by Amy Brown
I return to my friends, and I hand out the sodas and chips to my pals. We spend the next two hours playing games on the Xbox. Eventually, I have to leave to go meet Charity. Travis and Jeremy take off to go to Travis’s house, and I drive into town for my study session.
Smarties Coffee is busy as usual. Charity is already at the same table we used last time. As I approach, I notice there are two drinks on the table. I frown as I set my backpack down on the ground next to my chair. “What’s this?”
Charity looks up, a shy smile hovering on her lips. “You said I could buy the drinks the next time around.”
“I did say that, didn’t I?” I sit, and she pushes one of the drinks toward me.
“It’s a caramel latte. The girl said you don’t like whipped cream.” She studies me, a little line between her brows. “How can you not like whipped cream?”
I laugh. “I’ve never liked it. Even as a kid.”
“That’s mystifying to me.”
“I’m a mysterious guy.”
She chuffs. “You just seem like a typical guy to me.”
“Ouch.” What does that mean? I do my best not to overreact, and pull the book we need to study with out of my backpack. I observe her under my brows as I get things set up. She looks good, her hair is pulled back in a ponytail. Silky curls hang on the sides of her face. She changed from what she was wearing at school. Not sure why I notice that. I don’t tend to notice what girls are wearing unless it’s something super sexy.
“I started on the questions Mrs. Dunbar wanted us to work on.” Her voice is soft, tentative. Almost as if she’s afraid I’ll be annoyed that she has already started without me.
“Awesome. That works for me.” I grin. Why would I mind not having to do more work? I’m not a guy who’s intimidated by smart girls.
She laughs, looking relieved. “There’s still plenty to do.” She sips her drink, and keeps her eyes down on the book.
I open the book to where we left off in class. She leans forward, and that makes her cleavage more pronounced. I hate that I find her so physically distracting. Even now, her perfume teases my senses. I focus on the pages, and she points to a certain paragraph. Her hands are delicate and white, her fingers long and slender. I have the sudden urge to feel them on my body.
Stop thinking about sex. Stop thinking about sex.
I swallow, and grab my coffee, hoping to distract myself from lusty thoughts that have no place during a study session. I don’t remember ever being this obsessed with a girl before. I think I find her arm’s length attitude a bit of a turn on. I haven’t had a girl turn me down since the first grade. If I want a girl, I can have that girl. Usually. But it’s obvious Charity isn’t smitten with me. I’m lucky if she’s even polite to me most of the time. Mom won’t be finding her underwear on my bedroom floor any time soon.
Thinking about my conversation earlier with Jeremy, I’m grateful Travis took my side. I have a few weeks to worm my way into Charity’s emotions. I’m hoping with Jeremy backing off, Charity will have little choice other than to bond to me. Although, I did see her hanging out with the EPG nerds today. If she gets a group of friends, she won’t be as easy to manipulate.
She glances up, and I follow her gaze. Jeremy just walked in. Her cheeks definitely are quite pink. He wasn’t wrong about that. She does indeed seem taken with him. Why does that make my stomach hurt?
“We’re supposed to be studying,” I say softly. I figure it can’t hurt to address her behavior. Ignoring it isn’t going to make it go away.
She grimaces. “I am studying.” Her gaze returns to the book in front of us.
“Uh, huh.”
She meets my gaze. “Why did you tell me to be careful of Jeremy?”
I freeze. Shit. I’d hoped she’d have forgotten that little slip. “Did I say that?” I stall.
“Yes.” She narrows her gaze. “Is he a player or something?”
You could say that.
This is a good opportunity to drive a wedge between her and Jeremy, but I can’t say anything too overt, or she may not believe me. I shrug. Subtle innuendo will work best in this situation. “He’s my friend. I don’t want to say anything bad about him.”
She frowns. “So then, there is something bad to say?”
I pause, and then say, “Jeremy likes girls, and girls like Jeremy.”
I can see the wheels turning in her pretty head. She looks disappointed. Did she seriously think Jeremy was into her, simply because he said a few words to her? Why is she so willing to like him, but treats me like I have leprosy? I’ve been ten times nicer to her than he has ever been.
“High school boys are obsessed with sex,” she mutters, looking annoyed.
I laugh because her response was way more candid than I expected. “We can’t help it. Our hormones are like food in a pressure cooker at this age.”
She shakes her head, but a tiny smile sits on her lips. “I pray you guys grow out of that in college.”
“I highly doubt it.” I smirk.
“Yeah, I’m probably asking for too much.”
Her gaze returns to Jeremy, and irritation spikes through me. Is she really that attracted to him?
I decide I need to distract her from him. “It doesn’t help that high school girls do their best to get our attention.” I glance pointedly at her low cut blouse.
Her cheeks tint pink, and she puts her hand up to her collar. “You think this blouse is too sexy?”
I think it’s amazing.
“I think girls complain a lot about guys staring at their boobs, but what do they expect? If you put them on display, we can’t help but look.”
“We want to be attractive, but we don’t just want to only be liked for our bodies.”
I’m surprised by her bluntness. If I had this conversation with Sophia, she’d probably just take off her shirt and invite me to suck her tits. Charity is actually trying to explain herself. It’s refreshing. So many of the girls at Longhorn Academy are slutty. They use their bodies to get attention. Sophia definitely uses her looks to control guys.
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be attractive,” I say. “But don’t be mad if you put it out there, and we notice. We can’t help looking.”
She surprises me when she says softly, “I don’t mind that much when you look.”
I don’t respond because my mouth is suddenly very dry.
She laughs. “You look shocked right now.”
“I’m trying to figure out if you mean you don’t mind me looking, as in all boys, or if you mean you don’t mind me looking.”
Her cheeks are definitely very pink now. “I’m not even sure what I mean.”
“Intriguing.” I smile.
For a split second, she seems to melt when I smile, but then she abruptly sits up, and tugs at the collar of her blouse, attempting to tug it closed. “Why are we talking about this stuff? We’re supposed to be studying.”
Damn. So close. For a minute there, I’d actually hoped maybe I could get her in my bed sooner than anticipated. But nope. Frigid Charity is back. Judging from how uptight she now looks, I’m positive she’s a virgin. “You started this conversation when you said high school boys are obsessed with sex.”
“But you are,” she says. “Jeremy is the only guy I’ve met who didn’t immediately stare down my blouse.”
I scowl. “Hey, that’s not true. The first time I met you, I was delivering a pizza to you. No way did I look down your blouse.” Is she for real? I’ve been very careful not to let her catch me ogling her amazing boobs.
She winces. “That’s true.”
“Well, okay then,” I grumble.
“You… you’ve been a perfect gentleman.”
“Thank you.” I’m glad she’s backing down. I’m never going to get anywhere with her if she knows I’m trying to get somewhere with her.
She sighs. “I’m… I’m sorry. For some reason I always act like a bitch around you. I’m sure it’s because you’re obvio
usly one of the cool kids, and that intimidates me. When that happens my worst side takes over.” Her blue eyes are warmer than I’ve ever seen. “I’m really sorry. I don’t want to be mean to you. I… I want you to like me, but I keep pushing you away.”
Flabbergasted at her candor, it takes me a second to respond. My pulse spikes wildly and a warm flush goes through me as I hold her gaze. I feel breathless as I stare into her sky blue eyes. She has the strangest effect on me. I’m not sure I like how she makes me feel. There’s a raw vulnerability about her that makes me want to protect her. Protect her from guys like Travis. And Jeremy.
And me.
I clear my throat, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. She is not my friend. She isn’t someone to protect or worry about. She’s a dirt poor transfer student who has no business at my school. I’m not going to let misplaced sexual attraction get me in trouble. The sooner I can get her in my bed, the better. Number one, I need the sexual release, and two, she’s messing with my head.
I reach over and cover her hand with mine. I’m surprised and pleased when she doesn’t pull away. Her skin is so fucking soft, I just want to touch her whole body. Instead, I grit my teeth and shove down my desire. “It’s okay,” I say. “I want you to like me too.”
Her gaze flickers. “Really?”
I nod. “Of course. Why else do you think I’m studying with you every night?”
“Because Mrs. Dunbar made you?”
Oh, yeah.
“Come on, Charity. You know I could get out of that if I really wanted to.” I could too. But this opportunity was too perfect to pass up. Mrs. Dunbar did me a great favor by pushing Charity into my clutches.
“I guess that’s true.” She pulls her hand away slowly.
I frown because her expression is odd. “Is there something you want to say to me?”
“I don’t want to insult you.”
That’s not good.
“You can speak frankly,” I say, keeping my expression pleasant. Something is obviously eating at her, and I might as well know what it is. “Come on, I want to know what’s bothering you.”
She grimaces. “Well, I’ve been warned that… maybe… maybe you’re not as nice as you seem.”
Frustration nibbles at me. Who could have whispered in her ear? Most kids at school know better than to get involved in matters that don’t concern them. “Who’s talking me down?”
Her new little nerd friends, no doubt.
She drops her gaze. “I’d rather not say.”
“Do you believe this person?”
“I’m not sure.”
I sigh. “I’ll bet I can guess who’s warning you about me. I’ve seen you talking to Paula Prevus lately, and she doesn’t like me. It’s her, right?”
When she won’t look at me, I know I’m correct.
“I try to treat everyone nicely.” I lift one shoulder, allowing my mouth to droop. “I guess some people will dislike you, no matter what you do. They just have a preconceived idea, and there’s no changing their minds.”
She nods, and her gaze slides across the room to where Sophia and Jules are laughing loudly. “People do sometimes make snap decisions.”
“Doesn’t seem very fair.” I’m fully aware I’m guilty of judging Charity superficially myself. But, I didn’t make the rules. People are shallow, and there isn’t much you can do about it. It’s the luck of the draw which family you’re born into. I could just as easily have been in Charity’s situation; born with no money. But I was lucky. My family is filthy rich and, so I’m accepted at school and in life. Charity was born into poverty, and nothing can change that.
“No. It seems wrong,” she says quietly.
I decide to use her empathy to my advantage. “Is that why you won’t study at my house?”
She frowns. “What?”
“Are you hesitant to be alone with me because of the things Paula has said about me?”
Instead of denying it, she nods slowly. “She knows you better.”
“Paula and her friends don’t know me.” I frown. “They stay to themselves, and make no attempt to be friendly.”
“Are you saying you and your friends would welcome their friendship?” She lifts one brow, looking skeptical.
She kind of has me there. The rich kids aren’t lamenting not being pals with the poor kids at school. If I try to tell her that, I’ll probably start laughing because it’s so ludicrous. Jeremy would shit a brick if all the scholarship kids started trying to be our friends. Naturally, I can’t say any of that to her, so I try to tweak my answer. “I can’t speak for everyone else, but I try to be nice to everyone.” I hold her gaze, hoping I look and sound earnest.
She narrows her eyes. “You are friendlier than some of the others.”
“I try. But it’s a two-way street.” It’s hard not to laugh at myself. I’m playing the martyr, but it’s all bullshit. I have no interest in befriending Paula and her poverty stricken pals.
Charity grimaces. “I haven’t been at Longhorn Academy very long, but even I can see there is a definite class division in the school. The rich kids definitely seem to look down on the scholarship kids.”
I frown. “Seems to me that a lot of the scholarship kids have a chip on their shoulders.”
“Perhaps that’s because they didn’t receive a very warm welcome.”
Should we have thrown a parade?
“I think some of the richer students here don’t understand why the poor kids want to come here. Especially since they think we don’t want them here. There are plenty of other schools in the area.”
“So then, you don’t think less fortunate kids should come here?”
“I didn’t say that.” I might think that, but I didn’t say that.
She scowls. “I guess what I don’t get is why it matters to you guys where we go to school?”
I don’t have a good answer. Unlike a lot of the kids here, I’ve never really cared that much who went to this school. I only got dragged into this because Travis and Jeremy care. I go along with a lot of things just so I don’t become the target. It wasn’t even my idea to trick Charity. I got roped in because Jeremy wanted me to prove I’m loyal to him and Travis.
I decide the best defense is offense. “To be honest, you were unfriendly to me before I was ever unfriendly to you. You want this to be about snobbery, but when I delivered those pizzas to you, you were rude. That had nothing to do with this school.”
She blinks at me, looking uncertain. “I apologized for that.”
“I know, but you keep saying we’re not nice to you guys, and you were rude to me first.”
“I’ve explained that I was embarrassed because I didn’t have any cash on me.”
“I just find it interesting that you can be rude, but everyone else has to be perfect, or they’re snobs.”
She raises her brows. “You must know this school is full of snobs?”
Yeah. I do know that, but I don’t care. Bickering with her isn’t going to solve the class issues ravaging Longhorn Academy. I simply want to seduce this girl, and move on with my life. Charity is consuming far too much of my time. I need to maneuver her into spending some alone time with me. My seduction can’t take place at school, so I must figure out a way to get her alone.
I lean toward her. “Listen, Charity, all I really care about is that you give me a chance.”
Her lips part in surprise. “What?”
“Don’t judge me based on what other people say. I don’t deserve that.”
Pink creeps into her cheeks. “I’m trying hard to keep an open mind where you’re concerned.”
“Are you?”
“Yes.”
I allow a long suffering sigh. “I’m so worried you’ll let your friends poison you against me.” I lower my head, hoping I look demoralized. “I really like you. I… I don’t want to be rejected, just because other people lie about me.”
Her breathing speeds up. “I’m not going to let that happen.”
I glance up. “You sure about that?”
She nods. “Yes. I like to make up my own mind about people.”
I frown. “Even though it’s obvious Paula hates me?”
“She doesn’t hate you.” She winces.
I give a gruff laugh. “She definitely doesn’t approve of me.”
She studies me in silence for a moment, and then she says softly, “Look, I like you, and that’s good enough.”
“Yeah?” I give a hopeful smile.
“Yes.”
“Prove it.”
She laughs. “How?”
“Do something with me, other than study.”
“Like… like what?”
“Well, I’m not sure.” I frown, as if wracking my brain. I know perfectly well where I want to get her alone. “How about coming to the lake with me on Friday?”
She pulls her brows together. “The lake?”
“Every Friday a group of us get together at Outlaw Cove, near the lake. We have a big bonfire and some drinks. It’s just a casual get-together.” I watch her carefully, noticing her frown deepens. Am I pushing too quickly? Maybe I am. “You could bring a friend if you want. Would that make you more comfortable?”
I don’t really want her to bring a friend, obviously. That will cramp my style. However, if she won’t even come because she’s too afraid to be alone with me, that won’t do me any good either. I can get Travis to distract whoever she brings. The main thing is, I need to get her alone in a more personal setting. Otherwise, I may never get in her pants.
“I’m not sure,” she says softly.
Is she for real? Most girls at school would kill to be invited to Outlaw Cove with me. But something tells me pushing her will have the opposite result of what I want. So instead, I shrug. “Never mind. It’s obvious you’re not interested in me, the way I’m interested in you.”
Her eyes glitter as she watches me. “You’re interested in me?”
I sigh dramatically. “I feel like I’ve made that very obvious.”
She bites her lower lip, studying me as if I’m a rubrics cube.