Mutual Hatred - Love Game (29 page)

"Any other girl would have made out with me by now," said Brandon.

"Then I guess you didn't get the memo that I'm not just
any other girl
."

"I know that," Brandon said softly. "That's why I like you."

"Really?" Shelley realized her voice sounded breathy.

"Yeah," said Brandon, closing the distance between them. He tilted her chin up. "Didn't you know that?"

She didn't say anything, only leaned in closer.

This
was it. Brandon could feel it.

But instead of a kiss, she smirked at him.

"Nice try, Brandy-poo, but I don't kiss on first dates."

"But this isn't our first," said Brandon as he pulled away, clearly disappointed.

"True, but when I say first dates, I mean the first, like, ten dates."

"No!" groaned Brandon. "If you had gone with me to Homecoming, that
so
would have counted as ten dates."

"But I didn't want to go," pointed out Shelley. "And besides, you didn't ask me until after we won the game, and that was the night before the dance! So it's pretty much your fault that I'm not all over you right now."

"Point taken."

"But if you go see the Backstreet Boys with me, I might make an exception," grinned Shelley.

"Hell no!" snorted Brandon. "I wouldn't be caught dead there, even if I was with you."

She'd known he'd refuse. Brandon wanted to kiss her, but he didn't want to that badly.

"Then you'll just have to wait," she said simply. "I guess I'll go with Johnny. Maybe I'll let him make out with me."

"You wouldn't," Brandon said coolly, but there was a trace of panic in his voice.

"Jealous?"

"You know I am."

Definitely not the answer she'd been expecting. Shelley had expected to hear something along the lines of "Fuck no!" or even "Are you fucking insane?"

But noooooo. Brandon Miller just
had
to be honest.

"Good night, Brandon," said Shelley, turning to go inside.

"Back at ya," said Brandon, shoving his hands into his pockets. "So will I ever get to kiss you?"

"Maybe when I know for sure that your feelings are for real and not because you're trying to save your pride."

Good heavens, did she
know
? How could she know? Brandon had only told his father, who surely wouldn't tell anyone else. Chelsey and Shelley were sworn enemies, enough reason for Brandon to believe that Chelsey wouldn't have told Shelley.

Coincidence. It just had to be a fucking pure coincidence.

Chapter 24 – A Conflict of Interests

Shelley was waiting for Johnny outside the locker room after practice the next day. The team had put in a really great effort into practice this week, seeing as their first CIF playoff game was in two days.

She still couldn't believe they'd made it that far. Neither could they.

Johnny was the first to come out of the locker room, just like he always was. Shelley sped up to walk alongside him.

"So Johnny, are you interested in going to a concert with me?" she asked.

"To have the honor of being in your presence? Oh, that would be a dream come true!" Johnny said mockingly, but he was smiling.

"Is that a yes?"

"Whose concert is it? Green Day? Fall Out Boy? Motion City?" guessed Johnny.

"Not quite. Try again!"

"Panic! At the Disco?" he frowned when Shelley shook her head. "The Killers? Daphne Loves Derby? I give up, just tell me and I promise I'll go with you!"

Poor Johnny was unaware that he'd just signed his death wish. Shelley had been planning on making him go with her to see the Backstreet Boys, but here he was volunteering himself! All the better for her.

"You promise?" Shelley asked carefully.

"Scout's honor," Johnny said proudly.

"Great! Because we're going to see," she paused for a moment to build up excitement, "The Backstreet Boys!"

"What the flying fuck?" yelled Johnny. "Do I look like a fag to you?"

"No shit, Sherlock," said Brandon, who had come up from behind the two and slung an arm around Shelley's shoulders. "You're a flaming homosexual, or have you forgotten?"

"Fucker. You jealous because she invited me over you to go see the fucking Backstreet fucking Boys," taunted Johnny.

"Are you insane?" Brandon looked incredulous. "I was the one who got her the tickets!"

"And yet she wasn't grateful enough to invite you. So instead she asked
me
," smirked Johnny.

"She asked me to go last night, dipshit. But since I wouldn't be caught dead at that concert, I politely declined."

Brandon, Shelley, and Johnny all knew what Brandon was trying to do. If Johnny said no to Shelley, Brandon would win. If Johnny said yes, Brandon would still win; he'd have the knowledge that Johnny Nickol was going to a Backstreet Boys concert to boot.

They Backstreet Boys weren't even fucking boys anymore. They were grown men!

It was a sick, sick game. Brandon Miller always won; he always had to come out on top, Johnny thought bitterly to himself. Spoiled brat.

But it was too late for Brandon and Johnny. Something-or someone, for that matter, walking across the field had caught Shelley's eye.

"Zach?" she squinted in hopes of getting a better view.

The figure stopped and turned to look in her direction.

"Shelley Sinclair?" he called back.

They sprinted toward each other across the field like long lost lovers. Brandon could have sworn he heard some "Alleluia!" music coming from somewhere.

They met in the middle, where Zachary Fox swung Shelley into a hug.

"Hey gorgeous girl, what are you doing here?" he asked with an enormous smile on his face as he set her down.

"I could ask you the same thing!" she cried. "Why are you here?"

"What, Kyle didn't tell you? I'm gonna have to have a talk with that cousin of mine. I'm staying with his family for Thanksgiving," said Zachary, flashing a toothy grin.

"No way!" exclaimed Shelley. "I thought I'd never see you again!"

"What can I say; it must be the fates," he shrugged indifferently. Secretly, Zachary was delighted with the attention she was giving him. He could tell the two boys Shelley had been talking to were giving him the evil eye.

"So who are dumb and dumber?" asked Zachary, pointing to Brandon and Johnny. "They look as if they'd like nothing better than to pummel me. Are they jealous boyfriends? We could always go on Jerry Springer. I can see it now. It'll be called 'One devilishly handsome boy, an equally good looking girl, and two jealous ape-like boyfriends!'"

He said this with such ease that Shelley laughed.

"Oh Zacky, I've missed your humor. My life was so lonely without you," she said, still cracking up.

"Did you miss me that much?" he asked.

"Oh yes," she assured him. "Since you're only here until Thanksgiving, we should definitely do something."

"Like get married?" he asked hopefully.

Shelley swatted his shoulder playfully. "Let's not start that again. You're beginning to sound like Brandon."

"Who's Brandon? Luscious Lloyd Brandon?"

In horror, Zachary slapped a hand over his mouth. He looked so guilty it was cute.

"Don't worry about it," dismissed Shelley. "I already know about that."

"And you're um, okay with it?" he said carefully. "I mean, I heard from Kyle that you'd be pissed off if you found out."

An idea clicked in Shelley's head.

"Well, I mean, I'm still a little peeved, but you could totally make it up to me," she replied nonchalantly.

"And how would you propose I do that?"

"Go to a Backstreet Boys concert with me," she challenged.

Zachary's eyes widened for a moment, but they soon twinkled with amusement. "Done," he proclaimed.

"Really?"

"Really," he nodded.

"You're the best!" cried Shelley. She couldn't resist throwing her arms around him for another hug.

Across the field, the rest of the football team had come out of the locker room to survey Zachary and Shelley with Brandon and Johnny.

"Who the fuck does he think he is?" complained Johnny. "Why are they all over each other like that?"

Brandon suddenly regretted employing Kyle's cousin to do his dirty work. He'd known Zachary Fox was good looking, but he'd had no idea that Zach and Shelley would have this kind of chemistry. They actually looked pretty good together.

Oh,
hell
no. No fucking way was he losing Shelley to this pretty boy. Hell would freeze over before that ever happened.

With an air of confidence, Brandon strode his way to Shelley's side and wrapped an arm possessively around her waist. Shelley gave him an odd look as Zachary looked on in amusement.

"What do you think you're doing?" she hissed.

"What's wrong, babe? Not feeling me today?" Brandon drawled.

"If you don't let go of me,
you'll
lose any feeling you had in your arm," she retorted. "And I'd hate to see you not be able to play in the playoff game, much less throw a football."

Brandon scowled at her and released Shelley from his grip.

"Something, uh, going on between you two?" Zachary flashed his one hundred watt smile.

"She's off limits," Brandon said quickly.

"Oh my-" protested Shelley angrily. "What gives you the right to say I'm off limits? I'm single!"

Brandon looked at Zach and rolled his eyes. "She still can't believe she's dating someone as good looking as me," he explained. "Sometimes she forgets how lucky she is."

"Why you little-!"

Brandon held a finger up to Shelley's lips to silence her. "Tut, tut, my dear. Let's not start calling each other names."

Again, Shelley opened her mouth in protest, but nothing came out. Beside them, Zachary was doubled over with laughter.

"You two," he sputtered, "Are the-" snort, "Most amusing couple ever."

"We're not dating!" Shelley nearly shouted. "Brandon's just a fucking moron who clearly needs to check himself into a mental institution. Better yet,
I'll
check you in!"

"Ouch," winced Brandon, but he was grinning.

"Whoa, there," said Zachary, backing away from her. "I didn't mean anything by that. Please forgive my ignorance, my lady."

Shelley's features immediately softened. "Of course I forgive you, Zacky. I could never be mad at you; after all, you're one of my favorite people!"

"And what am I, the dashingly handsome boy who lives to provoke you?" asked Brandon.

"You forgot 'make my life a living hell'," Shelley added sourly.

His lips curled. "Oh yes, that too. How could I forget?"

"It would do you well to remember that."

Zachary put his hand on Shelley's arm lightly. It was an innocent gesture, but it had Brandon seething.

"Shelley, wanna take me home? It's getting dark and late," Zachary gave her a small smile, "I don't want to be stuck here. Who knows what could happen to me?"

Brandon snorted. "That's fucking bull, Fox. You're a grown man; you can take care of yourself."

Neither Zachary nor Shelley paid the slightest attention to Brandon. Apparently, they only had eyes for each other.

"Of course I'll take you!" exclaimed Shelley. "You know I would never say no to you."

Brandon rolled his eyes. "Fox has his cousin
Kyle
to take him home. It would be out of Shelley's way to take you home."

Brandon felt a tinge of triumph when Shelley seemed to consider this. Just when he thought she'd reconsider and say no, she said,

"Nah, we need to catch up anyways. Let's go out to dinner. My treat?"

"A true gentleman never lets his lady pay," said Zachary, sinking into a low bow.

"You're so cute," cooed Shelley.

She linked arms with Zachary and turned to leave with him. As an afterthought, Zachary turned around and flashed Brandon a snide smile,

"See you later,
Brandy-poo.
"

Behind Brandon, someone was clapping.

He turned around to face Johnny, who couldn't have looked happier.

"Finally, the great, almighty Brandon Miller has met his match. I'd imagine he was a pretty big threat to Brandon, don't you agree boys?" sniggered Johnny.

"What the fuck are you on? Zachary Fox is nothing but a pretty playboy. Shelley will see straight through him," Brandon said confidently, although he wasn't sure who he was trying to convince.

"Oh, I'm sure she will," said Johnny with a sneer. "I mean, the way she was mentally undressing him-completely unnoticeable."