Kissing The Hero (The Dangers of Dating a Diva Book 2)

by Christina Benjamin

  Oh no, oh no, oh no!

  I forced myself to breathe, as Candace turned toward me, my phone still in her hand. “I think you dropped something,” she said.

  “R-right, sorry,” I stammered, holding my hand out. “Um, thanks for grabbing it.”

  To my surprise, Candace smiled, and not her fake mean girl smile. “You know, I totally knew it was you.”

  I blinked at her like I’d forgotten how to speak.

  “Singing,” she continued. “You’ve always had such a great voice.”

  What?

  The hamster wheel in my brain was spinning out of control as I tried to find the insult in her compliment. But there was none.

  Was Candace Kennedy actually being nice to me?

  “Um, thanks,” I managed when I realized she was waiting for a response.

  She handed me my phone and started to walk away, but then she turned back.

  Here it comes.

  I knew she couldn’t be nice with no reason. I held my breath waiting for whatever insult she was about to spear me with. But instead she said, “You should sit with us at lunch.”

  “What?”

  “Totally. We can talk wardrobe for the competition. Plus,” she lowered her voice. “I know some of the girls you’re up against from the pageant circuit. I can fill you in on all their weaknesses.”

  “Oh, um . . . thanks?” What did one say to that?

  Candace smiled, conspiratorially. “See ya at lunch.”

  “See ya.”

  The rest of the day continued in the same strange haze of unexpected praise and conversations. People who’d never spoken to me before were now talking to me as if we’d been lifelong friends.

  It was startling.

  After being mostly invisible while walking the halls of Northwood High, it was hard to get used to so much attention. And when two freshman girls stopped me to ask for an autograph, I truly felt like I’d fallen into an alternate reality.

  I wanted to say no, because who was I to be signing autographs, but they were so sweet.

  “Your song like totally changed my perspective,” the one said.

  “Me too,” the other added. “I feel so much less alone now.”

  “Wow . . .” I struggled for words. “I’m so happy to hear that.”

  “Yeah. Thanks, so much for sharing that song,” the little brunette added.

  “You’re totally our hero,” her friend said.

  The brunette blushed. “We want to write music, too.”

  I grinned. “You should. It’s really been a great outlet for me.”

  “How do we get started?” the brunette asked.

  “Well, I actually learned a lot from the pep band.”

  “Really?” they said in unison.

  “Yeah. Mrs. Baker is an amazing musician. And she has tons of resources to help get you started. She helped connect me with people who give piano and guitar lessons.”

  The girls beamed at each other. “Thanks so much.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I told you she’d be cool,” I heard one of them whisper as they hurried away.

  I couldn’t help smiling. This was what it was all about—making a difference with my music. My chest felt so full of joy I could’ve floated down the hall.

  For the millionth time, I wished Wyatt were here. He deserved so much of the credit that I was getting. Yes, I’d always had the talent inside of me, but he’d brought it out. I guess sometimes, we just need that one person who gives us the strength to show ourselves to the world.

  Wyatt had become that person for me.

  That thought made me glow even more than the praise my music was getting.

  I found myself wondering when it had happened—the shift between Wyatt and me. We’d gone from enemies, to partners, to friends to . . . what were we now?

  My heart beat out an answer that my mind stubbornly refused.

  Today had reinforced my decision to put my music first, but that still didn’t make it any easier to ignore my feelings for Wyatt.

  One thing was certain, he wasn’t the boy I’d first thought he was. He was so much more. My heart warmed as I thought about all the amazing ways my life had changed in the short while I’d known him. It made me feel even worse about the way we’d left things yesterday.

  I don’t know what had possessed me to tell him about the whole Lola prom debacle. It was last year, and Lola would kill me if she knew I’d told him about it. The girl had truckloads of ego, but it could be bruised easily.

  I hadn’t meant to say anything, but it just slipped out when Wyatt started talking about prom. That was the problem with our relationship. I was getting too comfortable around him. Without my guard up, not only was it easier to fall for him, but it was also easier to let him in and apparently divulge sworn secrets.

  I groaned, knowing I was going to have to tell Lola what I’d done.

  Hopefully, she was really as over him as she’d said. I looked at my phone, wondering if I should just rip the Band-Aid off now so she had some time to get over her anger before she was mono-free and back at school. The last we’d spoken she said she’d be cleared to return in a few weeks.

  But then I thought about Wyatt. If I told Lola I’d blurted out her secret, then he’d have to deal with her wrath, too. He didn’t deserve that. Despite what he wanted the world to believe, he was actually a really good guy. Which was half the problem. It was making it harder and harder for me to resist the sweet guy I saw behind his bad boy persona.

  I found myself wondering why he felt the need to keep up his tough guy reputation. He’d let me see through it and there was nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, it was the opposite. Maybe if I could convince him to show that side to Lola we could all move past this.

  The idea of my best friend and the boy I liked not hating each other was appealing. It would certainly make it easier for me to explore my feelings for Wyatt without feeling so guilty. But who should I talk to first?

  I scrolled to my favorites on my phone, my finger hovering between Lola and Wyatt. I decided I’d start with Wyatt first. After all, I had the most news for him.

  A smile formed as I pictured his response to the news of my warm reception at school today. I could practically see the I-told-you-so smirk on his sinful lips.

  Geez! Just thinking about his lips had me all flustered.

  I decided to start simple, with a text.

  Me: Hi. It’s me. Just wishing you luck today. Text me when you’re done and tell me how it went.

  My phone rang a moment after I sent my text. I was already grinning as I pulled it to my ear. “Hey,” I said, a smile in my voice.

  “OMG! Layne! What did you do?”

  I pulled the phone away from my face quickly to protect my ear from the high-pitched squealing. I already knew it wasn’t Wyatt on the other end, but panic seized me when I saw Lola’s contact photo lighting up my phone.

  Shoot! How did she find out I’d told Wyatt about prom already?

  I swallowed my guilt and tentatively put the phone back to my ear.

  “Layne? Layne? Are you still there?” Lola asked.

  “I’m here. Your ears must be burning,” I said with a nervous laugh. “I was just thinking about you.”

  “I should hope so! You have a lot of explaining to do.”

  “Yeah, um, about that. I’m not really sure how it happened—”

  “Who cares! I’m just glad whatever you’re doing is working.”

  “Wait. What?”

  “Layne, you did it! You’re number one on the voting site.”

  “I am?”

  “Yes! Now spill, girl! I want to hear everything.”

  My guilty conscious took a minute to catch up. “You’re talking about my music, right?”

  “Of course! I take back everything I said about Wyatt. Whatever you two are doing is working. I’ve never heard you sound so incredible. I seriously did a fist pump the first time I listened to that song. I’m so freak
ing proud of you, Layne! Ah! Eat your heart out, Jenna! Team Layne all the way!”

  My eyes welled with tears. I had the best friend ever. I didn’t deserve her. I only hoped she was still willing to be Team Layne after I told her that I sort of spilled her embarrassing prom secret to Wyatt. It was time to rip off the Band-Aid.

  “Lola,” I started, but as usual it wasn’t easy getting a word in edgewise when Lola was excited.

  “I wish I could see the look on Jenna’s face when you beat her! Who’s the diva now?” Lola boasted. “My best friend, that’s right.”

  “You know I’m not actually competing against Jenna, right? I’m going for the songwriter scholarship; she’s going for the singing one.”

  “Details,” Lola replied. “But seriously, Layne, I always knew you had it in you, but dang, girl! I’m actually glad I’m not well enough to sing. I think you would blow me out of the water.”

  “Not true.”

  “I don’t know. We have different styles for sure, but still, those pipes! All that practice shouting at Wyatt’s stupid jerky face must be paying off.”

  “Um, actually, Wyatt hasn’t really been a jerk at all.”

  Lola laughed. “Yeah, okay. Have you been staring at the voting site all day? All that screen time might be warping your brain.”

  “No, I haven’t even looked at it. I had no idea my song was winning until you called.”

  “Seriously? What have you been doing all day?”

  Figuring out how to tell you the truth. “I don’t know. I’m at school.”

  “I can’t believe you didn’t know! I know you hate social media, but I figured Wyatt would’ve at least been checking the results.”

  “He’s not at school today.”

  “What? Why not?”

  “He had a doctor appointment.”

  “Ooo, for what? Something scandalous?”

  “I’m pretty sure it’s just a follow up on his ankle.”

  “Pretty sure? So, it could actually be that he’s a secret baby daddy or something?”

  I laughed at her insane imagination. “I know you have every reason to think the worst when it comes to Wyatt, but he’s actually a pretty nice guy.”

  “Okay, what gives?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “That’s the second time you’ve defended him. I realize he’s your partner for the next few days, but you’re my best friend.”

  “I know.” I swallowed, realizing I was about to take the plunge and tell her what I’d done. Lola, I accidentally told Wyatt your secret, and oh yeah, I think I’m falling for him.

  I cringed. How was I supposed to do this? I took a deep breath. “I-I guess, it’s just that . . .”

  Lola sighed dramatically. “Hold on, Layne. My mom’s yelling at me.”

  I heard a muffled argument on Lola’s end of the line. When she came back her voice lacked its usual pep. “Sorry, I have to go. I’ve apparently used up my ten minutes of voice time.”

  “What?”

  “You know my mom. She follows the letter of the law, which now includes doctors’ orders. I need to rest my voice.”

  “Oh, okay. Well, I want you to get better soon, so do what she says.”

  Lola huffed. “I never thought I’d say this, but I cannot wait to get back to school. Living vicariously through you isn’t working.”

  “Hey!”

  “No offense, the whole being top songwriting diva is amazing, but I need more details! I’m dying for juicy gossip over here!”

  I heard Lola’s mom call her name again.

  “Okay, Mom! Geez. Text me,” Lola said. “Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  And just like that I was saved by the kissing virus—how ironic!

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Wyatt

  “I know you’re disappointed,” my mother said as we drove home from my doctor appointment. “We can get a second opinion, but you knew this was a possibility.”

  “I’m more than disappointed, Mum,” I grumbled.

  That was putting it mildly. I could think of quite a few choice words to describe my current feelings and none of them were as tame as ‘disappointed’.

  “Honestly, darling. What did you expect? You’ve been off gallivanting all over with that girl.”

  “I’m sorry, weren’t you the one who told me to work with that girl?”

  My mother sighed, choosing her next words carefully. “You know I don’t mean anything by it. I’m glad things are going well for you two. I don’t want this diagnosis to get in the way of what you’re doing but—”

  I cut my mother off with a glare. “I’m not backing out on Layne because of my stupid ankle!”

  “Darling, I’m not saying that. I’m sure there’s a way for you to do both. But I need you to put your health first or you’re going to end up needing surgery.”

  I stared out the passenger side window, wishing I could’ve just put this stupid appointment off until after the competition. It was putting a serious damper on my mood.

  Just yesterday I’d been envisioning getting my boot off in time for prom and dancing under the fake stars with Layne in my arms.

  No chance of that happening now. With my luck, I’d be spending prom in a hospital bed.

  Stupid ankle!

  Why couldn’t I just have a normal sprain? No, I had to be extra and tear two ligaments. A problem that I’d apparently exacerbated by gallivanting around, as my mother called it. I called it going about my normal life.

  I mean, I was still expected to go to school. And she’s the one who told me to join the singing competition. True, I could’ve done all that without my usual flare, but what fun was that? And everything I’d done had paid off. Layne actually had a chance of winning this thing.

  Without dragging her to a karaoke bar or to visit my grandparents, she’d still be afraid of her own shadow. But now, now she was on her way to stardom.

  I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips when I thought about how far she’d come. My little diva.

  Speaking of Layne . . . I pulled out my phone to text her. I wanted to see how everything had gone at school today, and this was the first chance I’d gotten since I’d spent my day getting poked and prodded and scanned.

  I opened my screen and felt my heart swell as I saw an unopened message from Layne waiting for me.

  Layne: Hi. It’s me. Just wishing you luck today. Text me when you’re done and tell me how it went.

  My grin widened as I began typing a response, until my mother’s voice disrupted me.

  “You really like this girl, don’t you?” she asked.

  I cut my eyes at her. Nope, we definitely weren’t going there!

  I loved my mother, but we didn’t have the kind of relationship where I could talk to her about who I may or may not have feelings for. I looked back at my phone. Maybe I should wait until I had some privacy to text Layne back. Or better yet, I could just drive over to see her once I got home.

  I slipped my phone back in my pocket and turned my gaze out the window. “What time do you think we’ll be home?”

  I could see my mother’s eyebrows raise from the corner of my vision. “Why? Do you have plans?”

  I shrugged. “I was thinking about going over to Layne’s.”

  My mother huffed a laugh. “Did you not hear anything the doctor said to you?”

  “What? He said to take it easy. I’m not running a marathon.”

  She shook her head and pursed her lips trying to contain her temper. “Laying low, means just that, Wyatt. You’re not going out tonight. And if you push your luck you won’t be going out for the rest of the school year.”

  I rolled my eyes and let my head fall back against the seat. This was why I didn’t tell her things. My life worked better when my parents didn’t pretend they knew how to parent.

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  Layne

  By the time the dismissal bell rang, I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to talk to Wyatt. He w
as the only one who would truly understand what today had meant to me. I was blown away by the awesome reception from my classmates. They actually liked my music and wanted to talk to me about it.

  And the only thing that could make today even better was sharing it with Wyatt.

  I knew I still needed to talk to Lola about my feelings for Wyatt and spilling her secret, but even that wasn’t dampening my excitement. I’d decided to just concentrate on the competition for now. It was only four days away. After that, I’d tell Lola everything and figure out where to go from there.

  I checked my phone one more time as I walked out to the parking lot. No messages from Wyatt. I’d even texted him a second time to see how his appointment went, but I hadn’t heard back.

  I shielded my eyes as I stepped into the blinding afternoon sun. For a moment I half expected Wyatt to be leaning against Scarlet’s glossy paint job, his long legs crossed at the ankles, waiting for me like some swoon-worthy John Hughes character. But nope. The parking lot was one hero short today.

  I started my long walk home, wondering if maybe I should send another text. I didn’t want to seem desperate, but it was strange that I hadn’t heard from Wyatt all day. Lola was right, he probably would’ve checked the voting site by now. And if he saw how well our song was doing, wouldn’t he have called? Or at least texted?

  A little bubble of panic lodged itself in my chest. Was something wrong? I knew he had a doctor appointment, but how long did a follow-up for a sprained ankle take?

  It was silly to worry. I knew Wyatt, probably better than most. If there was something wrong, he would’ve told me.

  I checked my watch. He was probably home by now. Maybe I should just swing by his place to check on him. I could bring him a donut from Sweet Pea’s and we could celebrate all our good news together—my music and his ankle.

  I let a moment of hesitation creep in at the thought of showing up uninvited, but then I remembered all the times Wyatt just dropped by my house, and my doubts vanished.

  He’d be happy to see me. He’d be happy to share in my excitement. That was the thing I loved most about him. He was happiest when I was happy.