by Debra Doxer
Cheerleaders clustered by the cafeteria entrance, raising money for the dance at a table set up there. They’d bedazzled a metal lockbox in pink and purple jewel stickers and were placing the money they’d collected inside.
Walking past the crowd gathered around the table, I smiled at Ethan when he whistled at my outfit and followed me to my locker.
“Got a date to homecoming, Candy?” he asked, watching while I shoved half my books inside.
I hoped what I said next didn’t prompt an invitation. “Nope. You?”
He grinned. “Nah. Why limit myself to one girl?”
It was such a predictable answer, and such a disappointing one. I couldn’t help think about Lea, wondering what she saw in him, and I realized that this was what my lying, cheating, ex-boyfriend looked like on the inside but had covered well with charisma and Academy Award-winning acting. At least Ethan was up front about being a complete douche canoe.
Stifling a grimace, I laughed and closed my locker. “You only live once, and this is high school.”
“See? I knew you’d get it.”
“Yeah, actually. I completely get it.”
He missed my sarcasm, winking at me before heading off to his class.
When I walked into English, Mr. Harris nodded at me the way he did to each student as they entered his classroom, but this time I was looking for something sinister beneath it. I didn’t find it.
Jonah was sitting in his usual spot near the back, dressed in a long-sleeved black T-shirt that molded to the muscles of his chest and arms. It took all my willpower not to stare at him as I walked down the aisle to the empty seat behind him. After he gave me a ride home the other day, I wondered if things would change between us, like maybe he’d be a little friendlier.
Jonah turned in his seat and gave me a low “hey” before turning back again.
I laughed to myself, figuring that was his idea of being friendly. Before I only got the head nod. This time he actually spoke to me. Be still my beating heart.
That small greeting from Jonah was enough for the girls sitting around him to shoot me dirty looks. I rolled my eyes as Mr. Harris began today’s lesson. But I couldn’t concentrate because I found myself staring at the back of Jonah’s head, wondering what it would be like if we both dropped the attitudes and artifice and just made out because it felt good.
I imagined suggesting it to him and then watching while he smiled smugly and found a way to humiliate me because I’d admitted I wanted to kiss him. Wasn’t that how he made Parker feel every day?
My eyes narrowed on his perfectly mussed hair, following the way it curled over his collar, and I found myself inexplicably angry at him for the imagined slight. I groaned to myself. I needed to snap out of it.
When class ended, I wondered if Mr. Harris would try to talk to me about tutoring again, but he didn’t. Lost in my own thoughts, I followed Jonah down the aisle and out into the hallway. After a few steps, he stopped abruptly in front of me and turned with an eyebrow raised curiously.
“Something going on with you today, Seaborne?”
“No. Why?” I asked defensively.
“I could feel you glaring at the back of my head during class.”
Maybe I was glaring, but there was no way he could know that. “I was trying to see the board, but your big head was in my way. Or maybe that was your ego.”
Amusement flitted across his face, forcing some of my unfounded animosity to slip away. I thought about the way he’d put his jacket over me at the party, and how he’d interfered with Mr. Harris’s possibly questionable intentions. Despite his gruff exterior, Jonah wasn’t a bad guy. He just hid his good side as if it were an embarrassing character trait he didn’t want exposed. As I thought of Mr. Harris, I realized Jonah never did tell me why he’d said Harris was a pervert.
Tilting my head at him, I said, “So, I wanted to ask you about Mr. Harris and what you think you know about him.”
His eyes narrowed. “What I think I know? You knew it too. You felt it. I saw you.”
I leaned closer so I couldn’t be overheard. “But you knew before it happened.”
Jonah crossed his arms and looked at me. “I know his rep. Despite what you put out there, I didn’t think you’d like what he had in mind.”
My mouth dropped open. “Excuse me? What I put out there?”
He didn’t react. “Beauty, brains, confidence. They all attract attention, in case you haven’t noticed.”
I studied him, searching for some sign of teasing or mocking, but his eyes were steady, watching me. Could he actually have meant those nice things? When I didn’t respond, he turned to walk away.
“Wait.” I moved in front of him and noted his exasperated sigh. Now I understood. He’d complimented me to distract me.
“What rep?” I asked.
“Seaborne, come on. Not now.” His gaze moved over the students filling the hallway.
I wondered what the big deal was. If Harris had a rep and everyone knew it, why couldn’t we talk about it in the middle of the hallway? I didn’t move.
He scowled. “You’re like a dog with a bone. You know that?”
Figuring it was a rhetorical question, I just stared at him and waited.
“Fine,” he said grudgingly. “We’ll talk after school. Will that get you off my back?”
I wanted to laugh at his grudging response, but I was afraid he’d change his mind. “For now. You’d better not stand me up.”
He arched a brow. “This isn’t a date.”
“No kidding. If you want a date, you’re going to have to ask nicer than that.” Then I couldn’t help sticking my tongue out at him before I sauntered away, but I didn’t miss the sharp bark of laughter that echoed behind me.
Heads turned curiously. Something told me no one had ever heard Jonah Bryson genuinely laugh in these hallways, and I enjoyed a bit of satisfaction at knowing I made it happen, even if he was laughing at me. I wouldn’t even let his need to clarify that this wasn’t a date bother me. It was time with him and I was looking forward to it, whatever he wanted to call it.
Later in the day, when I sat down at lunch with everyone, the topic of conversation was homecoming. Parker kept throwing meaningful glances at Jonah, obviously wanting him to ask her, and he was studiously ignoring her. I knew Lea wanted to go with Ethan, still holding out hope he might like her, but after what he told me, that wasn’t happening. Ashley said something about her boyfriend, who was in college, driving three hours to take her.
When my turn came, I shrugged, mentioning I had a friend coming into town and I’d rather hang out with him than go to homecoming, which was convenient but also happened to be true. This led to an inquiry, as I knew it would, and the suggestion that I bring him, which I had no intention of doing. I was generally up for a decent party, but organized school dances were not my thing. The lunch conversation was boring me to tears.
“I heard Dominic Anthony wants to ask you,” I told Parker, looking to liven things up and hoping I’d remembered the name of Drew’s friend correctly.
She paused in mid bite of a carrot. “Am I supposed to know who that is?”
“I know who he is,” Lea said. “He’s cute in a Prince Royce kind of way.”
Parker scoffed. “Does he go here too? Because I don’t have any idea who that is either.”
“No, he doesn’t go here. He’s a famous singer.” Lea snorted.
Parker put down her carrot and leaned back in her chair. “It doesn’t matter because I already have Reed Mills wanting to take me.” Parker directed her words at Jonah, apparently hoping news of all her suitors would spur him into action. He was reading something on his phone, appearing completely uninterested.
“Reed graduated last year,” Lea explained to me. “I’d go with Dominic Anthony. He seems nice.”
“Yeah? Want me to work on that for you?” I asked, trying not to smile.
“I meant if I were Parker,” she replied, covertly glancing at Ethan, and I
realized it hadn’t occurred to her to say yes and try to make Ethan jealous, which was what I’d had in mind for her.
Meanwhile, Jonah continued to stare down at his phone as Parker’s frustration with him grew. Ethan glanced at Jonah and chuckled. Parker wasn’t exactly subtle, and Jonah couldn’t really be this oblivious.
“I heard Drew wants to ask you,” Ashley said to me, giggling, obviously making fun of my dating prospects. On one side of me, Jonah’s fingers paused over his screen before he started tapping again. On the other side, Malcolm said, “You can’t go with him, Candy. He’s such a tool.”
“He was nice when I knew him before,” I said in my own version of how will Jonah react. I wasn’t out to make him jealous like Parker, but I did see his whole body go still when Ashley mentioned Drew’s name. It made me curious about Drew’s reputation in school. I’d seen him around with the same group of friends, and they weren’t the outcasts or geeks. So I wasn’t sure why Drew sounded so jealous of Jonah the other night, but I got the feeling the dislike was mutual.
“Would you go if Drew asked you?” Lea posed the question hopefully. I knew she wanted me to go to the dance.
“No,” I replied as I stood and gathered my things. “Like I said, I have other plans.”
“Other plans with a guy who’s staying over,” Parker added with a sly look that implied I was planning a sex marathon. This whole lunch conversation was getting too strange, even for me.
“Uh-huh.” I nodded. “Gotta go stock up on condoms. Later, kids.” I gave a little wave as I walked away, not even slowing down to hear what kind of reaction I’d gotten. I mean, they all knew I was kidding, right?
When last period calculus ended, Jonah walked determinedly out of class without a word and disappeared within the sea of people in the hallway. Maybe they didn’t know I was kidding about the condoms? Either that, or Jonah was avoiding me for another reason. At least, that’s how it felt. Probably so he wouldn’t have to explain about Mr. Harris like he promised he would.
Rather than chasing after him, I walked to my locker. He couldn’t avoid me forever. I’d just catch him tomorrow and be ready when he tried to run.
At my locker, I shoved everything I needed inside my bag and hoisted it over my shoulder. Then I slammed my locker closed and turned around to find Jonah standing there. He was leaning against the opposite wall with his long legs crossed casually at his ankles, watching me like he never intended to avoid me or give me that impression at all.
Right. I slowly walked toward him.
He tilted his head. “I thought you were off buying condoms.”
I laughed lightly, studying him. Was it me or did he seem tense? “I was joking because Parker annoyed me. We can’t all tune her out as easily as you.”
He eyed me for a beat. “It’s an acquired skill.” Jutting his chin at my bag, he asked. “Got more homemade cookies in there today?”
“Nope. Got some muffins instead.” I thought about the chocolate-chip muffins I made before I went to bed last night, hoping baking would calm me down and help me sleep. It didn’t work, but now I did have some tasty muffins.
“Maybe you’ll offer to share again while we talk.” Plucking my bag off my shoulder, he pushed off the wall and walked away, taking it with him.
I was floored at first, thinking he was swiping my bag before I realized he intended to carry it for me. Since I was capable of carrying my own bag, I nearly protested, but something stopped me. I kind of liked that he wanted to do it. Of course my thoughts went straight to my ex, who had never done that for me.
I caught up to Jonah quickly and once we were outside, I figured he’d plant himself at one of the tables in the small courtyard, but he kept moving toward the parking lot.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
He tossed his keys up and caught them easily. “I’m thinking since you didn’t eat lunch again, muffins won’t cut it. How about the diner? That okay with you?”
Diner? I figured he’d make this as brief as possible. The diner didn’t sound brief. “Sure. But this still isn’t a date, right?”
“Not a date,” he agreed, glancing at me from the corner of his eye.
When we reached Jonah’s Jeep, Ashley and Parker came around the far corner of the building and walked in our direction. I tensed, anticipating the scene that was coming if Parker spotted us. And just then, she did, her progress faltering for a moment before she sped up and headed straight for us with Ashley trailing behind her.
Beside me, Jonah silently watched her progression.
“Hey, guys,” Parker said with a false smile and darts shooting from her eyes.
“Where are you two off to?” Ashley asked, tilting her head and shifting her gaze suspiciously between Jonah and me.
“Group project for English,” I answered quickly before Jonah could say anything. By his tense expression, I figured he was going to tell her to mind her own business.
“Oh, that’s right.” Parker’s smile widened. “I forgot you two have some classes together. I love group projects.” She darted a look at Ashley. “One person always ends up doing all the work, and it’s never me.”
Ashley chuckled with Parker, and I could practically feel Jonah rolling his eyes, although he didn’t actually move at all.
“What’s the project on?” Parker asked, looking at Jonah.
Before he could speak, I answered again. “We have to write a paper on a book we were supposed to read.” Then I cleared my throat and batted my eyelashes. “I sure hope you read it, Jonah.”
He shot me an exasperated look, one I was becoming familiar with.
Parker smirked at me. “You’re lucky you got paired with Jonah. He’s on the honor roll. Don’t work too hard, you two.” Then she turned, signaling for Ashley to follow as she headed toward a white Lexus SUV parked a few spots down.
“Crap,” I muttered before walking to the passenger side of the Jeep.
“Is there a reason you didn’t let me talk at all?” Jonah asked once we were both sitting inside.
“Would you have said anything nice?”
Raised brows were his only answer.
“That’s why,” I said, turning to fasten my seat belt.
He huffed out a short laugh. “So what? Is she going to sic the girls’ field hockey team on you now?”
“If there was one, she’d already be messaging them.” I scowled, wondering if she believed the project story or not. I might have to do some damage control tomorrow. “You really can’t stand her,” I commented.
“Neither can you. But I don’t pretend otherwise.” His distaste for my pretence was obvious in his tone, but I didn’t bother denying it.
“Sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture,” I said. “You catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.”
His lips twitched into a half smile. “I happen to like vinegar. Besides, not all clichés are true. They’re just overused.”
He had a point, but I rolled my eyes anyway. I loved the eye roll. It said so much with so little effort.
The ride to the diner was quiet but not uncomfortably so. The afternoon was warmer than it had been the other day when I rode in Jonah’s Jeep, and my hands were warm too. Days like this were numbered, though. Once November hit, cold air would descend on Glenn Valley and stay until April or May.
I hadn’t been downtown since returning home because there wasn’t a whole lot to do there. For a town that was only a couple of hours from New York City, it felt like a tiny place in the middle of nowhere.
After driving past the local hardware store, the Unitarian church, and then the post office, we reached the diner, which was called Dempsey’s and had a strip of windows overlooking a large parking lot that was about half full. New Yorkers loved their diners. Almost every town in the state had one, and Glenn Valley was no different.
Jonah asked me if I’d been here before, and I shook my head as he pulled into a spot at the front, beneath the windows. “They have great chee
seburgers,” he said.
As we went inside, a bell above the door chimed when Jonah held it open for me. I was afraid there would be kids from school filling the place, but there was no one I recognized. Apparently this wasn’t an after-school hangout, which was fine by me. Even at lunchtime, no one seemed to mention this place when they went out to get food, preferring the chains that littered the downtown area in Claymore right next door.
A sign told us to seat ourselves, and I followed Jonah to a booth by the window. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t uneasy being with him here and sitting across from him now. With those startling eyes that changed from light green to brown depending on the light, and a face so handsome, it was hard not to stare at the defined line of his jaw where a dusky shadow of stubble grew. And then there was his scar, which I hardly even noticed anymore. It was just part of who he was, and I wondered if whatever caused that scar also made his personality so prickly. Heather said Jonah hadn’t had it easy, and for the first time I really wanted to know what she’d meant.
A waiter appeared with place settings and menus. He was an older man with wispy gray hair, thinning on the top, and a tall, wiry build.
“Hiya, Jonah.” His voice was raspy and his smile was friendly. Jonah was obviously a regular here.
Jonah smiled back. “Hi, Sam. This is Seaborne.”
Sam turned toward me with a smile, his forehead creased with curiosity.
“I’m Candy. Nice to meet you,” I said, smiling politely at Sam when he greeted me.
Jonah, who had eaten a fairly large lunch today, ordered a cheeseburger, and I decided to get the same thing because I really was hungry and the muffins that had been sitting in my bag all day didn’t sound nearly as appealing.
“So, how do you like being back in Glenn Valley?” Jonah asked as Sam gathered the menus and disappeared in the back somewhere.
I was tempted to give him a smartass response the way he had when I asked him where he lived before, but that wasn’t the tone I wanted to set for this conversation. “It’s good to be back,” I answered simply.
