The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad

by O'Gorman, Cookie

  The thought had me pulling away fast, and if my heart wasn’t already going a mile a minute from the amazing kiss, it was hammering now. But for a completely different reason.

  “Something wrong?” he asked.

  “No,” I said, quickly disentangling myself from him and standing from the booth. Space, I thought. I just needed some space between us to get my mind right. Then maybe the fluttery feeling in my chest would go away. “Nothing’s wrong. Why would something be wrong? Everything’s great.”

  Colton gave me a funny look. “You sure? Because you’re rambling again.”

  I nodded probably too fast, fidgeting as I went to take off my jacket. “Sure, I’m awesome. But is it hot in here to you?”

  He tried to hide it, but I think he laughed. And why shouldn’t he? I was freaking the heck out.

  “You wanna go dance?” I asked, deciding this space wasn’t quite big enough. We needed a lot more distance between us. “I think I’m ready to go dance now.”

  “I don’t dance,” Colton frowned, and bingo, there was my escape.

  “Okay, well, I’ll see you later then.”

  I couldn’t get away from him fast enough. The thoughts I was having right before ending the kiss…they were trouble. The dangerous kind. My heart was getting confused. This was Colton, not Kyle. I was in love with Kyle. I’d always been in love with him—but then why was my heart still beating so hard after that kiss with his brother? Ugh, I thought. Don’t think about it. What I needed right now was to dance it out.

  Without a thought to being embarrassed, I moved to the beat of the Drake song currently blasting through the speakers. I let my hips sway and shook my head side to side, trying to shake it off. So, Colton could kiss. That didn’t mean anything. I just had to make sure my heart knew what my mind already did. This was just for the bet. Colton wanted to beat Kyle, and I wanted to complete my list. Period. Keep your dang feelings under control, Sadie Day, and there’d be no problem whatsoever.

  I was so caught up in my thoughts I didn’t realize someone had come up behind me until he spoke.

  “Sadie Elizabeth, what kind of moves are those? I can’t tell if it’s a weird mating call or you’re about to have a seizure.”

  I felt the guy lean closer, the next words whispered right into my ear.

  “And what the hell are you doing in Shots when I know your momma wouldn’t approve.”

  Spinning around, I grinned at the speaker.

  “Ash Cornelius Stryker,” I said, completely dismissing his tone of disapproval and smiling wide. I’d known Ash my entire life, our moms having been best friends forever, so his All-American boy-next-door look didn’t fool me. He was sarcastic and cocky and the closest thing I had to a brother, and I was happy as heck to see him. “I haven’t seen you in ages, college boy. What are you doing here?”

  Ash glared at me, but it just made me want to laugh. Besides, we were both still dancing, so I knew he wasn’t really mad.

  “I’m here to celebrate a win with my team,” Ash said. “Yours truly scored the game winning goal. But I repeat, why are you here? Does it have anything to do with that douche I saw you kissing earlier?”

  Looking back to the booth, I noticed Colton had company. He hadn’t moved, but now two girls had joined him at our table. I couldn’t see the girls’ faces clearly, but even from here, I knew they’d be beautiful. Colton looked perfectly happy with the situation. I winced, feeling the sting of something I’d never felt before yet recognized. Jealousy mixed with more than a dash of disappointment. Should’ve known, I thought. Garnering attention of the female variety had never been an issue for him. Plus, why shouldn’t he go from kissing me to finding his next hookup? It wasn’t like we were together. Colton was my coach. Nothing more, nothing less.

  Bringing my attention back to Ash, who was still dancing but watching me carefully, I said, voice neutral, “He brought me here, but it’s not what you think. We’re just friends.”

  “Friends who kiss?” he frowned. “I don’t know if you’re old enough to have that kind of friend, Sadie Elizabeth.”

  “Relax, faux big brother,” I said with an eyeroll. “There’s nothing going on with me and Colton.”

  He tilted his head as we danced around each other. “I can hear the disappointment in your voice. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were down about that.”

  “Nope.” I shook my head for emphasis. “He’s like you, completely uninterested, and I’m totally okay with that because I’m not either.”

  “Uninterested, huh? Let’s test that theory.”

  “What do you—”

  Before I could finish, Ash had swung us around and pulled me close, like way closer than I’d have allowed anyone else. I scowled up at him. He was lucky I didn’t knee him in the junk.

  “You’re so lucky I don’t knee you right now,” I hissed.

  “Please don’t,” Ash laughed. “You’re like my baby sister. I’m going to have nightmares about this as it is.”

  “What the heck do you think you’re doing?”

  “Just testing your boy over there,” he said and glanced back. “Oh, and he doesn’t look happy. For a guy you say’s not interested, he’s having a mighty fine reaction.”

  “Ash, seriously, what the heck?” I said. “What would Snow say about this?”

  If I’d thought mentioning his girlfriend’s name would deter him, I was mistaken.

  “Why don’t you ask her?” He lifted his chin, and I spotted his totally awesome/kick-ass girlfriend Snow, the one girl who was his perfect match in every way, sitting at a booth to our right. Snow smiled, nodded our way, and I gave a weak wave in return. “She’s the one who told me to come out here and dance with you.”

  “Ash, I really—”

  “Can I cut in?”

  Ash released me, and I turned to see Colton standing there, looking like…well, looking like he wanted to punch Ash.

  Either oblivious of this or not caring, Ash grinned. “I don’t know,” he said. “I’m a tough act to follow.”

  Colton gave him a once over. “If you say so.”

  “I do,” Ash said and thrust out a hand. “I do say so. Don’t know if she’s told you, but I’m Ash, Sadie’s first crush.”

  Oh my gosh. I couldn’t believe he just said that!

  “Nah, she never mentioned it,” Colton said, gripping his hand. “But I’m Colton, the guy who was her first kiss and her second, so I think I won that round.”

  Ash had stopped grinning. “You sound a little cocky there.”

  Instead of backing down, Colton took a step closer, the two standing nearly chest-to-chest. “Yeah well, I say you’re the cocky one.”

  They stared at each other, and the moment was heated. I wasn’t sure what was about to go down, but luckily, Snow was there to save the day.

  “Hey, is everything okay?” she said, putting a hand on Ash’s biceps, but keeping her eyes on Colton.

  “Fine,” Ash said, placing a hand over hers but not ending the stare down.

  “Great,” Colton said back.

  “It’s cool, just a little too much testosterone,” I said, doing my best to draw Colton away. If Snow, a real, honest-to-God ninja, really felt like Ash was in danger? She’d lay Colton out before he could blink. I’d seen her in action before. “They were just introducing themselves.”

  Two more people joined us which I thought was good. The more people the less aggression, right?

  “What’s going on over here?”

  I recognized the newcomer immediately. The guy was tall with dark brown hair, wearing a jersey like Ash, except his had “KENT” written on the back. You didn’t grow up in Chariot not knowing who Becks Kent was. The soccer phenom and current sophomore at UNC had one arm wrapped around his girlfriend, Sally Spitz, who I’d met through Ash. She was wearing a Gryffindor jersey that made me want one of my own—though mine would’ve been Slytherpuff for sure. I’d taken many tests and had it on good authority that I was a 50/50 s
plit of Slytherin and Hufflepuff.

  Ash still didn’t take his eyes off Colton. “Hey, Kent. Sadie’s friend here just called me cocky.”

  Becks gave it some thought then said, “Sounds accurate. So Stryker, we gonna keep celebrating our win, or do you two guys want some time alone?”

  Sally and I laughed which suddenly broke the tension. Ash backed off with a grin, putting his arm around Snow, who no longer looked ready to take Colton out. Thank goodness. For his part, Colton put a hand on my waist—which made me gasp—and he somehow ended up next to me.

  “The only person I want some alone time with is my girl Snow,” Ash said. “These two can do whatever they want.”

  “Yeah man, you go celebrate,” Colton said as if he and Ash hadn’t been giving each other the death stare a moment ago. “Sadie and I’ll stay here.”

  “Okay, you guys have fun,” Snow said, and Ash pointed a finger at us as she led him away. “Just not too much fun,” he said. “You hear that, Sadie Elizabeth?”

  Becks was shaking his head at his teammate. To his girlfriend, he said, “I still can’t believe you’re friends with him.”

  “One” Sally said, “we are friends with Ash—even if you refuse to admit it. And two, the Force is strong with him.” She smiled as Becks frowned. “Not as strong as it is with you, Baldwin. I’ve told you before, no one has a Force stronger than yours.”

  “Baldwin, huh,” Becks said, lifting her up as she gasped out a laugh. “Oh, you’re going to pay for that one, Sal.”

  “And I’m sure I’ll enjoy it,” she said which made me blush for some reason. To Colton and me, she waved, calling out as Becks carried her away, “It was nice seeing you again, Sadie.”

  “You, too,” I said.

  And with that, they disappeared into the crowd.

  About five seconds later, Colton said, his tone full of disbelief, “Did you actually have a crush on that Ash guy?”

  “I did,” I said.

  “Why?”

  “I was young. He was the cutest boy I’d ever seen.” I shrugged, turning to face him, never once forgetting his hand was still on my waist. “Our mothers were best friends, even gave birth at the same hospital. It seemed like fate.”

  “Fate,” Colton scoffed. “Only good girl-hopeless romantics believe in stuff like that.” I narrowed my eyes as he went on. “And cute? More like cocky as hell.”

  “Well, at least he can dance,” I said, testing out a theory.

  Colton scoffed again. “What he was doing just now? You call that dancing?”

  I tilted my head. “Unlike some guys, Ash knows how to move.”

  “Oh really?”

  “Yeah,” I said. “And you sound a little jealous, Colton.”

  Colton shook his head, a grin lifting his lips. “I’m not jealous, Sadie. I could dance circles around that guy.”

  He was jealous. And of Ash of all people. The thought made me want to laugh out loud, but I forced my face to remain blank.

  “Yeah?” I said, voice thick with sarcasm. “Prove it then.”

  Colton’s eyes flashed as pulled me close. “Fine, I will.”

  And boy did he.

  Throughout the entire next song, Colton’s hands never left my body. They started out on my waist—which you might’ve thought was innocent enough. But it didn’t feel that way, not with Colton. Big Tim had been my dance partner forever. I couldn’t count the number of times his hands had been in exactly the same place as Colton’s were now.

  But the way the boy in front of me gripped the curve of my waist…the way his fingers glided up and down my sides…the delicious pressure as his fingers clenched against my hips…it should’ve been illegal.

  I tried not to react, tried to remain indifferent. But the weird thing was our bodies just immediately seemed to sync together. His hips swayed, and mine moved in counterpart. I’d take a step, and Colton was right there with me. Moving with him was as natural as breathing. Though I admit, as he leaned in brushing his cheek against mine, my breath was a bit on the short side.

  The feeling of his breath on my neck gave me goosebumps.

  And still we moved together like a dream.

  “How you doing, Sadie?” he said into my ear as our bodies swayed in perfect harmony. “You’re breathing a little fast there.”

  With a swallow, I said, “I thought you said you couldn’t dance.”

  He chuckled, the air hitting my neck as he ducked his head.

  When Colton leaned back, it was almost worse because now I could see his eyes, and they bore right into mine, seemingly cool and unaffected. I had no idea what mine revealed, but I hoped it wasn’t too much.

  “I never said I couldn’t dance,” he said. “I said I don’t. Two completely different things.”

  “Apparently,” I muttered.

  It was chemistry.

  Pure and simple.

  And absolutely terrifying.

  Still, despite the fear and all of the mixed emotions, I might’ve stayed like that in his arms for at least another song (maybe two), but my phone started going off in my pocket. Stepping back, I pulled out my cell and looked at the screen.

  “It’s my mom,” I said, brows furrowed. “I told her I’d text when I got home, and she’s checking in to see if I made it alright.”

  “Well, we better get going then.”

  My head snapped up, and Colton seemed to be waiting for something, studying my expression.

  “Yeah,” I said, looking away, trying and failing to fight a blush that shouldn’t have been there, one that definitely shouldn’t have been brought on by the boy in front of me. “Let’s go.”

  I knew in reality it couldn’t have taken longer to get home than it had taken us to get to Shots, but the drive seemed to last forever. The uncomfortable silence that had descended ever since we got into the car didn’t help. Colton hadn’t said a word to me since we left the club. After our totally unexpected yet amazing dance.

  I sighed as we finally reached my driveway.

  Just as I opened the door and was about to step out of the car, Colton put a hand on my arm, said, “Hey, Sadie.”

  I looked back, and before I knew it, his lips were on mine.

  It wasn’t a long kiss by any means or an overly passionate one like our others had been. This kiss was more gentle, warm instead of scorching hot, but my breath caught just the same. When Colton released me and leaned back, his eyes were unreadable. I was sure mine were stunned. What was that for? I tried to convey the question with my eyes since my voice was currently incapable of speech.

  Colton ran his tongue over his lip ring then said, “Number 16 on your list. Kiss in the car.”

  I nodded. “Oh yeah, right. Thanks.”

  I wanted to slap myself as soon as the word was out of my mouth.

  Colton just grinned. “You’re welcome.”

  Before I could embarrass myself further, I hopped out of the car and shut the door. I had to put some space between us before I did something else stupid. When I got inside the house, I put my back against the door and tried to calm my breathing.

  There is no way you are falling for Colton Bishop, I reminded myself. You love Kyle, remember? You best friend? The best guy you’ve ever met? It doesn’t matter that he’s gay. It doesn’t matter that he’s unavailable to you. Your heart is true, and you will not waver.

  My phone buzzed in my hand, interrupting my internal mantra.

  I looked down and tried to ignore the way my heart jumped at the name on the screen.

  Colton Freakin’ Bishop: Don’t forget to text your mom. Tell her what a great dancer I am ;). See u soon.

  I caught myself smiling even before I heard Colton’s car drive away—which told me he’d waited for me to get inside before leaving. Which shouldn’t have impressed me and definitely didn’t mean anything.

  “It doesn’t mean anything,” I said to myself as I texted mom and walked upstairs to mark a few more items off my list. “Don’t think about it anym
ore because it doesn’t mean anything.”

  If only I could stop replaying that kiss, our dance, the whole night in my mind, I might’ve believed it.

  Needless to say, I got zero sleep.

  It was good and bad in a way. Good because my mind was racing, the creative juices flowing, and I got all of my choreography done, completing the dance I planned to submit to Dancer’s Edge. And it was freaking awesome if I did say so myself. Definitely my best work yet. Bad because…well, I needed two guys, knew exactly who I wanted them to be, but at least one of them was probably—strike that—he was definitely going to say hell no.

  Shaking my head, I picked up my cell and called the one I knew I could depend on.

  Kyle picked up on the first ring.

  “Sadie,” he said, and I could tell he was smiling. “My long-lost best friend, how are you this fine Sunday morning?”

  “Kyle,” I sighed. “God, it’s good to hear your voice.”

  “Good to hear yours, too. Is something going on?”

  I stiffened. “No. Why do you say that?”

  “Well, you sound a little off, and my brother told me—after much prodding—what you guys did last night.”

  “He did?” I choked.

  “Yeah,” Kyle said slowly, “he said you guys checked three more things off your list. Colt wouldn’t tell me what though…which seemed ominous. You want to tell me what the big secret is?”

  “No secret,” I said, nearly melting with relief. If Colton hadn’t told Kyle, that meant last night wasn’t a big deal to him. Our dance, that incredible kiss and the surprise one as I left the car…they meant nothing to him as I’d suspected. I frowned. Why didn’t I feel more relieved about that? “It’s true. We got three more done. And I kind of needed your help to complete another. It’s a big one.”

  “Oh now, I’m intrigued. Do I smell a Sadie Day project coming on?”

  “You do.”

  Kyle laughed. “Excellent. You know I’m always there for you.”