by Amanda Ashby
“Do what?” Zac blinked.
Gareth’s shoulders sagged. “Get the girl. I mean you rocked up to Norah and asked her to be your girlfriend, like it was no big deal.”
“Fake girlfriend,” he corrected. “And I totally screwed it up. Can I have the coin now?”
“But you did it. I need details.” Gareth pressed the coin to his chin.
Zac’s inner calm was gone now and he took a deep breath. “Gareth. You seem like a decent guy, but if you think I’m going to give you tips on how to date Norah then you are out of your freaking mind.” The words came out as a growl, and he folded his arms.
“No, idiot. Not Norah. Piper. I’ve tried everything, but she doesn’t even know I exist.” He ran a hand through his thick curls and frowned.
Zac opened his mouth and then shut it again. He’d played in games when things had gone badly, but he’d always been able to adapt. But this? He didn’t know what the hell was going on.
“You like Piper? But she likes—”
“SageKnight194,” Gareth said and leaned forward in a deep bow, as if to introduce himself.
“You?” Zac let out a whistle.
“Yup. I thought it would make things better but it’s been worse. And now I’m stuck between the friend zone and a stupid online persona. So, can you help me?”
All he wanted to do was get to Norah. To see if Via was right. To see if there was something that could be saved. Correction, he would save it. And all he needed was the gold coin in Gareth’s hand.
“If I do, can you tell Norah to meet you at the candy store on Willis Street in an hour? And don’t tell her I’ll be there.”
Light gleamed in Gareth’s eyes. “Y-you really think you can help me?”
“Yup.”
“Fine. Willis Street candy store. In an hour,” Gareth said as he gave Zac the coin and pulled out his phone to text Norah. Then he nodded. “It’s done.”
Step one, complete. Zac let out a shuddering breath. Then he took out his own phone and found Piper’s number. She answered on the first ring.
“What the hell do you—”
“Morning, Piper.” He cut her off, ignoring her rampage. “I’m next door at Gareth’s house. You want to abuse me? Here’s your chance.”
A minute later she appeared, marching toward them, silver eyes narrowed. She rounded on him. “You are unbelievable. How dare you turn up and—”
“Piper. You look great. I’d like you to meet my good friend SageKnight194. He’s got some things he’d like to say.”
“What?” Piper and Gareth yelled at the same time.
“Welcome to the real world. It sucks. You’re both going to love it.” Zac tightened his grip around the coin and ran to the car.
18
Norah was going to kill Gareth. He’d sent her a text to meet him at The Sweetest Thing, but he was late. Like she didn’t have better things to do. She touched her messenger bag.
After she’d called Carol last night and told her exactly why the auction had been so successful, the organizer had emailed Norah a new certificate. It had Zac’s name on it, thanking him for all the money he’d raised.
She’d taken it to the framers this morning and now all she had to do was deliver it.
All last night it had seemed like such a great idea. But now in the cold light of day she wasn’t sure. He hated her. And she couldn’t blame him. She’d dumped him. And called him stupid.
Shameful heat crept along her skin. As soon as Gareth arrived she’d discuss it with him. Whether she should be brave and give it to Zac in person, or chicken out and drop it at his house while he was at today’s match.
Her brow pounded, and she fumbled in her bag for her sour gummy bears. But it was empty. Great. She sighed and walked into the store, unenthusiastically heading to the gummy bear dispenser hanging on the wall.
No. She couldn’t do it anymore. She spun on her heel over to the jellybeans. No way could she face her decision without their sugary goodness. She held the bag up and lifted the lever to release them.
They fell in one by one. Yellow. Orange. Pink. Blue. Red. Yellow. Yellow. Orange—
No green. Where was green? She stopped the lever and studied the clear Perspex case. Not a single one.
Her throat tightened as she turned to the counter where the owner was standing. “I told you this would happen. If people didn’t eat the green ones, they’d stop making them. I can’t believe this. We should have done more. I need to write to them. Set up a campaign.”
The woman glared at her. “Do not get me started on green jellybeans. I’ve had that annoying guy in here all morning. I swear—”
Annoying guy?
Norah’s heart pounded as she slowly turned around. Zac was standing there leaning against a display of Reece’s chocolate with a white paper bag in his hand. He grinned at her. Her skin prickled and her mouth went dry.
“Here you go, weirdo. All the green ones.”
“Weirdo? You said it was cute.”
“I did, but come on, Norah. It’s a little weird. Green jellybeans are the worst. They taste like feet,” he said in a solemn voice that crept along her skin like a warm bath. She so wasn’t ready for this.
“What are you doing here, Zac?”
“I want to ask you on a date.” He was holding a familiar gold coin, and her heart lurched.
“How did you get that? There’s no way Gareth would have—” She stiffened. Was that why G had sent the message? But he hated Zac. “If you hurt him or—”
The smile slid from his face. “You really think I’d do that?”
She swallowed. “No. I’m…I don’t understand. Why are you here?”
“I could ask the pair of you the same thing,” the grumpy woman retorted with a glare. Zac studied her from behind his lashes as he held the coin. Then his mask fell and he pressed his lips together.
“I really need to talk to you, but truth is I didn’t get past the green jellybeans stage. Please, Norah. Five minutes.”
She swallowed. “Okay.”
“Thank you.” He walked over to the counter and put some bills down before nodding to the forgotten bag of candy in her hand. Then he waited for her to walk past him. Soap and shampoo caught in her nose, and familiar heat danced around her skin as she reached the door.
The town square was across the road, and despite the cool breeze, there were people milling about. Zac ignored them and led her to a bench overlooking the fountain. Droplets of water splashed onto the surrounding concrete, and leaves the color of molten gold skittered along the ground.
She put her messenger bag on her lap, clutching it like a life preserver. He sat next to her, legs spread, leaning forward so his elbows were resting on his thighs. He cocked his head, studying her through hooded eyes.
“I don’t know what to say. Just that I miss you, and I’m sorry.”
“Now who’s the weirdo? Since when have you been lost for words?” she said, forcing her voice to stay light despite her pounding heart. Then she frowned. It was Saturday morning. “Shouldn’t you be at the match?”
He ran a hand through his thick blond hair. “Coach told me I had to give him one hundred percent. I called him last night and said my head was messed up.”
She let out a sharp breath. “Wait. You benched yourself?”
He tapped his foot against the ground. “Till I figure things out. He was surprisingly cool about it.”
Her heart lurched. Had she done this? Messed up his head?
Guilt slammed into her chest. “I didn’t mean for you to miss your game.”
“Not your fault.” He sat back up. There were faint black smudges under his eyes, and his cheeks were hollow. Like he hadn’t been sleeping. “Remember I showed you how the offside trap worked? Well, when you’re going forward on the field and you manage to get through their defense and spring their trap to score a goal? It’s the greatest feeling in the world. And it doesn’t matter who scores it, the whole team celebrates. The adrenaline rush
that comes when the ball goes into the back of a net is unbelievable.”
“I know how much soccer means to you,” she said, hating the way his mouth was downturned. He was meant to be joking and smiling and teasing. “I understand.”
He gave a jerking shake of his head. “No. You don’t. That feeling on the field. That’s how I feel when I’m with you. I figured you knew. When you didn’t believe me—” He swallowed but held her gaze. “It really sucked. I’m sorry you didn’t know how I felt.”
Tears prickled in her eyes. “That night was so horrible. All my words came out wrong. I don’t think you’re stupid, Zac.”
“My younger, and much smarter, sister pointed out it wasn’t you who thought I was, it was me. I like to think I’m a work in progress. I was pretty smart at getting those jellybeans out, right?”
Some of the tension building in her chest faded, and she laughed. “Complete genius. It takes a master,” she said, and he smiled.
A full Zac Mackenzie smile. The dimple hovered under his cheek, and his eyes crinkled.
“Norah. I know it sucks what happened with your dad, but you have to know it’s not true, right? You do all this amazing stuff for people. Things I didn’t even know existed. You’re completely gorgeous and funny, and hanging out with you is about the only time I don’t feel like I need to be doing something else,” he said. “I really miss my girlfriend.”
His eyes were wide but serious. All the things she’d said to him, and he was still here.
He liked her?
Still wanted to date her?
Wanted her to be his girlfriend?
There was only one way this was going to work. For her not to be scared of what might happen. For her not to be on the sidelines anymore.
“So, there’s this guy I have a crush on,” she said in a faltering voice. “He’s gorgeous, but so much more. Sensitive, funny, super smart. But here’s the thing. Before I tell him how I feel, I need to show him something.” She tugged at her shirt. He sucked in a sharp breath.
“Norah, you don’t have to—”
“I know,” she agreed, hands shaking.
She lifted up the fabric. Bright pink skin was twisted and marred as it ran down her stomach, stark against the rest of her abdomen. The second scar cut across her abdomen like an arrow. He leaned forward and cautiously lifted a hand, as if unsure. She nodded, and he trailed a finger over the bumpy, uneven skin.
She’d done it herself a million times, but there’d never been much sensation. The nerve ends were damaged. But his feather-light touch sent tiny tendrils of warmth spreading through her.
“You’re right. You win. Your scars are so much cooler than mine. I can’t imagine what it must have been like.” His gaze trapped hers.
“Zac,” she said as her phone rang. Piper. She tapped the screen and declined the call. It rang a second time, and she reluctantly looked at him. “I…it’s our code. It means it’s important.”
He pressed his lips together like he wanted to protest but just nodded.
“H-hey,” she managed to answer. “Piper, this isn’t a great time.”
“You’re not going to believe this. I’m at Gareth’s house.” Her friend sounded breathy. “He’s SageKnight194. He…he’s had a crush on me forever. He secretly became a Voyager pro gamer just to impress me. Oh, crap. He’s back. Gotta go.”
The line went dead and Norah blinked. “Gareth is SageKnight194?” she said as her phone rang. It was Piper again. She swallowed, but before she could answer, Zac made a growling noise and took it from her.
“Hey, Piper,” he said in a firm voice, his eyes not leaving Norah’s face. “Yes. Very happy for you both. Can you put Gareth on the line?” Norah blinked as he continued to stare at her. “Gareth, there was one thing I forgot to tell you. After the talking, you need to kiss her….Yes, right now. No…don’t wait. Why? Honestly, you’re ruining my game. The sky’s perfect. Kind of light blue. Girls love that stuff. Norah hasn’t thrown anything at my head yet, which means my groveling might be working. But if her phone rings one more time, I might do something dumb like break it. Are we clear?”
He tapped the screen and handed it back to her. Norah’s jaw dropped.
“Wait. You knew about Gareth? This is unbelievable. Tell me what happened.”
“No.” He shook his head, his unwavering gaze still fixed on her. “That can wait.”
“Wait for what?” Norah said as his fingers reached for her hand. A charge went through her whole body.
For two weeks, her life had gone back to what it had once been like.
Safe on the sidelines.
With no Zac holding her hand, picking her up and swinging her around, dragging her into his magnetic bubble where everything made sense. Her heart pounded as his mouth crashed onto hers, capturing her upper lip.
He tasted of jellybeans and toothpaste, and her whole body shook as his arms were around her, dragging her close. All the things she’d been missing. He was back.
They were back.
The kiss deepened, and he tried to pull her closer still, but the messenger bag in her lap pressed into her gut.
“Whatever this is, it needs to go.” He let out a frustrated growl and tugged it away.
“No…wait.” She put her hands over his until he released the bag back into her lap. “I’ve got something for you.”
“You do?” He looked confused.
She lifted out the framed certificate, along with a letter from Carol. “Our fundraiser was one of the most successful they’ve had from a community our size. They called and wanted to know how we’d done it. I told them about you.”
“I didn’t do anything—”
“Yes, you did. And when I told them how you’d gone about getting donations, she asked if you’d be interested in doing some training videos to help other groups. There’s no pay, but—”
“They really said that?” He was still, his mouth pressed in a surprised smile.
“I’ve been trying to work up the courage to tell you,” she admitted as his fingers tightened around hers.
“I’m pleased you did. But right now I’d rather hear about this crush of yours.” He pressed his forehead to hers. She let out a soft breath and peered through her lashes at him.
“He jokes. A lot. And can talk to just about everyone. But what I like best is that he’s a guy who seems to remember everything I’ve ever said to him. Who makes everyone feel special. Who goes to stupid lengths to help his friends. Who has no idea how great he really is.”
“That’s some crush you have there, Norah Richmond.” He leaned back, his gaze never leaving hers.
“You’re some guy.” A wave of emotion rushed through her. Her eyes prickled with unshed tears. “I’m so sorry about that night. I was convinced you were going to break my heart. I couldn’t get past it.”
“I know I mess around, but this was never a game for me. I want—” His voice shook. “I really want us to be okay. I want us to date. To be your boyfriend.”
“I want that too,” she said and leaned forward. His mouth was suddenly on hers, his arms around her waist, his warmth on her skin. She closed her eyes. Kissing Zac Mackenzie was in a league of its own.
Epilogue
“Seriously?” Zac looked at the T-shirt Norah was holding out for him to wear. It was white with some kind of ugly animal on it. Its eyes were yellow, and tufts of fur were missing. “I don’t even know what it is.”
“It’s an aye-aye and they’re becoming extinct in Madagascar. Ugly animals have rights too. Besides, it’s not my fault. You were the one who wanted to hold Romy.” Norah glanced over to where the tiny baby was now sleeping.
“Only because she did that cute thing with her hands,” he corrected as he stared at his current shirt, which was now covered in baby puke. Sighing, he tugged it off, careful not to get any on himself, and then pulled on the T-shirt she’d given him. “Still, I guess I’ve worn worse.”
“Oh, Zac. Not again.” Norah’s mom w
alked into the room, her eyes taking in the T-shirt.
“Yes. Still, at least one of your daughters likes me,” he said. Norah’s face colored and he grinned. Flirting with her never got old.
“I’m sure Romy likes you too. At least she’s not on solids yet. It could have been worse,” Norah’s mom teased.
“Worse?” Zac shuddered as Norah’s hand found his.
“We have to go or we’ll be late.” She turned to her mom. “You okay without us?”
“Go and have fun on your date.”
Zac’s fingers tightened around Norah’s. He waited until they were out of the front door then pulled her close. A pulse shuddered through him. The last two months had been the same. The more time they spent together, the better everything was. She’d even become the unofficial mascot for his under-nines team.
He’d also done the training videos, and last week he’d only been one day late for his geography paper, which, if you asked him, was a total win.
“You know.” Norah’s voice was a whisper. “I kind of like the shirt on you.”
“Keep talking.” He brushed his mouth against hers.
“For a start, it’s too tight.” She kissed him a second time. His arm wrapped around her waist, and he tried to decide if there was any chance they could get out of the date they were meant to be going on, so they could be alone.
“Enough, you two,” a voice said, and Zac let out a groan as he gave her a final kiss and reluctantly released her. Piper and Gareth headed toward the house, bickering about something. The only difference was they were holding hands as they did it. They were followed by Via and Hudson, who were so busy looking at each other they almost walked into a tree.
“Remind me again whose idea this was,” he said in a low voice to Norah.
“It was yours.” Her arm snaked around his waist possessively. “You thought it would be fun if we all went to the gaming arcade.”
“I’m an idiot,” he promptly said as a joke, and found her mouth again. Her lips were soft and perfect, and she smelled like lilies. And she was his girlfriend. He gave her one final kiss and they joined the others. Dating was the best game he’d ever played.