by Liz Lovelock
Paislee: Look, this is the first time I’ve ever used an app like this, and I’ll be honest—I’m not ready to meet just yet. I’d rather get to know a little more about you through messages.
Callan: That’s okay. I understand. What would you like to know?
Paislee: Tell me about your family?
Callan: Ha ha—family. I’m an only child. My parents are working people—always busy with their own lives. I live on college campus. Play football. Enjoy any kind of sports, really.
Paislee: My brother plays basketball for the college. I enjoy similar things to you. I love hanging out with my friends and having a good time.
“I see your fingers are busy.”
If I had a drink, I’d be spitting it across the room. “I could totally take that the wrong way.” I laugh.
“Did Callan message you back?” Jase asks.
“Yep. He seems nice enough. He’s already asked me to meet with him. I told him not right now. I’m not that silly.”
Jase hands me a hot dog smothered in ketchup and mustard.
“How did you know this was my favorite?” I ask, astounded at his choice of food.
“Parker was up there when I was ordering. Lucky, hey?” He takes his seat beside me.
We eat in silence. My thoughts turn to Dane. Where is he? Is he on a date with another girl? I suppose I can’t talk. Here I am, sitting with another guy while messaging a third guy about a date. At least Jase and I have been able to discuss things, and he is genuinely okay with it all.
Addison and Elsie are walking toward us. “Hey, are you staying? Or are you going to come home with us, back to Parker’s place?” Elsie asks.
I’ll feel guilty if I leave Jase here, considering he’s my date.
As though he senses my hesitation, he says, “It’s alright. You go with them.” He grins reassuringly.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I don’t think you’ll be doing too much more skating.” He nods at my wrist. “I’ll message you.” He leans over and wraps me in his large arms.
I can’t help the quiet sigh I release. He smells damn good, spicy and fresh. “Okay. Thanks for a good night, even though I’m pretty hopeless when it comes to skating.” I roll my eyes at the memories of all my falls tonight. Any other girl would probably have been completely embarrassed—not me, though. I cracked up the whole time. Perhaps my concentration lapsed with all the laughing.
We say our goodbyes, and I make my way back to Parker’s with my friends.
“How was your night?” Elsie asks while shimmying her hips. “We saw you both getting cozy.”
I’m mindful of Parker, who is standing in his kitchen. I catch his arm tensing as he stands at the door of the fridge. Perhaps it’s the younger-sister-dating thing that gets him all twitchy. “Look, we’re just friends. We’ve spoken about it, and we’re both good with that decision.”
“Oh, that’s great,” Elsie says while sitting on Aiden’s lap beside me.
The front door opens, and laugher billows through like a gust of wind. There are two people—a girl and a guy. I’d know his laugh anywhere. Just as I think it, Dane steps around the corner and stops dead in his tracks. His panicked eyes bounce over all of us then pause on me.
Everyone has become deathly silent, except Parker, who is oblivious to the tension that’s suddenly filled the room. I’ve never seen the girl before. She has black hair cut in a short do, like a bob. Thick, dark eyeliner has been traced around her eyes. She’s got a slim build. Really, she looks perfect in every way. Even her bright-red lips have me staring at them. Then she smiles. Her short, denim skirt sits way above her knees. She’s the complete opposite of me.
I shouldn’t be hurt. I’ve been dating Jase.
Perhaps he’s trying to move on. I should let him.
The ache in my chest tells me otherwise. It’s as if someone is sitting on my lungs. Am I even breathing? I have to be since I haven’t passed out yet.
“Hey, what have you been up to?” Parker gives Dane a sly grin. I know exactly what that one means: ‘What have you been up to with this girl?’
I should go. I don’t think I want to be here for this.
Dane stutters over his words before clearing his throat and starting again. “We’ve just been down to the beach. Guys, this is Jasmine.”
Her lips pull wide, and she lifts her hand before waving to us all. I’m smiling—well, I hope I am. I want to be happy for him. Right now, I’m not sure I can be.
I abruptly stand. All heads swing my way. “Nice to meet you, Jasmine. Well, I’m going to head off.”
“I thought you were going to stay?” Parker walks toward the couches from the kitchen.
I chew my bottom lip. What do I say? That I want to be anywhere other than where Dane and Jasmine are? “Nah, I messaged Mom and told her I’d be home tonight.”
He nods, accepting my lie. “Alright. Also, I’m sorry things didn’t work out with you and Jase.”
I swipe my hand. “Don’t worry about it. I enjoy his company, and we’re better off as friends.” I give the room a sweet smile and walk out.
I release a loaded breath when I step onto the porch. I want to run. Or maybe hide in a hole and stay there.
I punch my pillow for the hundredth time. Sleep is not my friend tonight. My head is playing a mean trick on me. The moment I shut my eyes, all these images pop into my mind. The main thought I keep having is that Dane has possibly got that girl asleep in his bed, and that’s if they’re even actually sleeping. I think my heart dies a little at the mental picture.
My phone vibrates on the bedside table. “Who the hell would message me this late?” I mumble. Leaning over, I grab it. It’s two in the morning, and Dane’s name lights up my phone.
Dane: Are you all right?
I want to yell at him. To scream and let him know that I’m not okay. I don’t hate Jasmine. I simply dislike her. I can’t hate her, since she hasn’t done anything to me. Well, she has, but she doesn’t know that.
Paislee: Yep.
Yep, I’m using a short answer because it packs a punch. I could easily go on a date with the guy from the app. That would surely rile Dane up a little more.
I shake my head. Who the hell am I to purposely go out of my way and want to cause Dane hurt? He is only doing what I have been doing—trying to move on.
His response is like lightning.
Dane: I’m sorry about tonight.
Paislee: You have nothing to be sorry about.
As much as I don’t want to write that, it’s the right thing to say.
Dane: Yes, I do. I hurt you.
Paislee: And I hurt you when I went out with Jase, twice.
Dane: True.
Paislee: How did you meet her?
Dane: We met down at the shore, and we just started hanging out tonight.
Paislee: Is she in your bed right now?
Dane: No.
Paislee: Hmm…
Dane: What’s that supposed to mean?
Paislee: Nothing.
Dane: Look, you can’t be mad at me. You were just out with Jase tonight.
Paislee: I know that, and I’m trying to be nice here. Jase and I are just friends. He has noticed how you and I are with each other. He knows where my heart is.
Dane: He’s a good guy. I wouldn’t mind if you did stay with him.
Paislee: It wouldn’t feel right to me. It would be forced and that’s not me. I miss someone who stole my heart a while ago now. It’s complicated.
Dane: I understand. It is. I really thought Parker was going to knock me out the other day.
Paislee: LOL. You and me both. It didn’t help that my dad had shown up and thrown our world into a tailspin.
Dane: Yeah, that’s crazy. Have you seen him again since?
Paislee: Yes. Tonight, before I went out. He seems nice enough. I can only give him a chance. He’s going to have to work harder to tame the beast: Parker.
Dane: That’s for sure. Good l
uck to him. Well, I’m going to try and get some sleep. I miss you, Pais.
Paislee: I miss you too. ILY.
My heart races as I drop the abbreviation for I love you. I’ve never said the words since we were unofficial.
Dane: What does that mean?
Paislee: You’ll figure it out eventually.
I grin at my screen. I must look like a fool. He doesn’t reply again, and sleep comes so much easier.
I’m sure I go to sleep with a stupid smirk on my face.
Callan: Good morning, beautiful.
I stare at the message. The weekend flew by, and here I am, racing to my first class. I’m too busy looking down, and I smack into a firm body. I stumble back. Strong arms catch mine.
“Whoa, where’s the fire?” Jase teases.
“Oh, hey.” I steady myself back on my feet, and Jase releases his grip on me.
“Always falling at my feet, I see.” He winks. I smack him on the arm. It tenses.
Damn, so firm. “Shut up. You wish I was falling at your feet.”
His hand comes to his chest as he cries out in mock pain.
“You’re full of it.” I hoist my backpack up and start walking. He slips in beside me and throws his arm over my shoulder. Not even a flutter happens in my stomach.
“How’s the app boy going? Did you message him over the weekend?”
“Yeah. He seems alright. Well, he’s saying all the right things. He’s already started calling me beautiful.” I must sound pretty disgusted by that, because Jase pulls me tighter against him.
“You are beautiful, though.”
If my heart didn’t belong to someone else, I have no doubt I’d still be dating Jase.
Eyes follow Jase and me as we walk the halls to our classes. “You’re a smooth talker.”
We stop as I’ve made it to my English class. Jase leans over. He moves in closer. Is he going to try to kiss me? Abort. Abort.
Before I manage to move, his soft lips press to my cheek. Then, his warm breath hits my ear. “Well, only we know the truth about our friendship, and if it keeps the groupies away from me, then I’m all for it.”
I place my hand on his chest and push him. “You’re terrible.” I point a finger at him while grinning. “I’m not your deterrent for crazy girls.” I shake my head.
“Oh, come on,” he teases. His blue eyes shimmer. His short hair is perfectly sculpted in place. Another opposite feature to Dane.
I find myself comparing all guys to Dane more and more. No one has ever come close to him, by my standards.
“Get lost.” I walk away from Jase, shaking my head again.
Callan: Are you not talking to me?
I sigh as I read it. I am not interested in this guy. I scrunch my nose up at the message. Alarm bells are already ringing. Yes, he seems nice. But he also comes across as someone who demands attention. It’s only been four hours since his last message. Why would he think I’m ignoring him?
A body plops beside me under the large shady tree where I’ve hidden myself. This spot is my escape. There’s only one other person who knows about it, and he’s just sat down.
“What’s up?” Dane greets. My stomach flips and my heart rate spikes. I sit up a little straighter, taking in his gorgeous appearance. He wears his red basketball shorts with a black tank, showing off his perfectly toned, muscular arms. My safety blankets. I take in the view of him as he leans against the trunk.
My eyes dance around the field in front of us. “Uh, nothing. What are you doing? How’s Jasmine going?”
“Don’t say her name like it’s a bad word.” He chuckles.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to.” I totally meant to. Dane raises his hand and rakes it through his hair. Oh, that move has my insides dancing like a fool. “You’re making your move again, are you?”
He turns toward me, his brow pulled down. “What?”
“The hand through the hair. Your signature move.” I waggle my eyebrows, shoving him in the shoulder. Gee, he is solid. He’s more built than Parker, that’s for sure, and could drop him easily. He wouldn’t, though. Best friends don’t hit best friends. And it’s always the team first and foremost within the group. The girls support that.
“Whatever you reckon.” A small silence settles between us. It’s comfortable and peaceful. The birds around us sing their songs and flitter through the tree above us. I hope they don’t poop on either of us.
I found this spot after my first day on campus. When I need a moment for myself during or between classes, I come here.
Dane found me here one day after we’d first hooked up. I wasn’t sure where we stood with each other. It was here that we decided to keep things quiet and enjoy one another. A small part of me wants to go back to that. Another part wants everyone to know. I want to be able to sing our relationship from the rooftops of the college buildings.
“What brings you here?” I finally break the silence.
His shoulders shrug. “I don’t know. I wanted to be near you. Pais… can’t we give this another go as a full-blown couple?”
My eyes widen with his question. “What about Parker?”
His head drops and stays there for a second before his shining eyes bore into mine. “Can we deal with him at a later date? I want you back. I want us to be in a relationship. No more of this unofficial stuff. I want you. I love you too.”
My chest seizes at his proclamation of love. “Are you being serious?” I spin my body to face him. A lump has lodged in my throat. My hand runs over my head. I’m not sure if I want to jump for joy or slink away like I have been to save my feelings. I can’t go living in secret again.
He reaches over and takes my hand in his. I take in our locked hands and his face.
“I’m as serious as a heart attack.” He grins one of his panty-melting grins.
How does he have this effect on me? I want to climb him like a tree and settle in his arms forever. “So, it will go back to how it was before?”
He sighs. “Only for a short time. I promise. I want you back in my bed. I promise not to push you out this time, and I promise to never push you away again. It’s you, always has been.”
Leaning over, I press my eager lips to his. His large arms wrap around me, and we topple onto the grass. Both of us break out laughing in the middle of our kiss. Our first kiss in a while. I’ve missed his lips. His touch. His scent. Everything about him. “So, you figured out what my little code meant?”
“If you think that was hard, you need to try again.”
Our faces are inches from each other. I soak up his soft, playful features. The tense lines that had been marring his face have faded. “I’d hoped you’d figure it out. I’ve desperately wanted to tell you for so long, but I wasn’t sure you felt the same way.”
“I do and so much more. You’re my everything, Paislee. No matter what happens. I’ll take all the punches your brother throws at me—although, I hope he doesn’t,” he jokes.
I smack his chest. I’ve missed his closeness. It’s all I’ve wanted for the past few weeks.
At least now I know what I’m going to do when it comes to Callan and the stupid app. “So, what are you going to tell Jasmine?” I lay my head on his chest and listen to the rhythm of his heart. It’s racing.
“I’ve already told her that it wasn’t going to work out. She’s moved on already.” He shrugs.
“When are we going to tell Parker?”
There’s silence momentarily, then he says, “When he’s in a good mood.”
I grin at his response.
“Can you come over tonight?”
I nod. “Wild storms couldn’t keep me away.”
Dane moves and his lips press against my forehead.
This is what I have been waiting for. A white flag has been waved, and the battle that’s been going on within me is at peace.
“You’re back together then?” Addison asks as she shoves some of her salad in her mouth.
I nod. “Yep. It’s all official. W
ell, not out-in-the-world official. We still have to tell Parker.” Addison and I are at Crabbies, the same place Jase took me for our date.
“What are you going to do about the guy you’ve been chatting to on the dating app?”
“Tell him I’m off the market and close down the app. I didn’t feel comfortable meeting guys that way.” I unlock my phone and show Addison the six messages from Callan that are sitting there. I still haven’t replied to him.
Her eyebrows shoot up. “He seems pretty aggressive in the way he’s contacting you.”
“I know. Who says, ‘Can you please answer me’ four times?”
The waitress stops by and drops off some water. I ordered the surf and turf again. It is, once again, mouthwatering. Dane would love this.
“I’d be running from that.” Addison nods at my phone.
“I couldn’t agree more. What should I write back?” I hit the reply button.
Paislee: Hi, Callan. Sorry for the late response—I’ve been busy. Look, I’ve also been doing some thinking, and I’m sorry, but I can’t let this go any further. Thanks for reaching out to me. I wish you all the best.
I flip the phone toward Addison. She’s silent a moment then nods. “Yep, send it. Get rid of that creeper.”
I hit send. A huge weight lifts off me when the message goes. I then quickly deactivate my account. “I probably should have waited for his reply before deactivating my account.”
Addison laughs. “Probably, but he’ll see that you disappeared. Trust me, someone who is messaging like that… you don’t need him stalking you. You didn’t tell him where you go to school or anything?”
“No, but Elsie put our hometown in there. Do you think I should be worried?”
“Shut up. I’m looking out for you. Not to mention that army of ours that’s always hanging around.”
I swipe my forehead dramatically. “Phew.” And then I reach out and touch her arm and say more seriously, “I know you are, and I’m thankful for that.”
She takes her glass and drinks half of her water in one go. “Are you going to come to the court tomorrow? It’s not our usual night, but I want you to come. I need another girl to help me whoop their asses.”
