I shrug. “Books. Any bookstore.” Now, go away so I can focus on my work. I’ve only got so many weeks to get this all done. Did I mention I’m a perfectionist? So not only does it have to be complete, but perfect.
“Okay. I don’t know if you heard about Candance? I was sort of hoping to make her jealous when I sat with you at lunch. I mean, she was super salty when we went to the dance together,” he says as he spreads himself out on my study table. His right arm is on top of my book; his leg is touching mine.
This needs to stop. I only agreed to go to the dance with him to help him win back Candance. I also thought if the whole jealousy thing could work for him, then maybe it could help me get Austin. We were both wrong. Candance is apparently dating someone else. Austin is with Rachel.
I sigh. “Yep. I heard. Sorry, it didn’t work out.”
“Yeah, well, I was thinking maybe we should, I don’t know, keep hanging out together.”
I glance over at Greg. “Uh. I don’t know. That sounds like it could be trouble.”
“It won’t. I was thinking maybe we could go to Tyler’s pool party this weekend. Next weekend is your party. We will obviously hang then too.”
What in the world am I getting myself into? “Um … ”
“Please,” Greg begs.
“Okay. But you gotta swear you won’t drink.”
“I promise.”
Good because I don’t want to be stuck as the third wheel in the back of Juliet’s Wrangler or in Jared’s truck, which would be a hundred times worse. It’s not so bad in the mornings because Juliet drives us separately to school since she has soccer after. At school it’s a different story—Jared and she are glued at the hip. So, yeah, I don’t want to be stuck in a vehicle with them and no one else riding with us. That would be so bad I might actually consider walking home instead.
“Pick you up at seven. Cool?” he asks.
I nod.
Greg slaps the desk and walks away.
I crack open a book, and a voice clears. “You’re dating him?” Austin snaps.
Oh, for the love of it. “Is it any of your business? And what are you doing? Stalking me?” I ask.
He looks at me dumbfounded. “Ya-Yah it is my business! You’re not supposed to be with him. He is a two-bit tool.”
“Is he? I also noticed you didn’t answer my question about stalking me.” Why is Austin so wound up? Why do I like pushing these buttons? I should end this conversation and just leave.
He narrows his sexy gray-blue eyes at me. My stupid heart stutters in my chest. “Don’t act stupid. I know you know he is. I’m not stalking you,” Austin growls.
“Right. Well, call me dumb. Who should I be with, huh?” I slam my books shut and push them into my bag. I know what I want his answer to be, but I know he’ll never say it, so it doesn’t matter. I need to get away from him.
“Don’t do this, Ads.” He presses his hand over mine as I grip a book. I blink and glance up at his gaze. “I was wondering if you’d stay here and um … we could work out the whole layout of the project.”
“Shouldn’t we discuss it as a group?” I ask, too frozen to move. He used that nickname that I secretly love and hate. The one only he gave. The one that makes me feel like we could be more than this. I know better, though. We can’t be anything. He doesn’t want to.
“I think everyone will go with our idea if we present in a way that benefits all.”
I jerk my hand from his. “You mean, to have me do all the work while you all do whatever. Thanks. That’s so very kind of you,” I say with so much sarcasm it’s practically oozing out of my skin. He thinks he’s so smooth.
“That’s not what I said. I’m going to put in the work.”
I fold my arms. “Really? And what about your girlfriend? How much does she plan on contributing?”
“She’s not my girlfriend. Rachel said she’d buy all the materials. We know we’re not going to get much help from the other two unless we make it worth their while.”
“Our card said specifically, ‘community entertainment.’ As much as a huge bong for them to get high off would be entertaining, I’m certain the school would frown on that.”
Austin laughs. “Yeah, I don’t think that will go over so well. I was thinking more on the line of making them think they’re managers, so they might show up more. Meanwhile while they ‘manage’ we’ll be the ones really in charge.”
More like he’ll be in charge, and I will be stuck doing all the work. I shouldn’t complain. At least I know it would be right, but I’m strapped for time. I know he always picks up his mom from work unless Jared brings him to school.
I chuck the rest of my things into my bag. “I’ve gotta go.”
“Do you need a ride?” he asks.
“No, thanks. I’ll call an Uber.” I don’t want to get used to his whole hero act.
He shakes his head. “You can’t stand me that much, huh? It’s cool. Whatever. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
My heart tugs. My mind screams, Don’t do it. It’ll just end badly for you.
“Okay. But there are going to be some rules,” I say. Rules are a good thing. You follow them, and things are simple.
“Rules?” he laughs. “All right. Lay them on me.”
“Rule one: you will not kiss me.”
He frowns. “Okay. Sure. Any more?”
I nod. “Rule two: you will not flirt with me.”
“Is this a joke? Seriously, Ads. Okay,” he says holding up his hands. “Fine. What other rules have you got?”
We walk closer to the exit of the library. “Do not check me out, and do not call me ‘Ads.’ And while I’m at it, do not ask about my personal life.”
“I don’t agree to the last three. I’m a guy, Adaline. I have eyes, and I’m going to check you out.” To prove his point further, he gives me a once-over. “If you don’t want me in your business, fine, but I am going to ask you how your day is because I genuinely give a shit. As for not calling you ‘Ads,’ I won’t stop that because that’s my nickname for you.”
I roll my eyes. “You shouldn’t be checking me out.”
He opens the door for me, and I exit. He follows and guides us over to his rusted Malibu. “I can call an Uber,” I say. This is a bad idea.
He ignores my remark and gets my door for me and then waits. I stare at the empty seat and chew on my lower lip. I should have gotten on a bus or something else. Reluctantly, I slide into the passenger side of his car and Austin closes the door.
The inside smells of him, a mix of cinnamon and cedar. I missed it. Ugh. No. I will not do this. Never again. He’s burned me enough times.
As soon as he’s in the driver seat, he turns the key. The bucket of bolts rumbles and growls then spudders. Oh gosh, I’m regretting this decision more and more by the second. He throws it in reverse and eases us out of the parking space, then he drops it in drive. We’re leaving the school, and I notice the car is shaking. “Relax. You’re going to leave indentations of your fingers in the handle,” Austin says.
“I’m allowed to be nervous.”
“It made it to your place the other day.”
I roll my eyes. Yeah, and I thought about you every stinking moment after you dropped me off. Stupid heart, I shouldn’t have let you do this to me. “Whatever. I’m still praying it gets us there.”
“How about we don’t talk about anything relating to the car.”
I snort. “Fine. So are you just hooking up with Rachel? You said earlier you weren’t dating her.”
“Straight in for the kill. Be prepared, Ads, I might give you an answer you aren’t expecting.”
I roll my eyes again. “Pretty sure I know the answer.”
He laughs. “Oh, you only think you know. Your cheeks turn pink when you’re thinking.”
I rub my face. “They do not.”
“They do.” We pull up to a red light. I shoot him a glare, but he smiles at me. “It’s cute. Have you thought any more about the project
and what you want to do?”
“Wow. I totally fell for that subject change. Ha. I am on to you.” I poke him, and then I blush. I did not mean to touch him. Touching leads to flirting and flirting leads to heartbreak.
I distract myself from doing it again by digging my nails into my backpack which is on my lap. “Right. You totally got me, Ads.”
Chapter Fourteen
Austin
I suck! I want to scream and beat my steering wheel. Why does this girl not believe me? Why can’t she see she’s the only one on my mind?
I should have never told Adaline no when she asked me to the dance. She would have never ended up with Greg. She also wouldn’t be busting my balls on who I like. She’d know it was her, and that would be that.
Adaline frustrates me to no end. I wish we were kids again. It was easier to be near her, to tease her, and hide away all my feelings. It’s not easy now. Every minute around her makes me want to do things like hold her hand, brush the sandy blond strands from her face, and kiss her perfect lips. I can’t do any of this, though, because Adaline is with someone, and I won’t ruin her happiness. I can’t.
I pull up to her house on the edge of town and throw the car in park. Adaline stares at me for a second. She goes to say something, probably about to decline me opening her door for her, but I’m already out of the car and heading to her side. She groans when I lift the handle.
“I could have gotten that,” she says.
“I know.” But I didn’t want you to get it.
As soon as she’s out, I shut the door. I want to walk her to the front porch, but the look she gives me tells me I better not. I stay by my car and watch her go into the house.
Once she’s inside, I get back into my car and leave. I hate every minute of it too. I gotta get a move on, though, because I have to do dinner, go to work, and then pick up my mom. After that, I’ll have exactly ten minutes to do homework if I want to get to bed at a decent hour. Although I don’t think eleven is exactly what anyone would call decent when they have to get up at five to take their mom to work.
I used to ask Jared to swing by and pick me up, but that’s not an option now. No one can know how low I’ve sunk. I was still able to keep up appearances before we lost our house. As long as no one stops by my old house, I can get through this school year.
I’ve survived nights without electricity and resorted to a flashlight in order to complete my homework. I’ve gone without water for a few days. That’s life. It doesn’t care if you have money to keep things on.
My mom lost her job at the hospital as head of the scheduling department, and bills started rolling in, one after the other. At first, she cried in her room. I took it upon myself to fix it as best as I could. Found side jobs, bet on things, and anything I got I gave to her. She was upset, but eventually the tears stopped, and she just knew no matter what we had each other’s back.
I pull into my driveway fifteen minutes later and head toward my front door. Some gangs are roaming in front of my house and behind it. My house seems to be the neutral area for both.
“Yo Homes! You new to the hood?” says some guy across the street sitting on the railing of his porch. He takes a hit of something which is probably a joint.
No judgment. “Yeah,” I answer.
He jumps off his porch and approaches me. As he gets closer, I realize he is smoking a joint. “That’s a busted up ride, Homes.”
Did he really walk all the way over here to state the freaking obvious? I nod. “Yep.”
“They call me Blue.”
“Austin.”
He nods. “I see you in the papers for basketball. Don’t you play for Riverside? What are you doing here?”
“Living.” There is nothing much more to say besides that.
He smiles, and I instantly notice he’s got nothing but crooked teeth. “You got a crew yet?”
I shake my head. “I don’t want one either.”
“That’s cool. Need protection or if you’re ever tight on cash come hit me up. I promise to make it worth it.”
Yeah, that was the last damn thing I needed. My mom would kill me. “Thanks. I’m good.” Because if I say anything else it might offend him, and I won’t have to worry about my mom killing me.
“Offer doesn’t expire, Homes.”
I give him a quick nod and head up to the porch of my own house. Inside, the mailbox is stacked with letters. Some marked in red letters “Past Due,” “Final notice,” and it’s just a painful reminder what I let happen. I need to fix this and stop thinking about how to win Adaline. As much as I may want it, I can’t.
My cheap cell with shitty reception rings. “Yeah,” I say.
“Checking up on you, were you coming in tonight?” my boss, Mr. Hendricks, asks.
“I was just about to leave.”
He mutters something then says, “Okay. Can you come in tomorrow instead?”
“Sure. Can I ask why you don’t need me tonight? Did I do something wrong?” That’s all I need.
“No. Nothing like that. Money is short. Sorry for doing this on the phone.”
My heart seizes. “Are you going to lay me off or something? I really need this job.” All those extra shifts. I was just trying to stay afloat, not get laid off for it. Shit!
“Not yet, but I can’t make any promises, kid. Listen, though, if I do find it going that way, a buddy of mine needs some more hands. I can put in a good word for you. I don’t know how flexible he’ll be during basketball season, though.”
It’s not the worst news in the world, but I need someone who is flexible. I need to keep playing sports because it’s the only extra boost I have to get me a scholarship. “All right.” It’s not, but I can hear the pain in his voice. He doesn’t want to do this to me. There’s nothing more to say. “Thanks, Mr. Hendricks. I’ll be in tomorrow.”
“You’re welcome. See you tomorrow.”
I end the call. I hope to hell business picks up. Otherwise, I’m going to have start job hunting.
Chapter Fifteen
Adaline
“We were thinking about scheduling some trips to visit some campuses. Have you given any thoughts of what schools you’d like to attend?” my mom asks while I push a baby carrot into my mouth.
“No,” I say with my mouth full.
“Manners!” my mom snaps. “Ladies, do not talk with their mouths full of food.”
I swallow. “Yes, mother.”
“Why have you answered no to our question about schools? Do you have a list started, and it’s too many?” my father asks.
More like I haven’t looked. The future terrifies me. What if I get in to this college that I might have liked at the time but end up hating it? I don’t want to listen to the guilt trip of her saying something about how I squandered her money. I would go to a community college just to test the waters, but that’s beneath my mom and her ideals. Also, I have no idea what the heck I want to do for the rest of my life.
Normal teens figure that out or have a vague idea what it is before the end of the junior year of high school. I used to want to be a vet, but the very thought of possibly helping someone’s pet rat or snake whisked me right off that path. I thought about being a teacher, but not only does their pay suck, I honestly don’t have the patience for kids in general of any age. Here lies the dilemma. I can’t choose a college because I have no idea what I would study. If my mom and dad got wind of that, it would be all over. They’ll choose my life for me, and I don’t want that either.
“You got me,” I lie to my dad. “The list is so big I’m trying to narrow it down some more. There are just so many to choose from, you know?”
He nods. His salt and pepper hair doesn’t move; it stays in place like each strand is glued or something. “If you need any help, you can always come to us,” he says.
The guilt of lying sets in. I love my parents. I know they only want the best for me. Lately, it’s too much.
I finish dinner as quickly as possible
and head up to my room. I need to finish some homework as well as figure out the project.
I step inside and shut my door. I don’t have any siblings that will bother me, I just like it this way. Slumping down into my desk chair, I spin it around two times then I pull out my chem homework.
I chew on my pen cap, while I gaze at the sheets in front of me. Instead of solving the problems, I keep thinking about my new ones. I shut my eyes and sigh. There has to be something I want to do.
My cell buzzes, startling me from my thoughts.
“Austin.”
“Hey. Can you let me in?”
“Let you in? To my house?”
“Yeah, I am outside on your balcony actually.” I hear a tapping on my glass French doors.
I get out of my chair and walk over to the doors and pull the curtains back. What the heck? His tall frame leans against the railing of my balcony. I should not let him in. Why in the world wouldn’t he use the front door like a normal person? Is this light-brown haired god really that ashamed someone might see him coming into my house?
I glare at him while still clutching my phone pressed to my ear. “What do you want?”
“I told you, let me in.”
“Why?”
He rolls his eyes. “Is this how this is going to be, all these questions?”
“Maybe. Are you going to answer me?” I do a once-over on him. Man, he’s really cute.
He steps up to the door and says slowly into his cell, “Because. I. Need. To. Talk. To. You. And. Not. On. The. Phone.”
I groan and hit the handle, so it pops open. I click my phone off, and suddenly he wraps his arms around me and hugs me tight to him. I push away and snap. “What are you doing?”
“I needed to hold you.”
“Well, you shouldn’t.” I create distance between us and go over to my desk. “I thought you said you needed to talk.”
“I do. It’s about this project.”
I whip around and glare at him. “I knew it. You’re going to put this whole thing on me, aren’t you? I swear, Reed, you’re such a shit. Did you really think that if you hugged me that I would magically melt into putty and do whatever you asked? Unbelievable.” I spin my chair back, so I can avoid those charming eyes that remind me of a storm breaking in the distance.
Right Girl Wrong Timing (Offsides Book 3) Page 5
