by Amanda Ashby
She sat and tucked her feet underneath her. His eyes gleamed as he laced his fingers through hers. For the all the world like boyfriend and girlfriend. She reached for her jellybeans and handed him one.
He raised an eyebrow. “Green? Seriously?”
“What’s wrong with the green ones?” she said.
“Nothing apart from the fact they’re gross. You don’t seriously eat them, do you?”
“Of course I do. If everyone ignores the green ones they might stop making them. Don’t think it won’t happen.”
“Wait. You’re on a mission to save the green jellybeans?” He tugged her hand, drawing her closer.
“Make it sound weird, why don’t you?”
“Don’t worry. I think it’s cute,” he said, his blue eyes gleaming. “So how did Team Toilet go? Did Piper and Gareth kill each other?”
“No. They’re both alive and well,” she said, not bothering to correct the name anymore. “And the meeting was good. But there’s still so much to do.”
He turned onto his side and propped himself up on an elbow. “You’re the most organized person I know. It’s going to be fine. You’re just getting a few pre-match jitters. It’s normal.”
“And you purposely put yourself through this every week?”
“It just means you’re about to do something exciting.”
“Tell that to all the phone calls I have to make. We have eight books of tickets still to sell. Oh, and—”
“Anyone tell you that you’re cute when you stress?”
“Zac,” she protested, glancing around. Trying to remind him he didn’t need to flirt with her when they were alone was turning into a futile mission.
“Sorry.” He flashed her an unrepentant smile. “So, tell me this, Norah Richmond. What kind of guys do you usually date?”
The flaming heat in her stomach turned to ice. So not the conversation she wanted to have right now. Or ever.
“Why?”
He shrugged, his hand still toying with hers. “I’m trying to figure out why you’re single. Best I can come up with is you had a douche of an ex, or that you don’t date high school guys.”
She swallowed. His words were so matter of fact. As if he actually saw her that way. As someone who dated. Someone who guys wanted to date.
“There’s no ex. Douche or otherwise,” she said, then wrinkled her nose. “I don’t really date much.” Or at all.
“Why not? Too busy saving the world?”
Was he really going to make her say it? Please just dig her a hole to Cambodia where all she had to worry about was sanitation.
“Fine, Zac. The reason I don’t date is because no one’s ever asked me.”
“Seriously?” He shifted from his elbow into a sitting position, his eyes wide.
“Don’t look so surprised.”
He rubbed his face as if trying to search for an explanation. Then he shrugged. “I’m not really. Guys are idiots. This proves it. So, where does the crush fit into this?”
“I told you, there’s no crush,” she said in what she hoped was a convincing voice. Time for a subject change. “And I’m not the only one who doesn’t date. Your single status is legendary. What’s your story?”
“Nothing.” For the first time since he’d crashed into her life, dots of red hit his cheeks. Silence danced between them and she flinched.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to probe.”
“I was with this girl a while back. Ninth grade stuff, but she made it obvious she was only dating me because I was on the team. Date a jock and go to all the parties. We broke up and she started dating Max a week later. Like we were interchangeable. I don’t want to be some dumb soccer player.” He rolled his shoulders. Long lashes brushed his tanned face, and his mouth was tight.
“Stop saying that.” It bugged her the way he kept making jokes at his own expense.
Why couldn’t he see he was so much more than just a soccer player? For a start, he’d singlehandedly sold nearly all the tickets and pulled in most of the donations, all while making jokes and laughing.
He held up his hands. “Sorry. No more dumb jock jokes. All I meant was I don’t want to be part of that dating pool. It’s like musical chairs. Blindfolded.”
Norah’s throat went tight. She’d always assumed all guys wanted to date someone like Kennedy Quinn and her friends. Was he saying he didn’t? That he wanted something else? The usual gleam in his eye was gone, and his jaw was tight. She’d never seen him this serious.
“Mackenzie,” Coach barked from behind them. Zac immediately jumped to his feet with graceful ease and stretched out a hand to help her up.
“Tryouts are next Thursday. You had better bring your A game, and if there are any more screw ups, you’re out. You hear me?”
“Seriously? I’m back in?”
“You’re back in for tryouts, that’s all. You still need to show me you’ve got what I want. But yes. You’re off the bench. So is Anderson.” He growled and marched off without another word.
Zac’s eyes were glowing, and his face was animated as he wrapped his arms around her.
“We did it. The plan worked.”
Tingles raced through her entire body as his arms pressed in around her waist, his scent catching in her nose. Despite herself, she slipped her arms around him.
“Congratulations,” she said, the words half muffled in his shirt. “I’m really happy for you.”
“That makes two of us.” He finally untangled himself. “Couldn’t have done it without you, Norah.”
“Sure,” she said, her heart still pounding. She swallowed as it hit her. The reason for their dating was over. “S-so I guess we don’t need to go to the party now.”
“What?” Some of the glow dimmed and his brows knitted together. “No, we should totally still go.”
“But why? You’re back off the bench. There’s no need.”
A thoughtful gleam appeared in his eyes. He flashed her one of his dangerous smiles and dropped to his knees.
“Correction. There’s definitely a need. Norah Richmond, will you be my date to the party?”
“Zac, you really don’t have to—”
“But I want to. Unless you’re worried it will ruin things with this secret crush of yours. Actually, screw that guy. It’s his fault for not making a move. We should go together and celebrate that our plan worked. What do you say? Your first real date?”
It was a bad idea. The absolute worst. But before she could say no, her crush took over her mouth.
“Okay.”
“Great.” He hugged her again. Another dose of tingles flooded through her. She was going on a date with the boy of her dreams. And even if it was only for one night, she was going to enjoy it. No matter what.
xxxx
“Brushing your hair? What’s the big occasion?” Via wandered into his room. She dropped a pile of clothes onto the floor and sat on his computer chair.
“Pete’s party. I’m taking Norah.” He marched over to his closet for a shirt.
“You’re still going to the party with her? But I thought Coach changed his mind?”
“He did. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still go to a party.” He shrugged on his favorite blue shirt.
“Except you’re going on a date with her, even though you’re no longer fake dating. What am I missing?” Via rubbed her brow.
“It’s not a big deal. Norah’s great, and we’d already arranged to go together. We’re celebrating that the plan worked. And to think you laughed at it.”
“How crazy of me,” Via said in a dry voice. “But hey, I’m pleased you’re going together. Norah’s great. Is there any chance something could happen?”
Was there?
He swallowed. The last thing he wanted was a girlfriend. Except Norah had technically been his girlfriend for almost two weeks and it hadn’t been bad. Hell, it had been great. She was beautiful, funny, and smart. Never had a boyfriend. Never been on a date.
And I really want to k
iss her.
His sister was still studying him. He sighed. “I don’t know. She has a crush on someone. He probably builds houses and saves puppies in his spare time. Sounds like a jerk if you ask me.”
“You’re jealous!”
“What? No I’m not,” he said as a prickle of annoyance hit his chest. It was the same one that always came up when he thought about her stupid crush. “Okay, a little bit. We both know she’s out of my league.”
“Agreed, but it’s always good to date up.” Via patted his arm. “And hey, if she didn’t like you she wouldn’t have said yes to going tonight. If you want my advice, be your regular annoying self. Whatever you’re doing is obviously working.”
“Regular annoying self. Right. That I can do.” He grinned as Via left his room. Tonight he was going to get to the bottom of Norah Richmond and this crush of hers.
10
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come over and help you pick an outfit?” Piper said from down the other end of the phone.
“No, it’s fine. It’s not a big deal. Just a party.” Norah was impressed that it almost sounded like she believed it. Like she was the sort of girl who always went to parties with guys like Zac.
“It’s your first real date,” Piper corrected in a stern voice that suddenly turned into a groan. “Shut up, Gareth, no one cares what you think.”
“You didn’t say G was there. I thought he had a performance.”
“Cancelled. So he came around here to sulk about the fact you’re going on a date.”
“Not sulking,” Gareth’s voice rang out in the background. “Hey, Norah.”
“Hey, G,” she called back. “You good?”
“You mean apart from getting slayed by Piper?” he retorted.
Norah laughed. “Are you two hanging out tonight?”
“Nope,” Piper said coming back on the line. “I have a hot date with SageKnight194. At least he can play. But the minute you get home I want details.”
“I promise.” Norah finished the call and turned to her closet. Last year she’d bought a pair of dark denim jeans she’d never worn because they were tighter than her regular style, but they were cute.
She matched them with a pale blue sweater. As she dragged it over her head, her T-shirt lifted up. Two puckered scars reflected back at her. The first was a long line slicing down her center, and the second was adjacent, running across her abdomen.
As she’d grown older they’d faded from angry red, but they’d never gone away, and they never would. She could get plastic surgery, but after discussing it with her mom she’d decided not to. She’d had her fill of hospitals. And there were other things that mattered in life besides smooth skin.
She quickly covered them up before putting on her white sneakers. She’d taken special care with her hair and there were a few soft curls in it. She’d even put on a bit of makeup. It didn’t manage to hide her freckles, but her cheeks glowed.
The doorbell rang and she jumped.
He was here.
Her mom had decided to go to the movies on her own, which meant there would be no interrogation. Zac, who appeared to have nerves of steel, could handle it, but she wasn’t sure she could. Not the part where it was a fake date that had turned into a real one.
Tucking her phone into her back pocket, she raced to open the door.
The last time he’d been standing on her doorstep he’d been fidgeting, shifting from foot to foot, but this time he was relaxed with a half smile on his face. Her crush let out a little whoosh of excitement.
He was wearing jeans and a navy shirt. His hair was pushed back from his face, making his cheekbones even more dramatic.
“Whoa. Norah. You look—” He paused, as if lost for words. Then he grinned. “You look beautiful.”
“O-oh,” she stammered, once again losing the power of speech. He laughed and held out his arm for her.
“Should we go?”
“Sure.” She gingerly took his arm. Pete lived on the other side of Cricket Bay, and as they drove along the coast, the rising moon illuminated the inky blue rippling water. The other side of the road was dotted with scrubby trees that looked like gnarled fingers desperately trying to form fists.
Zac chatted easily, his conversation punctuated by the drumming of his fingers against the steering wheel, which helped to calm her nerves. Too soon they were there, and he pulled to a stop at the bottom of a long driveway.
“No point parking up the top or we’ll get blocked in and stuck there all night. Trust me, we don’t want that.” He climbed out of the car and walked around to open her door.
She really was getting the full date treatment.
The grass was soft, and she was pleased she’d decided on sneakers because any kind of heel would have sunk down. His hand slipped under her elbow and then found its way to her fingers. It had become such a habit she couldn’t bring herself to let go.
“Don’t look so terrified. I promise they won’t eat you.” He led her along the drive. It was in a sweeping curve, flanked with trees that cast shadows in front of them. Music and glowing lights spilled from the house, punctuated with rising chatter and the occasional holler. Zac winced. “Okay, I can’t promise anything. Some of them are idiots.”
“Are you calling your friends idiots?”
“Absolutely. Full disclosure, most of the time I am too, but I’m on my best behavior tonight.”
They reached the top of the driveway. He’d been right about the cars. There were dozens all parked in front of each other like a badly played game of Tetris. A couple of people ran past as a Frisbee whirled through the air.
“Where are Pete’s parents?”
Zac shrugged. “Not sure. They go away a lot. I think they’re slow learners, because every time they leave, he has another party.” They walked around the side of the house to a terraced area. A group of guys were playing beer pong at a large table, including Pete, who raised an arm in salute.
“Norzac’s here!”
“I’ll drink to that,” Max seconded as they returned to the game. Next to her Zac stiffened. Myles was spread out on a lounger, with Kennedy perched on his lap like a dainty bird. She was wearing a bikini top and high-waisted pants, despite the cooling fall weather.
Suddenly Norah felt overdressed and out of her depth. What was she doing here? She peered around. Most of the other girls were in similar outfits. All exposed smooth flesh, as if it was no big deal. Her pulse hammered in a jumpy rhythm, like it was trying to tell the world she was different. Damaged.
This whole thing was a big mistake.
“So you both turned up. Damn. Looks like I owe Max ten bucks,” Myles slurred. Zac tightened his fingers in hers.
“Almost wish we’d stayed away. Everyone’s trashed. What time did this thing start?” Zac said, glancing around.
“No idea.” Myles shrugged as his arm snaked possessively around Kennedy’s waist. “You two want to join us in the hot tub?”
There’d been no mention of a hot tub, though it did explain the bikini Kennedy was wearing. From somewhere down on the terrace there was a splash of water. Her throat tightened at the thought of being so exposed.
“Pass. We’re going to have a look around, but don’t let us stop you,” Zac said.
Myles shrugged. “Suit yourselves. You ready, babe?”
“Do I look ready?” Kennedy batted her lashes and leaned in to kiss him.
“And that’s our cue to leave,” Zac said, tugging at Norah’s hand, and they walked into the main part of the house. “Unless you did want to go in the hot tub.”
“Not even a little bit.” She shook her head.
It was a big house with a massive open plan kitchen, which was filled with bottles and red cups and bowls of chips. The lights were dimmed and there were huddles of people talking. The speakers were out on the terrace and it was quieter inside. She let out a breath and Zac grinned.
“Ah, you’ve released your death lock. I was starting to worry.”
“What?” she said as he held up her hand, which was still in his. Too late she realized she must have been squeezing his fingers. So much for playing it cool. “Sorry. Parties aren’t my thing.”
“Don’t blame you. I’m starting to think this wasn’t the best place to come for a date.” As he spoke, Max ran past them, hair wet and towel draped around his muscular torso. “Want a drink?”
She swallowed. And the misery continued.
“I don’t really drink,” she admitted. “Jellybeans and coffee are my only vices.”
“That’s cool. I don’t either.”
“Really?” Her eyes narrowed. Most of his friends were here and there seemed more beer than sense in the room.
“What can I say? My body’s a temple.”
“I saw you cramming two helpings of chocolate mousse into your temple yesterday at lunch,” she retorted, some of her panic fading as he gave her a familiar half smile.
“Guilty. Truth is I already do enough idiotic things without being drunk. And I need every advantage I can get with soccer. Let me guess, you don’t drink because the money would be better spent on toilets.”
“You know I don’t think about toilets every minute of the day, right?” she said, relieved his light flirting was helping her unwind.
“What else do you think about then?” he said as another group of people went rushing past. He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her out of the way. Feather-light tremors darted along her skin, and she sucked in her breath.
Sorry. What was the question?
“Just stuff,” she said.
He used his shoulder to squeeze past the crowds into another room. It was filled with large sofas and a huge television screen. A crowd of guys she didn’t recognize were gaming on it, but Zac didn’t stop as he walked in the direction of a window seat, his arm still around her waist.
“Here. This is better. We might survive the night without you being trampled.”
“I’m almost as tall as you. I’m hardly going to get trampled.”
“So I’m worried about me getting trampled. Don’t want to mess with my hair,” he promptly said and sat down on the long window seat. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”
