And I hated that.
This insanity had happened to me once before so I knew how this ended. I just couldn’t believe my stupid traitorous heart had gone and developed a crush again. I’d thought I was immune.
That was what I got for getting cocky, I supposed. I’d let my guard down.
But then again, it wasn’t like I could have foreseen the fact that the hottest guy in school would actually seek me out because he had…a crush?
No. I banished the thought before it could truly take hold. Of course he didn’t have a crush. He just felt sorry for the new girl. Because he was…nice.
Ugh. My chest tightened painfully. Nice was too much to handle. Good looks were one thing, but kindness?
I stared into those eyes and acknowledged the truth. Kindness might just be my kryptonite.
“I would give anything to know what you’re thinking about right now.” His voice was so low, no one around us could hear no matter how much they tried. If any one of these gawkers were to guess, they’d never have guessed that.
I was starting to get used to his blunt ways, and even I was surprised by the intensity behind his question. So surprised that I answered. “I was thinking about kryptonite.”
He nodded, like that was a total normal response. Then he tilted his head toward the table where his friends sat, not so subtly watching us. “Want to join the fun?”
I wrinkled my nose. “Is this fun?”
His lips did that twitching thing I loved. “It’s the best we can do in this town, I’m afraid.”
I nodded thoughtfully. “That’s sad.”
He shrugged. “It might not be as bad as you think.” He leaned down as if letting me in on a secret. “Free refills on coffee.”
I widened my eyes, as if truly impressed. “Wow, that is fun.”
I was rewarded with an actual smile and holy cow that thing was dangerous. No wonder he kept it hidden most of the time.
“You want to join us?” he asked.
“Oh, no…thanks. I mean, I’m not staying long and…” I cleared my throat, wishing vehemently and uselessly that I’d never let Conner drag me along. I mean, what had I thought was going to happen?
What had I hoped?
This, a little voice of honesty said, not even trying to pull punches. You’d hoped for this.
My heart was doing a tap dance in my chest as I looked up at the hottie quarterback with the million-dollar smile. This was everything I’d feared and wanted. Him seeking me out, inviting me in, maybe even flirting…
And now that the secret dream had become a reality?
I wanted to run away.
Maybe Conner was right. Maybe there was something very wrong with me.
Maybe I was the coward and not him.
“Still thinking about kryptonite?” Tristan asked, his voice mild but his eyes filled with amusement.
I shook my head. “I’ve moved on to something else.”
“Care to share with the class?”
“Not even a little bit,” I said, but I tried to soften it with a smile.
“Fair enough.” He moved closer and his large frame blocked my view of the restaurant. I was dimly aware of the voices in the distance, but they were drowned out by the sound of my own heart beating wildly in my chest at the proximity.
We stood there in silence for a minute. “Come join us,” he said.
“I wish I could,” I said, making his lips twitch with amusement again. “But I’m not planning on sticking around.”
He nodded. “I see. So, what…you just came here so your stepbrother could cause a scene and now you’re bailing?”
“Actually, I came to avoid game night at home,” I said.
“Uh huh.” His tone said he didn’t believe me and I wasn’t sure I believed myself. What had I thought was going to happen when I’d gotten here? I hadn’t given Conner and his girl drama much thought, to be honest. I’d thought—I’d hoped—I’d catch a glimpse of Tristan.
Because I had a crush.
And I was an idiot.
The moment I acknowledged it to myself, I felt the heat of embarrassment wash over me. I was no better than Janice or any of the other girls in this school who were fawning over this guy. The only difference was, he was nice to me. Too nice. And I still had no idea why.
“I’m glad you came,” he said. That low voice of his sent shivers down my spine and I had no idea what to say, what to do. I was out of my league. I was so incredibly out of my league.
“I’m just waiting for Conner, so…”
My phone dinged and I pulled it out. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“You all right?” he asked, shifting closer like he was going to…what? Protect me?
The thought had me scrambling backwards a bit, trying to hide the phone from him. Like it wasn’t bad enough Conner had just left me stranded here…who did he think he was telling me to get a ride from Tristan O’Hare?
Tristan was scowling down at me when I glanced up, and I was surprised to see honest concern there in his eyes. “Harley,” he said, his voice a warning. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just…” I sighed. “I need a ride home.”
His eyes flickered with surprise but then they glowed with triumph. My insides didn’t know what to make of that reaction. One part of me was terrified and another was elated.
“I can get a taxi—”
“Yeah, in about two hours,” he said. “Taxis are slow and few around here.”
I bit back a sigh. Of course they were.
“I could call my dad or—”
“Come on,” he said. “Let me give you a ride home.”
“I—” I hesitated, irrational fear making me freeze with my mouth open like a moron.
“Please.” He said it so quickly, his tone so earnest. What else could I do?
I nodded and watched in amazement as that little nod made his lips curve up just for me.
Oh man, I had it bad.
I hadn’t meant to but I’d gone and fallen for this guy. Stupid, stupid hormones. There was only one way this could end, with my heart breaking. I knew it, but did that stop the stupid organ from galloping wildly when he reached out and brushed a stray curl behind my ear.
“Let me go tell the others I’m leaving,” he said. “I’ll be right back.”
I nodded again mutely, not trusting myself to speak. I’d probably utter a string of curses at myself if I did.
I was such an idiot, and yet I couldn’t deny the flutter of excitement—hope, even—at the prospect of being alone with him in his car.
I hated Conner for ditching me, and I also wanted to give him a hug.
Oh, this was confusing!
Hope was starting to whisper in my ear, telling me stories…fantasies that belonged in fairytales. Maybe he actually likes you. Maybe there’s no trick, no hidden agenda. Maybe for once I’m the girl who gets the guy. Maybe for once, I’m the heroine of the romance and not the snarky sidekick or the loner looking in from the outside. Maybe—
“Tristan really did it, I can’t believe it.” One of Danny’s friends was talking too loudly nearby. Danny and the others were all laughing and the sound reminded me of braying donkeys like in Pinocchio.
I caught them looking at me and quickly glanced away, irritated by the surge of fear that shot through me just because these idiots were looking at me. But I knew their type. I’d been the target of bullies just like them. I knew when I was in their crosshairs and I’d made a job out of learning to avoid that kind of attention.
I shifted uncomfortably, wishing Tristan would hurry, wishing Conner would come back for me. Wishing I wasn’t so freakin’ alone right now.
And I was alone, even though I was standing in a crowded restaurant.
“Did he get you to say yes yet?” Danny shouted over to me.
I wish I could have ignored him but he was staring right at me with a smirk that begged to be smacked. I shoved my hands in my pockets and gave him a blan
k stare that was right out of Tristan’s playbook. If only I could do the magical crinkly-eyed amusement thing I could probably rule the world.
He didn’t let my silence sway him. Nudging the taller kid next to him, he moved toward me with a twisted little grin. “Come on, new girl, you can tell me. I got money on the line here.”
Nausea hit me hard and I sucked in air to try and quell the sudden salivation going on in my mouth as my body threatened to hurl the nice dinner Conner had made for us.
I was suddenly back in junior high, facing Josh Tanner’s friends as they laughed and laughed because the class dork had actually believed it when the most popular boy in school had asked her to the dance.
Danny’s friend either didn’t notice that I’d gone green or he didn’t care. “Tell me you said yes,” he said with a laugh. “Help a brother out.”
I took a step back and their attention was off me. The scene over as quickly as it started as one of Rosalie’s friends joined them and the topic turned to something else. I didn’t listen and I didn’t care.
My heart was in my throat and my chest was heaving with the weight of my unshed tears.
“You ready to go?” Tristan was once more at my side and I found myself nodding.
I just needed to get out of there; I had to breathe. Any hope I’d had, any excitement…it was crushed as I realized that my fears were there for a reason.
This had been too good to be true.
He was too good to be true.
I let him wrap an arm around my shoulders and lead me out of the diner, the sounds of laughter and chatter following me. Taunting me, even though I had no reason to believe that it was at my expense.
And yet, I felt like it was. Everyone here had to be laughing because I was dumb enough to leave with the guy who’d made a bet about whether or not he could get me to go to homecoming with him.
Just like I’d bet Conner.
Oh, the irony of it all wasn’t lost on me. Trust me. Guilt ripped through me at the thought that I’d done the same to Rosalie.
Except that was different because Conner was a good guy deep down, much as it pained me to admit. Not only that, he was totally head over heels for Rosalie, whether he knew it or not.
So basically, I was doing her a favor.
And him.
“Seriously, I would give so much more than a penny for your thoughts,” Tristan said.
He’d stopped beside a black car and was reaching for the passenger side door, holding it open for me like a true gentleman.
“Do you want my life savings?” he teased. “It’s all yours. Every penny.”
How had I ever thought that he was for real? No guy was this kind and thoughtful. No guy who looked like Tristan had ever given me a second glance, let alone pursued me like I was some princess.
I was such an idiot.
“You going to get in?” he asked, his eyes lit with amusement because I’d been standing there for too long, lost in my own stupid thoughts.
“Thanks,” I mumbled as I slid into the car. Just keep your head down. Turn invisible. Hide behind snarky sarcasm and baggy clothes.
As far as pep talks went, it didn’t work well.
There was a major flaw in that plan to hide in plain sight. I’d already been exposed. When it came to Tristan I was utterly vulnerable and he could so easily hurt me.
No, that wasn’t quite right. I was already hurt.
How dumb was that? I hadn’t even gone on a date with the guy, I barely even knew him…and somehow he’d managed to hurt me.
Stupid, stupid heart.
9
Tristan
Something was wrong. I mean, something beyond the norm. I was starting to get used to Harley’s skittishness. I even kind of liked it. And I had to admit, her exasperation with her stepbrother and the lack of taxis in town…it was adorable. She was adorable, all sweetness and light peeking out from behind a thick layer of irony and even thicker glasses.
“You going to tell me what’s up with you?” I asked when I started to pull out of the parking spot.
I might not have known Harley long and our most in-depth conversation to date had been in the hallway after her art class earlier in the week…but I’d already learned one important fact. Harley responded to truth and openness and direct questions.
Which was one of the things I loved about her. Our conversations might have been short but they were filled with more meaning than ninety-nine percent of the conversations I’d had in the course of my high school career. That was equally exciting and—well, let’s face it—kind of depressing.
Seconds passed and she didn’t answer. In the glow of the passing headlights I caught sight of her face, so beautiful and sweet and…hurt.
“If you don’t tell me, I’m going to have to guess,” I said.
Nothing. Silence.
I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel. “Are you worried about Conner?”
I heard her shift as she turned to face me. I glanced over. “I know he’s not your favorite person on the planet, but—”
“You don’t know anything about me,” she said. “Or Conner.”
Conner seemed to be an afterthought. I shifted in my seat. “Did I do something wrong? If you’d rather get a ride home from someone else, I could take you back—”
“No!” She said it so quickly, I jerked back in surprise.
“Not a fan of diners?” I asked, hoping to tease a smile out of her. “Or just football players.”
She looked over at me and met my gaze head-on. “I live for coffee.”
Okay then. I turned away from the barely concealed anger in her eyes, not because I couldn’t take it but because I saw what it covered—pain. And that I couldn’t take. I gripped the steering wheel harder as I willed myself to keep driving when everything in me wanted to turn this car around and beat the crap out of whoever had hurt her.
“Did someone say something?” I glanced over. “Do something?”
“Aside from you, you mean?”
I blinked at the road, surprise making my lungs catch. I couldn’t drive like this. Not if she was going to keep blindsiding me like this.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
I pulled off the main street and onto a road that led to a playground. A nice place during the day but at night it had a sort of creepy silence about it, especially when I shut off the car and we sat there in the dark.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.
I turned to face her. “We need to talk.”
“No.” She folded her arms over her chest. “We don’t.”
I arched my brows. “Seriously? You’re not going to tell me why you’re suddenly mad at me?”
The answer was clear in her silence. We sat there in a silent standoff for countless seconds before she sighed and fell back in her seat. “Fine. I’ll go to homecoming with you. That’s what you want to hear, right?”
“I—” The words started and stopped. “I have no idea what you’re talking about right now.”
She turned her head without lifting it from the headrest, like she was too tired to sit up straight. “Why’d you ask me to homecoming?”
“What?” I shook my head. This girl was going to be the death of me. “Because I wanted to. Because I wanted to take you out on a proper date and that seemed like the best way to let you know my intentions.” I ran a hand over my face in exasperation at her unwavering glare. “I don’t know, Harley, I guess I thought it would be romantic?”
Hearing it come out of my mouth like that…as a question, no less. I was officially the world’s biggest tool. “Will you please tell me what I’ve done wrong? Because by my count, so far I’ve given you directions to the main office, helped you navigate the halls of Talmore High, had the nerve to strike up a few conversations with you and…oh yeah. I offered to give you a ride home.” My voice had grown louder than usual and she winced, making me feel like the big bad ogre she seemed determined to think I was. “Serio
usly, Harley. What have I done to make you so angry with me?”
She blinked and I watched her lips part with an inhale. The surprise faded fast, though, and the stubborn tilt of her chin gave me a clue what she was going to say before she even spoke. “You made me the butt of a joke.”
I stared at her in shock. Okay, that stubborn set of her chin had definitely not prepared me for that. I squinted at her like that might help me make sense of her words. “I…what?”
She huffed at me, a move I would have found cute if I wasn’t scrambling to make sense of her lunacy. “Did you or did you not make a bet that you could get me to say yes to homecoming?”
“No, of course not.” But even as I spoke, I could hear Danny and his friends being idiots in the locker room.
By the arched brows and her know-it-all pursed lips, I’d have bet my dawning realization read like guilt. “I can explain.”
“No need,” she said, her voice so flat and hard it made my bones turn to ice.
“Wait a second, you’re not even going to give me a chance?” I shook my head. “How is that fair?”
“Fair?” she snapped. “You want to talk about fair? Sure, yeah, let’s do that.” Her eyes blazed with an anger I’d never seen. “Let’s talk about the fact that you and your friends get away with murder.”
“Me and my friends? You don’t even know my friends.”
“I know Danny,” she shot back. “And I’ve known enough of you people to know what you’re like. You step on other people whenever it suits you. You make fun of anyone who isn’t into the same things or looks the same or—”
“Are you seriously comparing me to Danny right now?”
She barely stopped for breath. “What about Janice?”
I stared at her like she was nuts. Why? Because I was pretty sure she was certifiable. “Who?”
“Exactly.” She slammed a hand down on her knee like I’d just said something noteworthy.
“What ‘exactly?’” I racked my brain to try and keep up with this conversation. “Are you talking about Janice Summers?”
Dating the Quarterback (The Bet Duet Book 2) Page 8
