Love Me

by Jillian Dodd

Page 4

  “And scary,” Garrett says quietly, grabbing my elbow so I don’t buckle to the ground. “Basically, he’s doing tryouts all over the country, but what he wants is someone to turn in your picture and tell him where to find you. On the website, it mentions they will do some surprise casting calls. As in, you can nominate someone without their knowing and he will show up, surprise them, and let them audition. ”

  “The good news is, I don’t really look that much like my mom. ”

  Garrett shakes his head and holds out a picture of my mom from the movie. She’s in a swimsuit. Her hair is in soft waves. She has a sweetness to her face that I never used to have. But coming here has changed me. Softened me, somehow.

  “You do, Keatyn. Has anyone at school mentioned that?”

  “My friends went to see one of Mom’s movies. When they came back, they said I remind them of her. Mostly that my voice and gestures are identical. ” I start to panic. “What would I do if someone from school sent in my picture without me knowing and he showed up?”

  “It’s my job to prepare for that possibility. Let’s go inside and order some breakfast. I have someone I want you to meet. ”

  I follow Garrett into the diner, my mind still spinning at the lengths Vincent’s going to in order to find me.

  Garrett stops at a table, moves out of my line of sight, and says, “Meet your new babysitter, Cooper Steele. ”

  Cooper Steele stands up to shake my hand.

  Holy hell.

  Please tell me that babysitting involves him spending every single night in my room.

  In my bed.

  This guy is the definition of rugged hotness. Muscles on top of muscles, short buzzed hair, tattoos. He’s not quite six feet, but a woman could learn to love flats if her reward was that body.

  He's wearing tailored black cargo pants and a tight white thermal shirt that allows me to see the outline of a buff chest and muscular shoulders.

  Women in the diner are staring.

  I look around. No, they're drooling. Imagining what's bulging where we can't see.

  I lean around Garrett, shake his hand, and smile. “Hey, I’m Keatyn. ”

  He gestures to the seats across from him in the booth, so Garrett and I slide in.

  A waitress comes over, filling our cups with steamy coffee and flirting with both Cooper and Garrett.

  But the coffee is lukewarm compared to the man staring at me with intensity.

  She takes our orders and then Garrett says, “Cooper is your new interim soccer coach and will be teaching Health class. ”

  Clearly, I’m going to be needing private lessons on drilling the ball into the net.

  “We already have a soccer coach. ”

  “She just got an amazing offer. Seems it’s always been her dream to teach soccer to underprivileged children. A charitable foundation, conveniently, just offered her that dream. Six months of handing out soccer balls in third world countries. The catch was that she has to leave tomorrow. When she hesitated about leaving her girls with no coach, Cooper was recommended. His soccer experience, combined with the urgency of the offer and outstanding references, allowed for a quick hire. ”

  “You don’t really look like a soccer player,” I say to Cooper Steele.

  Cooper gives me a barely perceptible squint of his eyes, but doesn’t respond.

  Garrett continues. “He played on the United States Under-20 Men’s National Team, which qualified for the World Cup. Graduated with honors from Brown University, and is an accomplished MMA fighter. ”

  I look at Cooper. He gives me a teeny smirk. One that is supposed to irritate me, but I’m not sure how it could. The smirk brings out the beginnings of a sexy set of dimples.

  “So, I don’t get it. ”

  “You told me she was smart,” Cooper scoffs.

  Garrett turns to me. “With the letter I just showed you, the possibility of Vincent showing up randomly at Eastbrooke has increased exponentially. I want someone on site to help protect you. ”

  The waitress interrupts us by delivering our food. After she leaves, I say, “So you’re basically my bodyguard? Just how old are you, anyway?”

  “He’s twenty-three,” Garrett says. “He’s also the son of a decorated military man and is an expert marksman. ”

  “So he’ll have a gun with him at all times?”

  “Obviously, he can’t. ”

  “Garrett, if you hired him to protect me, that means I’m paying him to protect me. I’d love to know what I’m getting for my money. A soccer player who knows how to throw a punch and kick the shit out of guy in a ring, and would be a good shot if he had a gun, doesn’t really make me feel all that safe. ”

  “Fine. I pulled him out of the Farm. ”

  “The Farm?”

  “Yes, he was currently at the top of his class, training to be a CIA agent. ”

  Damn.

  “That makes me feel better. ”

  “Obviously, what I just shared with you is confidential. ”

  I nod at Garrett and look at Cooper. “Is this something you want to do? Do you feel this is beneath you?”

  He shakes his head. “I’m honored that I was recruited for something of this nature. I hadn’t really considered the commercial side of things. ”

  I laugh. “In other words, I’m paying him very well?”

  “Basically,” Garrett says. “And I’m always on the lookout for people that fit into my organization. The fact that he is young and just a soccer coach means no one will think twice about him. ”

  “How involved is he going be? How much are we supposed to interact?”

  “I know you don’t want a traditional bodyguard and I don’t think one is necessary at this point. Remember when the school office got broken into and you thought Vincent was there?”

  “Yes. ”

  “He’s the cavalry, Keatyn. I want someone on site if something goes down. ”

  I scrutinize Cooper some more. “Smile for me. ”

  He looks at me kinda funny, but then the corners of his mouth pull up into a smile, popping out those adorable dimples. I shake my head. “Vincent is going to be the least of your worries. You should be more worried about fending off underage schoolgirls that are used to getting anything they want. ”

  Garrett looks at his watch. “Okay, you need to get back to school. When Cooper is announced as your new coach, use your acting skills and pretend to be surprised. And be on guard. Always. And pay attention. If you hear anyone talking about Vincent’s announcement, go straight to Cooper. He’ll get you out of there safely. ”

  “Got it. ”

  Always hot with you.

  Lunch

  I get back to school in time to have lunch with Maggie, who talks endlessly about her crush on Jake, all the possible reasons for why he hasn’t texted her yet, and a bunch of gossip that I’m not really paying attention to. My mind keeps running through horrible scenarios involving Vincent showing up here.

  And something keeps gnawing at the corner of my mind. Something about the letter is bugging me, but I just can’t quite pinpoint what.

  “What happened to the popular table?” Maggie asks, pulling me back into her conversation.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Look at it. It’s changed. ”

  I look at the table. It has changed. Whitney and Peyton are there, of course, but they are down to one minion. Tyrese is gone. Dawson, Jake, and Bryce are there, but no one else is.

  “Well, after Homecoming, Whitney banished Rachel and most of the minions to a different table. I’m sure they will all make up. Where’s Katie at?”

  “Retaking a test. I have to say, I’m hating that you’re in the play. I miss all of us hanging out and studying in your room. ”

  “Me too. How is Annie doing? She hasn’t really talked to me lately. Is she mad at me?”

  “No, she’s freaking out about Ace g
oing to her parents’ anniversary party. ”

  “Why?”

  “He looks like a dumb jock, so she thinks they won’t approve. Her sisters all married skinny, nerdy types. ”

  “Well, hopefully they give him a chance. I would think as soon as he starts talking, they’ll know he’s smart. ”

  “I hope so. Regardless, she’s freaking out. ”

  “I don’t think it’s just that. I think she helped Aiden with the stars. She’s been avoiding me ever since. ”

  “She’s afraid you’re mad at her. ”

  “I’m not mad at her. She’s one of my best friends. ”

  “I think she’s not that used to having friends who stand by her. ”

  “Well, she better get used to it, right? We’re not going anywhere. ”

  Maggie smiles at me and nods. “Right. Oh, shit, here comes Dawson. ” Then she says, out of the corner of her mouth, “Or are we supposed to be happy about that?”

  “I’m not sure. ”

  She laughs. “Let me guess. It’s complicated?”

  We both start giggling. “Do you ever feel like you have no idea what you’re doing with your life?”

  “All the time,” she says. “All the time. Hey, I gotta get to class. See ya later. ”

  As Dawson walks me to French, he says, “I missed sitting by you today. I’m so glad we got back together last night. ”

  “We didn’t get back together, Dawson. ”

  “I meant back together. You make me feel so good, Keatie. ”

  “We shouldn’t have. I mean, I shouldn’t have. ”

  “But you said you wanted to. ”

  “I needed to know if things would feel different. Did they feel different to you?”

  “No, it was amazing. The way you pulled my hips into you. So hot. It’s always so hot with you. ”

  “I just, I think, I mean, I’m not sure we should again. Like until we decide what It’s complicated means. ”

  “It’s really not all that complicated, Keatie. I made a stupid mistake. You forgave me. ”

  “I know you’re sorry about it. But I’m not over it, Dawson. Not at all,” I say as Annie and Aiden walk by me into class. “Bye. ”

  I sit in my seat and see that Annie is still ignoring me.

  I sneak a glance back at Aiden. As usual, I can’t decipher what the hell he’s thinking.

  Miss Praline starts class by handing back the quizzes they took yesterday.

  Aiden holds his quiz in front of my face. I see a bright red A on the front of it.

  “Congratulations . . . ”

  “Keatyn, don’t look at his quiz,” Miss Praline chastises. She hands me a blank one. “Go out into the hall and take this. ”

  I finish my quiz quickly then pull my phone out of my blazer pocket.

  Me: I met with Garrett today. I hope you’re doing okay with all that’s going on in the news. And yay for Millie & Deron!!

  Mom: I have to go in a second. I just got called on set. But I’m happy for them too.

  Me: Gracie’s birthday is coming up. Are you doing anything?

  Mom: Her birthday is on a Monday, so we’re all taking the day off. Having a family party at the house. She asked for a bouncy house, a rainbow, chocolate chips, tap shoes, her very own stage, and lots of balloons.

  Me: So is that what you’re doing?

  Mom: Yes, Tommy is having a stage built for her.

  Me: I want to come.

  Mom: I wish you could. I’m really worried about Vincent’s press release. Have you thought of dying your hair?

  Me: Not really. Do you think I should?

  Mom: Well, it might be safer, you know? I have to go. Love you.

  Me: Love you too.

  I think about Gracie’s birthday. How I’ve never missed the girls’ birthdays. How it’s not fair that I’m missing them growing up. That I’m so afraid they might forget me.

  I sigh and decide to message Riley. I don’t feel like going back into class yet.

  Me: What did the dean think of the video? Did he love it?

  Riley: He was very pleased. Where were you this morning? I called but you didn’t answer.

  Me: I had a dentist appointment that I had forgotten about.

  Riley: You didn’t sit with Dawson at lunch?

  Me: I wanted to talk to Maggie.

  Riley: I think Jake has a crush on her.

  Me: I think they would be cute together. But it will piss Whitney off. She wants to get back together with him.

  Riley: Who cares.

  Me: I love you.

  Riley: Yes, I know.

  I decide to text Maggie next.

  Me: Jake doesn’t have rehearsal tonight. Maybe you should suggest meeting up in the library again.

  Maggie: You seemed kind of out of it at lunch today. You were nodding at the right times, but it seemed like your mind was somewhere else. Are you doing okay with all of this Dawson stuff? And you never did tell me about the stars. Although Katie filled me in on what happened. What Aiden said. About being friends.

  Me: Aiden is confusing. That’s why I liked Dawson. He never confused me. It was easy. It’s still easy. Like it would be so easy to just forgive him and move on.

  Maggie: What does it’s complicated mean to you?

  Me: It means I slept with him. I know it was dumb, but I had to see if it was different. Like if somehow his hanging out with Whitney ruined him. Ruined his lips or something.

  I press send then stop. Read what I just typed. Ruined his lips. Dawson ruined my lips once.

  Is that what’s happening again? Am I letting him ruin my chances with Aiden? Do I even have a chance with Aiden? And why does he want to be my freaking friend? Why doesn’t he want to fix my lips forever?

  Maggie: Did it?

  Me: No. It was as hot as always. Except now I feel a little guilty about it.