Authors: Hazel Kelly
Chapter 14: Shane
"Disappoint
you," I corrected. "Not that I wouldn't find pleasure in taking some
of his dignity away."
Or watching the pledges use him for batting
practice.
"It's
okay," she said. "He doesn't deserve your attention."
"Your
call," I said. "But only cause I've never given him one more chance
before."
She
pursed her lips.
"If
he contacts you again, that's his luck run out," I said. "So I need
you to tell me if-"
"I
will, Shane. I promise."
I
exhaled.
"And
thanks again for… being so great about this."
"I
just wish you'd come to me the first time this happened."
She
rubbed the back of her neck.
"Cause
this wasn't it, was it?" I asked, cocking my head.
She
raised her face to mine and shook her head. "Not even close, I’m
afraid."
My
heart felt sore at the thought. "Oh, Andi," I whispered, lifting one
hand to her face so she couldn't look away. "Promise me you'll demand
better for yourself from now on."
Her
eyes started to water. "I promise."
I
let my hand fall to her shoulder. "If only to keep me out of prison."
She
laughed and stepped back. "Deal."
"Good.
Cause I have so much going for me and-"
She
rolled her eyes. "Speaking of all the things you have going for you, how
about another beer?"
"It
seems only right considering how much that little incident seems to have
sobered us up."
"I
couldn't agree more," she said.
My
eyes fell to her ass as she disappeared into the kitchen, and I shook my head
like a wet dog. Now was not the time to let my mind go there.
"Now,"
she said, setting a bottle of Bud down on the coffee table in front of me
before taking a seat. "I think it's time we discuss the elephant in the
room."
"Go
on," I said, assuming she wasn't talking about the hard on I'd been trying
to fight off since I arrived.
"Why
don't you tell me about the secret passion you've been harboring for me that's
just been brought to my attention?"
My
whole chest felt like it was going to take flight. "Well, Mike and I had a
long heart to heart at his place yesterday, and he just had this way about him
that made me want to spill his guts- sorry, my guts."
She
smiled.
"And
he finally got me to admit the overwhelming desire I’ve been hiding all these
years."
She
laughed. "So how long have you been madly in love with me?"
"Easy.
Remember when everyone got really into collecting stickers in second
grade?"
Little
creases sprang up around her eyes. "Of course."
"Well,
I knew I was in deep the first time you showed me your sticker collection."
"Go
on."
"Everyone
else had their stickers all mixed up," I said. "But you had your
foamies
and your
fuzzies
and your
oilies
separated not only by sticker type, but by
theme."
"And
that's when you knew?"
"Pretty
much," I said. "But for a long time I was confused about whether it
was you I loved or if it was just your possum family
fuzzies
."
"And
when did you make the distinction?"
"Remember
the day Izzy was pulling you on my skateboard behind her bike?"
"Oh
god."
"And
you tipped forward and scraped half your face on the driveway?"
"And
then I had to cover my face with Neosporin before school every day like a slimy
sea monster."
"Yep."
"I
wish you'd forget that ever happened."
"Are
you kidding? When you said you were going as Zombie Miss America for Halloween,
I knew it was more than puppy love."
"Shut
up." She shook her head and took a swig of champagne. "I was so gross
no one could even look at me. And for real, gross. No special effects."
"I
could look at you."
She
narrowed her eyes at me. "Yeah. I guess you could."
"You'll
always be Miss America to me."
"Seriously,
stop. I'm not that depressed. And I'm no Miss America."
"Only
because you're too smart," I said. "But I'll always see you that way."
She
cocked her head. "What way? As a zombie head attached to a fourteen year
old's body?"
I
smiled. "Something like that."
"Wonderful."
"Now
it's your turn to tell me you find me similarly irresistible."
"In
your dreams, Shane."
She
didn't know the half of it.
I
watched a half dry wisp of hair fall in her face, and as she pushed it back
behind her ear, the thin strap of her dress fell down over her smooth shoulder.
There
was no bra strap beneath it, and I felt knots in all the most dangerous places.
She
caught me staring as she pulled the strap back on her shoulder. "Don't be
gross."
"You
don't think I'm gross."
She
blushed.
I
felt a surge below the belt that made me forget all about our history for a
moment.
"Maybe
not," she said. "But I'm sure that's only because we've been friends
for so long."
Friends.
At one point, the label might've been a source of pride, but now it just felt
like a curse.
"And
if you met me now?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She
dropped her chin. "Are you fishing for compliments? Is your ego really
that delicate?"
"No.
I’m just genuinely curious."
"You're
not my type."
"It's
cause
I'm too handsome and clever, isn't it?"
She
drained her drink but kept an eye on me.
"Or
is it my muscles?" I asked. "Do you think there are too many of
them?"
She
leaned away to top up her mug of champagne. "All that and more."
"
Mmm
."
"Why
do you ask?"
I
shrugged. "I'm trying to figure out if you'll be able to keep your hands
off me if I ask you to my barn dance."
"Excuse
me?"
"Sorry.
What I meant to say was, will you accompany me to my barn dance next
weekend?"
She
furrowed her brow. "As your date?"
"Only
because you can't come as my hat."
"Smart
ass."
"What
do you say?" I asked, draining my beer and trying to act calmer than I
felt.
"I
say thanks but no thanks."
My
chest tightened.
"I
know I've had a trying weekend, but I don't need a pity date. I can pick myself
up just fine.
"It's
not a pity date."
"What
is it then?" She raised her drink to her lips.
"It's
a barn dance."
"I
get that, but why are you asking me? What about all the girls you usually ask
to this stuff?"
"All
what girls?"
"I
don’t know. The Theta with the legs?"
"We're
just friends.
"Or
that pretty Indian girl? Or the gymnast you used to-"
"For
someone that's not your type you certainly know a lot about-"
"What?
Things you've told me?"
"Obviously
I've said too much, and I apologize for that."
She
waved the comment away with her hand. "It's fine.”
“No
really. Let me make it up to you by taking you to my barn dance."
Chapter 15: Andi
I
could tell by the steely look in his eyes that he was serious, but I was afraid
to get swept up in the invitation, afraid the night would be all kinds of
torturous if I said yes.
I
knew he'd be in jeans and a plaid shirt and that was my kryptonite. I could
resist a pop star or a pro athlete no problem, but give me a cowboy or a
lumberjack any day and-
"I
don't know," I said. "Won't it be crawling with sorority girls who'll
just give me dirty looks because I'm
sisterless
and
letterless
and spent less than a week picking out my
outfit?"
"No."
“Yeah,
right.” Men were so oblivious.
"If
anyone's going to be giving you dirty looks, it's me."
My
eyes grew wide.
"Isn’t
that what a good date does?”
God
what I wouldn't give to be the girl Shane shot dirty looks at. Even if it was
just for one night. "You wouldn't dare."
"I
would," he said. "Especially if you wear pigtails for me."
I
laughed. "First of all, if I wear pigtails, it will be for myself."
"The
motivation isn't what concerns me."
"Second
of all, I know you're just trying to cheer me up, but you've already done that
brilliantly so you're off the hook. I appreciate the gesture and grant you the
freedom to go forth and ask whoever you want."
"I'm
flattered that you think I'm being chivalrous, but I'm actually not." His
eyes dropped to my lips.
My
heart stopped beating.
"But
since you're hell bent on backing me into a corner, I guess I'll tell you the
truth."
"Which
is?"
"That
I'm asking you for purely selfish reasons."
I
raised my eyebrows. "Oh?"
"Because
ever since I picked up that stuff for you yesterday, all I can think about is
getting you in some high boots."
I
pulled my knees up on the couch and faced him. "You're ridiculous."
"And
you're my first choice."
I
pursed my lips. Any other girl would say yes in an instant. He wasn't the kind of
guy women said no to.
"And
it has nothing to do with pity. It's because last night was the most fun I've
had in a long time, and I want to spend some time with you before some other
asshole sweeps you off your feet and you stop hanging out with me again."
"It
didn't happen like that."
"Yeah,
it did," he said. "But I was partly responsible because I couldn’t
bear to-"
I
tilted an ear towards him.
"Just
let me take you out and remind you how you deserve to be treated before you put
yourself back on the market."
I
took a deep breath.
"It's
been too long since you went out with a gentleman."
I
smiled. "And that's you, is it?"
He
nodded. "Pigtails are optional."
I
rolled my eyes. "And if I say no?"
"You
won't."
"How
can you be so sure?"
"Cause
you love a theme party."
"True."
"And
cause
you owe me one."
I
took a sip of champagne and felt the bubbles tickle my brain. "I thought
you helped me out with Mike out of the goodness of your heart."
"Nope."
"So
he was right about your ulterior motives?"
"Completely."
I
couldn't tell if he was joking. "And you thought he was a useless
meathead."
"I
did."
"Fine."
He
smiled. "You could at least pretend to be excited."
"I
am. I'm sure it'll be fun."
He
nodded. "It always is."
"Plus,
we're seniors. It's kind of my last chance to go to one, isn't it?"
"I’d
rather think of it more like there's a first time for everything."
The
look in his eye made my heart rattle in my chest.
I desperately
wanted to ask if it was a date. Like a walk you home and kiss you at the end of
the night kind of date.
But
I didn't think I could ask that without sounding hopeful.
I
brought my fingers to the cut on my lip. "I hope this heals by then."
"I'm
sure it will," he said. "And even if it doesn't, half your face could
be scabby and covered in Neosporin and I'd still be honored to have you as my
date."
I
swallowed. Was there a word for this feeling? When someone else had the power
to make you feel pretty even when you felt like you were dragging your feet
along rock bottom?
Maybe
I wouldn't regret saying yes.
Maybe
he would even stay the night if I asked. I mean, I wasn't that worried about
Mike coming back. I'd never seen him look so defeated.
But
Shane didn't know that. And whether it was an accident or not, he'd hardly left
me alone since I asked him for his help, his company.
I
should've gone to him a long time ago. The first time this happened. He
would've knocked some sense into me the right way, the way Mike never did.
My
lips fell apart.
He
raised his eyebrows.
"Do
you want to-" My tongue swelled in my mouth. Asking him to stay would
completely cancel out my nonchalance at his barn dance invitation.
"What?"
The
clock on the wall started ticking over everything.
"You
probably can't, but-"
"Can't
what?"
He
was too beautiful, too perfect. Having his attention was too much. It made me
feel like Cinderella when the prince can't see anyone but her.
"What
are you trying to ask me, Andi?"
The
sound of the key in the lock shook me from my trance.
"Andi?"
Steph called, opening the door as far as the short chain would allow. "Can
you
unbarricade
the door please?"
I
looked at Shane. "Never mind," I said, prying myself off the couch
and swerving towards the door. "Hey Steph. One second." I undid the
locks and pulled the door open.
Steph
had that healthy glow she always had when she came back from one of her Jesus
love fests.
"How
was it?"
"Great,"
she said. "Tiring, but well worth it for the- Shane." Her eyes found
him across the room. "What a nice surprise."
"Hey
Steph," he said.
She
looked back and forth between us, doubtlessly noticing the booze on the table.
"Am I interrupting something?"
"Nope,"
Shane said, standing. "I was just leaving, actually." He drained his
beer and bent over to grab his empties off the table.
"Don't
worry about those," I said. "I'll take care of it."
"You
sure?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"Well
it was nice to see you, Shane. Sorry if I cut the party short," Steph
said, sliding her duffel bag down the hall with her foot.
"Not
at all," he said.
Steph
picked up her bag, looked at me, and pointed down the hall. "I'll just go
drop my stuff and let you guys… yeah."
Shane
walked up to the door with his hands in his pockets. "Thanks for the fine
drinks and company."
I
smiled. "You’re very welcome."
"If
I fail my econ test tomorrow, I'm going to hold you personally responsible- but
otherwise no regrets."
"If
it were anyone else, I'd say you were a fool to spend the day drinking instead
of studying, but you've never flunked a test in your life."
"True,
but like I said-" He stepped into my space in a way I wasn't used to.
"There's a first time for everything."
"Don't
be a stranger," I said, opening the door.
He
gave me one last smile before stepping out. It was full of something
mischievous and knowing.
I
closed the door and felt my chest loosen like it hadn't since he arrived, and I
was about to slide the chain in the first lock when I heard a tap on the door.
I
opened it again and let my eyes travel from the wildflowers under his feet up
to his face.
"I
forgot something," Shane said.
"Oh."
I took a step back and opened the door wider so he could walk back in.
But
he only took one step. Right up to me. And in the same swift motion, he slid
one hand around my lower back and pulled my hair back with the other.
Then
he kissed me before I even registered what was happening.
His
lips were soft and warm and his tongue pushed slowly in my mouth, surprisingly
gently considering the way he'd grabbed me and pulled me to him.
I
felt limp in his arms as I bowed against him, my chest crushed against his and
the bulge in his pants hardening against my stomach.
After
a few swirls of his tongue, I found the strength to raise my hands and grip the
sides of his shoulders.
When
he set me back down, I felt as incapable of standing as a Barbie doll and fell
against the doorframe.
"Okay,"
he said. "I think that's everything."
I
sighed and watched him walk down the hallway.
Maybe
there was a first time for everything.