sarcastically.
“I think you want Laura back, and you need my help for that to happen,” I say smugly.
He fake-gasps, his eyes going round. “Oh my God! How did you know?”
I make a face. “Funny.”
A low chuckle erupts from his throat. “Relax, Ellison. I’m just messing with you.”
Ugh. “Why?”
“Because you’re fun to mess with.” He grins, reaching out and pinching my nose.
Scowling, I swat his hand away. “But I’m right, aren’t I? This is all because of Laura. Admit it. You want to get back together with her.”
Maybe their breakup really made him miserable or something. He did look a little sad last night when his ex-girlfriend returned his stuff.
“Why would I want to get back with someone who dumped me?” he scoffs, pulling into the school’s parking lot and settling in an empty spot.
“Because you still love her?”
He just snorts but doesn't comment. Did I hit a nerve?
“Noah—”
But he’s already climbing out of the Jeep, then rounding to my side. He opens my door. “Sit with us at lunch.”
"Um, what?" I get out of the Jeep, and he closes the door behind me.
“You need to get close to Linc. You need to be in his line of sight as much as possible. So from now on, you’re sitting with us during lunch.”
“But what about my friends?”
“What about them?” He starts to walk.
I quickly catch up. “You know I always sit with them.”
“And they can’t have lunch without you?”
“Of course, they can.”
“Then they’ll live.”
I halt my steps, scowling at his back.
Looking over his shoulder, he drawls, “Coming?”
Rolling my eyes, I run up to him. “So, what’s next then? You’re going to put me through a makeover and make me look pretty?”
He suddenly stops—causing me to do the same—his eyes flicking over my white top, denim skirt and black ankle boots. “Why would I do that? You’re already pretty.”
I don’t know if he means it, but it makes me blush. “Wow. Um, thanks.”
He smirks. “Now, now. Don’t let it go to your head.”
“As if. I’m not you, you know.”
“Are you saying I’m cocky?” He pouts, giving me a mock-wounded look.
“Well—”
“Hi, Noah.” A group of girls passes by, interrupting me as they greet him in unison.
Noah stands straighter, a confident smirk breaking across his face. “Hey, ladies.” His smirk turns into an appreciative grin as he watches them walk away, their hips swinging with each step.
I shake my head. “Oh, not at all, Pritchett. Not at all.”
******
I can’t believe you’re sitting with them right now.
Glancing up, I look over a few tables down to where Bree, Morgan and I usually sit together with some friends—to see that both of them are staring right here.
At me, specifically.
I guess Bree and Morgan didn't take me seriously when I told them I'd be sitting with Noah and Lincoln in the cafeteria. Well, Aaron Payne is sitting between Lincoln and me, but you get my point.
Anyway, I really thought my besties believed me when I said that. But judging by Morgan’s expression of disbelief and the frown on Bree’s face as she continues to blow up my phone, it’s safe to say they misunderstood me.
“Stop texting. You’re not going to get Linc’s attention if you don’t socialize,” Noah whispers against my ear.
“Well, what do you want me to say to him?” I whisper back, putting my phone away.
“Are you serious? Do you want me to write you a script?”
Ass. I elbow him in the stomach.
“Ow!”
"Don't you guys look cute." Lindsay York has a slight smirk on her face as she looks between Noah and me.
"You don't say." Tabitha Wilson tosses her light auburn hair over her shoulder and sips on her sugar-free coke. "Although, Noah, don't you think this is a little soon to date someone new?" Her eyes flick to me for a second, and I don't miss the way her nose scrunches up. "After all, it's only been a few days since you and Laura broke up."
My neck grows hot. This is what I'm afraid of—Laura and her friends getting their claws on me. I'm just glad Laura herself isn't around to torment me. It's already bad enough that Lindsay and Tabitha are ganging up on me.
Aaron groans. “Babe, seriously?”
Oh, right. He and Tabitha are known to hook up every now and then.
She ignores him though, her eyes still fixed on me. “Kelly, is it?”
God, I hate being put on the spot. Especially when Li
ncoln is around to hear everything. Even now, I can feel his eyes boring into the side of my head.
I take a deep breath, my heart pounding, and force a smile. “It’s Riley. And no, we’re not dating.”
“Just drop it, Tabitha, okay?” Noah intervenes. I silently urge him to agree with what I said, but he doesn’t.
Lindsay puts her hand on her mouth dramatically. “You mean it’s supposed to be hush-hush? I’m sorry, did we just blow your cover?”
Tabitha mock-winces. "Oops."
My face is practically beet red now. "As I said, we're not dating. Not at all. We're just, um, working on something together. I'm helping him out."
Please don’t ask what. Please don’t ask what.
Noah raises an eyebrow. “You’re helping me out?”
Shut up! I silently glare. He’s not even helping.
“Oh, thank God,” Tabitha says. “Just imagine what everyone would say if that was the case.”
Lindsay nods. “True.”
“What would they say?” I quietly ask.
“Oh, you know,” Tabitha waves a hand. “That Noah went from Laura to someone”—she motions to me—“well, you know.”
Like me. I stare down at my half-eaten tray.
“You know how mean people can be, Kelly.”
“Riley.” I grit my teeth, snapping my eyes back to her. “I know exactly how mean people can be. Even when they pretend they’re not.”
She looks a little taken aback at my quip. Like she can’t believe I’m capable of talking back.
As if I’d stay quiet and let her insult me.
“Leave her alone,” Noah finally snaps, coming to my defense. “Where’s Laura, anyway?”
Lindsay is the one who responds, but I don’t bother to listen.
I’m reeling from that small confrontation. Is this how it’s going to be from now on? I’ll have to brace myself from being cornered by these girls?
All because Noah decided to make me his little project in order to win his ex-girlfriend back.
But how is this going to help me win Lincoln when Lindsay and Tabitha have made it appear that Noah and I are dating?
Worrying my bottom lip, I give Lincoln a sideways glance, only to catch him staring at me.
Then he smiles, and I feel the air rush out of my lungs.
Say Anything Page 3
