With a sigh, I drop down on my seat. I need to fix this somehow.
"Hey, Mouse." It's as if the universe has granted the answer.
Pursing my lips, I turn my head to the guy sitting on my right. "I can't believe you told her."
"Told what now?"
"Harper," I hiss. "Why did you have to go and confront her about it?"
"Oh, I get it now." Jake smirks, leaning back against his seat. "She's pissed that you told me her little ploy."
I glare at him. "You could've just acted all cool about it. You didn't have to humiliate her."
"Whoa, hold up. I did nothing of the sort. I just told her I knew what she was up to."
I narrow my eyes into slits. "Yeah, right."
"No, I'm serious. Why would I do that? I'm not even remotely mad that she used me to get to Johnston. I'm actually flattered that she chose me out of all the guys available."
I blink at him. Is he for real? "You're joking, right?"
"As serious as a heart attack, babe." He winks at me.
"I'm not one of your babes, Jakey."
That makes him scowl. "Don't call me that. That's only reserved for my baby sister."
"Fine. Whatever." I roll my eyes. "I need you to talk to her, okay?
"And what will I tell her?"
"I don't know. Tell her that you were cool about it. That you were just joking and didn't mean to humiliate her. Tell her that you're actually flattered. You said so yourself anyway."
I'm not sure that it'll make her talk to me, but I'm hoping it'll thaw her anger a bit so she can finally accept my apology and stop being mad at me. It won't hurt to try, right?
"Why don't you just tell her the truth?"
"What truth?"
He sighs, as if I should already know the answer to that. "The truth about your feelings for me."
Uh, what now? "What the heck are you talking about, Wilson?" He better not be meaning what I think he means.
Jake folds his arms across his chest and smirks. "Oh, come on, Pruitt. Do you really want me to spell it out to you?" He gives a playful wink.
"You're seriously delusional if you think I have any kind of feelings for you," I say dryly. "On second thought, I'm having one right now."
"Attraction?"
"No. Annoyance."
He smiles. "Because you can't help what you feel?"
I open my mouth to respond to that, but Mr. Harrison chooses the moment to enter the classroom.
"I expect all of you to be done with your assignment. Pass it forward."
I shoot Jake a look that says I'll deal with you later before fishing out our assignment from my bag and doing what our teacher instructed.
I barely pay attention to class. My thoughts are divided between my current rift with Harper and Jake's assumption that I'm into him. The first one—what am I going to do to fix it? The second—ew! How did he arrive at that conclusion? Cocky, much?
So that's what he was implying when we were doing our assignment in his house? I can't believe he thinks I did what I did because I like him. The nerve of this boy. I don't know whether to laugh or be pissed at his confidence.
Maybe both.
Chapter 8
It's been days and Harper still won't talk to me. I thought she'd get over it by now, but she's being stubborn. She even refuses to sit with me at lunch.
This is the longest we haven't spoken to each other, and it's killing me. I hate that my best friend and I have come to this. And it was my own doing that led us to our current situation. Well, technically, it was her ploy—but try telling her that, so I'm taking all the blame.
According to Marie—who's been going out of her way to bridge the gap between us—she's still in denial about her feelings for Kirby. But no matter how much Harper tries to hide it, she still can't help but shoot him longing glances. I've even caught her doing just that a few times.
And it gives me the perfect idea. I think I know how to make up to my bestie. I can't guarantee it will work. But at this point, I'm open to anything.
I just need Jake's help to do it.
I take my chance when I spot him at his locker after last period ended.
"You owe me," I say without any preamble, uncaring that he's engaged in a conversation with his friend, Ethan Harris. I'm pretty sure whatever they're talking about pales in comparison to my issue at hand.
Combing his fingers through his long-ish dark hair, Ethan lifts a brow at me then at Jake, looking intrigued and maybe a little bit amused.
Jake just gives a shrug.
"Guess I'll see you later, man," Ethan says, smirking. Then acknowledging me with a nod, he strides off.
I watch him go, noting the guitar case he's carrying on his back. It's not the first time I've seen him with it. He's in a band, so he sometimes brings his guitar to school.
"Are you going to state your business or do you want to continue staring after him?" Jake's annoyed voice pulls my attention back to him.
I smirk at him. "Bad day?"
He rolls his eyes. "Just out with it, Mouse."
Yeah. He seems to be in a mood. Maybe pestering him about Harper right now isn't a good idea. But when's a better time if not now?
"You know what my business is." When he just blankly stares at me, I glare. "Harper, duh."
His mouth lifts at the corner. "She's still not talking to you, huh?"
"Yeah. Thanks to you."
"How is it my problem again? Will you refresh my memory?"
"It's not your problem. It's mine," I sigh, softening my voice. "But I need your help." Badly as a matter of fact. But I don't tell him that.
"Uh-huh." He folds his arms over his chest. "You said I owe you."
He doesn't really owe me anything. I just had to start with something.
"You said I didn't have to tell you that Harper was just using you to make Kirby jealous. You were right about that. So you see, I kind of did you a favor."
"A favor," he repeats slowly.
"Yeah."
"And you want me to return it?"
"That would be great."
"Okay, I'm listening." His lips twitch with amusement.
I blow out a breath. "I need you to help me fix their relationship."
"Get them back together, you mean?"
"Yeah, that. Whatever." I wave a hand dismissively. "Bottom line is I need your help."
"Okay."
I blink in surprise. "Really?"
"Yeah, Mouse, I'll help you." He slams his locker shut, hiking his backpack higher on his shoulder.
"Okay, so—"
"Listen, I have to go. I'm late for practice. But I'll see you later." Flicking my nose gently, he swaggers away, leaving me gaping after him.
I can't believe he agreed that fast. I was actually prepared to do a lot of convincing to get his cooperation. But he was quick to say yes.
So, now what? What do I do next?
I'm still thinking about that hours later as I lie on my bed, staring up at the ceiling of my room.
I've successfully enlisted Jake's help, but I don't have any concrete plans yet. I have no idea what my next steps are. All I have is the determination to make it right with my best friend. Bringing her and Kirby back together will do that.
I never thought the day that I'd play Cupid to Harper would come, but here we are. Not that I've been a matchmaker to anyone before. I'm a hundred percent clueless about what needs to be done.
Maybe Jake has a good idea. Maybe that's the reason why I got him on board in the first place.
Jake Wilson, a matchmaker—who would've thought?
I pick up my phone from my bedside table to text him before remembering that I haven't given my number to him yet. Well, now what?
Maybe my friends know. I'll just—
"Callie, honey, you have a visitor!" Mom's voice coming from downstairs shakes me out of my thoughts.
What visitor? I'm not expecting anyone. Harper's the only one who often comes over, and considering she's c
urrently not talking to me, I'm certain it's not her waiting downstairs.
Climbing out of bed, I pad out of my room and head downstairs, trying to remember if I made plans with Kara or Marie.
But Mom wouldn't call them visitors. She's known them since we were kids. She'd just mention their names. So, who's at the door?
"What the heck are you doing here, Wilson?" Cole's angry voice has me frozen for a moment.
Jake's here?
"Oh, crap." Quickening my steps, I make my way to the front door, not at all surprised to see Cole glaring hard at Jake.
Spotting me over my twin's shoulder, Jake smirks. "Hey, Mouse."
Cole snaps his head toward me, his eyes flaring with disbelief. "You invited him over? And why the heck is he calling you Mouse?"
"Because we're besties. Didn't your sister tell you that?"
Oh, I'm going to kill him! Glaring at Jake to shut up, I turn to Cole. "I didn't know he was coming here. I'm just as clueless as you."
"I don't care. Get rid of him. He's not welcome here."
Ugh. I've had it with him and his freaking tantrum. Right now, I don't care that he can't stand Jake. It's not my problem, it's his.
"I think you're forgetting something here, Cole," I hiss. "This is my home too. So I can very well invite whoever I want!"
"So you're admitting that you invited him?"
"Hey. Lay off her, man," Jake interjects, getting between me and my brother, and positioning me behind his back. "Is this how you treat your own sister?"
I gape at the back of Jake's head, surprised at the hardness in his voice. Why is he being protective of me all of a sudden?
Cole scoffs. "And what are you? Her designated hero? Whatever you're thinking, it's never going to happen."
I glare at him. "Seriously?"
Wait, what's never going to happen?
"What's going on here?" Mom is standing a few feet away, staring at us with a deep frown on her forehead, stopping me from voicing out the question.
"Finally. Someone that can break off this craziness," I mumble under my breath. Then raising my voice, I tell her, "Nothing, Mom. Cole is just being an idiot."
Before either of the two idiots can say anything, I'm grabbing Jake's arm and pulling him back out into the porch, closing the door behind us, effectively separating him from my twin. "What the heck was that, Jake? Are you out of your mind? You know you can't just come here unannounced."
He just smirks. "I'm not afraid of your brother, Mouse."
I roll my eyes. "You know that he's harmless, right? It's not like he's going to jump you or something. I just don't want to deal with the drama the two of you can cause. Which you just basically proved in there." I fold my arms over my chest, remembering that I'm just wearing a thin white tank top and a pair of gray boy shorts.
It's a good thing I still have my bra on underneath. It would've been embarrassing otherwise. Accidentally flashing Jake Wilson is the last thing I need.
"Cold?" Jake asks softly.
Before I can say no, he's shrugging off his jacket and draping it over my shoulders. I can smell the lingering scent of his cologne on it.
First he "protected" me from Cole, and now this? Why is he acting like a gentleman toward me, all of a sudden? And what's with the never-gonna-happen comment of my twin?
But as much as I'd like to address that, there's a more pressing issue I need to deal with.
My eyes meet his. "Um, thanks." I clear my throat, wanting to get to the point of his visit. "So, uh, what are you doing here, Jake?"
"You said you needed my help."
"Yeah. Do you have something in mind?"
A slow smile spreads on his face. "As a matter of fact, I do."
Chapter 9
"This is crazy. What if we get caught?"
"Then we'll get caught."
"Really? That's your answer?"
"Relax, Mouse. I've done this a million times."
I stare down at the box of chocolates in his hands then swing my eyes back to his face. He snuck chocolates in girls' lockers before? I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
"No, I haven't," Jake chuckles. "I was just messing with you. You're too serious."
My cheeks heat up from the embarrassment of blurting the thought out loud before making a face. "Good to know. So, uh, how are we going to do it?" I glance through the door of the empty classroom we're currently in, feeling a little nervous that someone will walk in and bust us any minute.
Last night, Jake brought up the idea of sneaking chocolates into Harper's locker. He said we'd make it look like they came from Kirby. He said it was the best course of action.
I think it's lame, not to mention ineffective. Harper is a lot of things, but being dumb is not one of them. There's a great chance that she'll find out that Kirby didn't give them to her. And when she learns that the chocolates came from me? She'll be even more pissed than she already is. And the chances of her ever talking to me will be reduced from slim to none.
"You know Harper's combination lock, right?" When I don't immediately respond, he stares me down. "Please tell me you do."
I roll my eyes. "Yeah, I do."
"Good. I'll go distract her while you put these babies inside." He taps the top of the box and winks at me.
Um, what? He wants me to sneak the chocolates in myself? This was all his idea!
"I'm sorry. I think I heard you wrong."
"Think about it, Mouse. Who do you think would cause more suspicion? You, her best friend, who probably opened her locker a time or two in the past? Or me, who never had anything to do with her?"
I hate that he has a point—a very valid point at that. It would really look more suspicious if he was the one to do it. But it doesn't mean I have to like it.
"Fine," I say grudgingly.
"Should we write a note?" Jake asks.
"No. She probably knows Kirby's handwriting. Let's just make it anonymous. Let her come to her own conclusion."
A slow smile spreads his lips. "Glad to have you finally on board."
We've already come this far, I can't just back out and leave him hanging. "Whatever. Let's just get this thing over and done with. Make sure you'll distract her well, okay?"
Jake gives me a playful wink. "Leave everything to me, Mouse."
I sigh. That's what I'm afraid of.
Ten minutes later and I'm watching Jake distract my best friend with his charm. Judging from the giggles coming out of Harper, he's doing a good job.
"Too good, if you ask me," I mumble with a frown.
But now's not the time to dwell on it. I still need to do my part.
Trying not to look suspicious, I casually make my way to Harper's locker, stifling the urge to look over my shoulder as I stuff the box of chocolates inside. It doesn't take more than a few minutes and I'm walking away.
Instead of going the opposite direction, I intentionally walk past Jake and Harper. Then for some reason, instead of giving him a discreet nod, I find myself winking at him.
An amused smile is the reaction I get, causing my cheeks to flush. Which only widens the smirk on his face.
Jake Wilson just made me blush twice. That's new...and a little troubling.
It's just probably my nerves. I'm too wound up by what we just pulled off. That's why I'm feeling a little weird.
Yeah. That has to be it.
I just rounded a corner when someone wraps an arm over my shoulders, startling me.
"Told you it would work," a male voice whispers into my ear, his breath fanning the side of my face, causing goosebumps to rise up on my arms.
I shove his arm off me. "I never said it wouldn't. But don't get too confident. We still have Kirby to deal with."
"You really need to chill, Mouse. You're always on edge. Trust me—before you know it, you and Harper will be back to being Cagney and Lacey again."
Great. Now, he's comparing us to the characters of a cop show from the eighties.
I choose to ignore that. "Be
tween the two of us, someone has to be."
He smirks. "But where's the fun in that?"
"We're not doing this to have fun." I glare at him.
Why's he following me anyway? He's being obvious when he knows full well that we need to be discreet about it. Attracting attention is the last thing we need. But clearly, I'm the only one who's conscious of that fact.
Even now, some students are giving us curious glances. Are they wondering if I'm the current apple of Jake Wilson's eyes?
God, I seriously hope not.
"Of course," Jake mutters, rolling his eyes. "Like I need a reminder of that."
Guilt nips at me, reminding me that Jake didn't have to help me. Yet, he did. And I'm being too hard on him when I have no right to be.
The truth is I owe him.
"Sorry," I mumble.
He blinks in confusion. "What are you saying sorry for?"
"For being too snippy with you." I give him a sheepish smile. "It wasn't your fault I needed your help in the first place."
Jake smiles wide, giving my side a gentle nudge "You going soft on me, Pruitt?"
I suppress a smile of my own. "Shut up."
"Or maybe it's those things called feelings." Now, I feel like wiping that cocky grin on his face.
"Has anyone ever told you you're too full of yourself?" I say, stopping when I realize we're already outside my next class.
"I'm just messing with you, Mouse." He flicks my nose.
I scowl at him. Why does he love doing that?
"But I wouldn't mind if it were true." His expression turns serious just then, his eyes searching mine.
Is it just me or is the air around us suddenly thick? It feels charged with something like…anticipation. But what are we anticipating for?
I blink and dart my eyes away, unable to stand the sudden weird vibe between us. "I should probably head inside before the teacher gets in."
"Right." Why does he sound disappointed? "See you around, Mouse." Then he's strolling off, his confidence oozing from his strides.
I stay on the spot a moment longer, staring after him in bewilderment. What just happened?
Chapter 10
Don't Kiss Your Brother's Sworn Enemy (Don't Kiss! Series Book 1) Page 4