The Man, The Myth, The Nerd: High School Billionaires #3

by Dallen, Maggie

  I scrambled out of the truck when I realized how long I’d been sitting there staring.

  Ogling.

  Okay, fine…maybe I was drooling over here. It really was annoying that he’d turned out so hot. I’d always known he would, and magazines and online features had already told me he had, but seeing the full force that was Tieg Larson in person? That was a whole other story.

  The crowd around Tieg was so focused on him, no one noticed me approach.

  Tieg was the first to spot me. His gaze shot up from Allison and straight to me like he’d sensed me coming. I paused mid-step. What to do? Should I wave? Should I glower? After all, what right did he have to come here after the way we’d left things?

  I just stood there like a moron. An idiot who was trying desperately to cling to anger because if I didn’t…

  I didn’t want to think about what I’d be feeling if not for this anger.

  But Brady had been right, and I did need to talk to him. If for no other reason than that it wasn’t fair to Brady to use him like I had.

  Right. I squared my shoulders and continued to meet his stare. By now the crowd seemed to have noticed that he wasn’t paying attention to them, and out of the corner of my eye, I caught a few following his gaze to watch me as well.

  Heat crept up my neck at the attention, but I still didn’t look away. I couldn’t. I swear, he was holding me hostage. He didn’t let go until I was so close I could smell the campfire and hear the laughter and chatter of my friends. Then he ducked his head, said something to Allison and moved away from the crowd to meet me.

  I stopped at the tree line, and he stopped a few feet away from me.

  “I’m so sorry,” he said without preamble.

  I nodded, that anger was fading fast, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or spelled imminent disaster for my heart. “I know,” I said, softening it with a small smile. “You’ve said that already.” I looked upward as if counting. “About ten times.”

  “No, I’m sorry…” He cleared his throat and shifted closer until the familiar scent of him drowned out the trees and the fire and the rest of the world. “I meant…I’m so sorry about your mom.”

  I blinked rapidly, shock and sadness making tears feel far too close. I opened my mouth and then choked on the words. Out of instinct, I went to say, “It’s okay,” but it wasn’t. “Thanks,” I said instead.

  “What happened?”

  I looked past him to the friends who’d been there for me. To Brady, who was shooting looks in our direction, seemingly unaware that Allison was trying to get his attention.

  “Car accident,” I said. “She died instantly. No one else was hurt.” I’d learned it was easier to avoid tears if I stated the facts, just the facts.

  “I didn’t know,” he said, his voice gruff.

  “I figured,” I said. And then, because I couldn’t stop myself… “But if you had?”

  He hesitated.

  I supposed that was my answer. “You wouldn’t have come back if you’d known, would you? Not even to go to her funeral?”

  “I would have wanted to. I think maybe I would have…” He winced. “I’m making a mess of this.”

  I arched a brow. Yeah, he really was. “It’s cool. I didn’t think you’d come back which was why I didn’t go out of my way to tell you.”

  He sighed as he met my gaze head on. “You’re right, I probably wouldn’t have come back because I would have assumed you wouldn’t have wanted to see me. I would have assumed—”

  “You sure do make a lot of assumptions,” I said. My tone wasn’t nearly as cold as it had been, or as I’d meant it to be. I sounded kind of…amused, and then he had to go and give me that lopsided grin that always made my heart skip a beat.

  “I wouldn’t have wanted to cause you any more pain,” he said.

  “Right,” I said, my tone flat but not unkind. “Just like you pushed me away and left me for my own good. Have you noticed yet that your attempts to keep from hurting me...end up hurting me?”

  He winced and shoved his hands into his jeans pockets. “How many times can I say I’m sorry in one day? Like, is there a world record I should be aiming for here?”

  I didn’t want to laugh. I sooo did not want to laugh. But I had to press my lips together hard to keep from laughing. “I think one more time should do it.”

  His eyes moved over my face and his answering smile was heaven on earth. It was familiar but new, warm and tender, sexy and sweet.

  Oh, good grief. With a smile like that was it any wonder that I’d gone and fallen for him?

  Was it any wonder half the women on this planet had a crush on him?

  That reminder brought me back to my senses. “So,” I said. “Thanks for making time in your busy schedule to help us out.”

  He shrugged. “I was happy for the excuse to see you.”

  My gaze had wandered but now it shot back to meet his. See you. He hadn’t said see everyone or see you guys or anything generic like that.

  Should I be reading into that?

  Did I want to read into that?

  Oh shoot, I was already reading into that. I sighed. “Yeah, well, the door was always open.”

  He winced again. “I’m sorry.”

  “And there it is, ladies and gentlemen,” I said in a loud, announcer’s voice that made him grin. “Lucky apology number eight thousand and three.”

  “Okay, fine, that’s the last one…” He leaned in as if letting me in on a secret. “For now.”

  I so wished his low voice didn’t make the butterflies in my belly go wild. For now…which made it sound like there’d be a later.

  Don’t be stupid. I stared down at my sneakers trying to think of a topic that wasn’t a land mine between us. “How long are you going to be in town?”

  “Just until the concert’s over.”

  I kept my gaze on the ground as I nodded. Sometimes I really hated my stupid heart, but I’ve never been so angry with it as I was right now. In what universe was I allowed to be disappointed because his stay was short? I should be celebrating that he’d be out of my life in a matter of days.

  Hooray. See? Can’t you just feel the excitement?

  I was still staring at the ground so I could see his feet shuffling forward, the combat boots crunching through the brush. “I could come back…if you wanted.”

  Oh man, how did he do that? How did he go from cocky and confident to vulnerable and sweet so quickly? It was enough to give a girl whiplash, and my heart…oh my heart had lost the battle with confusion a long time ago. My heart no longer knew if it was coming or going.

  My answering silence lasted too long. It turned awkward. I didn’t think either of us knew what to do with awkward. Anger, that wasn’t too rare. Even back when we were kids we’d had our fair share of fights. The older we got, the more those fights usually stemmed from jealousy or possessiveness…and maybe even sexual tension. Not that we would have known to call it that at fourteen.

  But now? I felt that thing between us grow despite the awkwardness. Maybe because of it. I was acutely aware of my body—the way heat was coursing through me despite the chill in the air, the way my skin felt too sensitive beneath my clothes, the way a little part of me just wanted to burrow against him and inhale him completely.

  Judging by the way his eyes had darkened with heat, I knew he felt it too.

  He looked away suddenly, his chest rising and falling with a deep inhale. “So, you and Brady…”

  Reality was a harsh slap in the face. Right. That was what I needed to talk to him about. “Yeah, about that…”

  He turned back to face me. “I’m happy for you.”

  I blinked.

  “Seriously. I know I acted like a caveman before...” He scratched at his head. “I know it’s not my place anymore—”

  “It’s not.” I was agreeing with him, but mainly for my own benefit. I needed to remind myself of that because my stupid heart was stupidly denying it. My silly, childish
, lovestruck heart wanted him to be jealous, and it wanted him to claim me as his own, and it wanted him to want me the way he always had. Because whether I liked it or not…I still wanted him. And in my eyes, he was still mine.

  I wanted him to be jealous, but a little part of me still felt that guilt, that shame…I glanced over at Brady again and watched him laughing. He deserved better than to be used in some sort of game. I cleared my throat. “But about that…”

  Tieg’s eyes met mine. He was searching my gaze, and I let out a long sigh. “We’re not together.”

  His brows shot up, and I knew I hadn’t missed the look of relief…maybe even triumph.

  Dang it if that didn’t make my own heart light up like a firecracker. Stupid, stupid heart.

  “So,” he said slowly.

  I wished I didn’t love that cocky smirk he wore.

  He shifted closer. “That kiss you gave him back on your porch…”

  I pursed my lips and crossed my arms. He was going to make me say it. He was really going to make me say it. I let out a resigned exhale. “That was for your benefit.”

  His eyes lit with that triumphant glow, but they were also filled with a dangerous glint. He looked like a panther stalking its prey and heaven help me…I loved it.

  I felt an answering thrill. This was different. This side of him was new. Heck, this part of me was new. It was the grown-up version of a childish crush…far more heat but no less thrilling. The butterflies in my belly were on fire as he took another step closer.

  “Are you dating anyone?” he asked softly.

  I shook my head.

  His voice was little more than a growl. “So if I kissed you right now…?”

  My heart leapt into my throat with excitement. Anticipation. My lips parted.

  He moved closer. “If I kissed you right now…no one would get hurt.”

  No one except me. I drew in a deep breath as self-preservation finally reared its head. This was Tieg Larson, the guy who’d hurt me more than anyone else ever had. The guy who’d spent the last three years riding off into the rock world sunset, and he never failed to have a girl on his arm. He’s moved on, stupid heart!

  He might be back now, but he’d moved on once and he’d do it again.

  The thought of all those girls I’d seen him with, each picture causing a stabbing pain of jealousy…I met his gaze and hesitated only briefly before asking the question I dreaded hearing the answer to. “Are you dating anyone?”

  He shook his head. He was so close I could reach out and touch him. So close I could feel the heat from his body wrap around me until I thought I might burst into flames. “From the looks of it, you’re always dating somebody.”

  His lips twitched up in that cocky smirk again. “Jealous?”

  I pressed my lips together. Yes.

  His eyes danced with satisfaction and laughter. “You shouldn’t be. There’s only ever been one girl for me, Daisy. I’ve only ever loved you.”

  The air rushed out of my lungs in a whoosh. Had he just said that?

  Judging by the flash of surprise in his eyes…yeah, he’d said it. And he’d shocked himself too. I scrambled back a step. “Y-you can’t just come back here and—”

  “I know.” He thrust a hand into his hair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even mean to say that, I—” He shut his eyes for a second. “I mean, I meant it, but I didn’t mean to dump that on you when we’re finally talking…” He cursed under his breath, dropping his hand and taking a step back. “Can we start over?”

  I arched my brows. “You want a do-over?”

  My head was still reeling from the L-word—even when we’d kissed that one and only time, right here in this very campsite, he hadn’t used the L-word. I had, but he hadn’t. Yet here he was, all grown up and talking about love and…asking for a second chance.

  My heart was racing in my chest, my lungs were moving too quickly. I had to stop my brain from replaying his words over and over again.

  I had to stop this horrible feeling of hope that threatened to take over and mess with my head. That hope would be the death of me if he left me again.

  When he left me again.

  That reminder brought my feet back down onto the ground, and I took a few steadying breaths. “I never let you have a do-over when we played as kids, what makes you think I’d give you a do-over now?”

  I was teasing, and he knew it. He grinned, likely sharing the same memories of a childhood spent playing baseball in the school playground or racing each other back to his parents’ trailer park back when they were still in the picture.

  His eyes danced with mischief. “Because you’ve missed me?”

  I let out a snort of amusement. “Yeah, right.”

  “I know you did,” he said, his voice a teasing sing-song. “You missed me, admit it.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “I missed my old pal Tieg.” I eyed him from head to toe, oddly enjoying the familiar feel of bickering with this guy. It felt like a relief after all the tension. “This new egotistical rock star?” I made a pssh noise. “I have no use for him.”

  He laughed as I’d known he would. “Other than needing my fame and glory to draw people in for this charity event of yours.”

  “Right.” I waved a dismissive hand. “Other than that.”

  “You think I’m all that different?” He looked smug, like he had a secret, but I also saw curiosity there, like he really wanted to know what I thought of him.

  I shrugged. “I can’t see how you wouldn’t be different. Three years of traveling the world, being treated like a celebrity, and living like a king?” I arched my brows. “How could you not be different?”

  He nodded. “Fair enough. I guess maybe I am. But not in the ways that count.”

  “What does that mean?”

  He ignored that. “What about you? Are you so very different now?”

  I thought back to all that had happened in three years and found myself crossing my arms protectively over my chest. “Yeah. I guess I am.”

  His eyes flickered over me, and I wondered what he saw…what changes, for better or for worse. “You’re still taking care of everyone around you.”

  My smile was small and sad. “Yeah, but these days it’s not out of the goodness of my heart so much as it is necessity.”

  Tieg was quiet, his gaze tender and sweet. “When are you going to let someone else take care of you for a change?”

  I didn’t think he really expected an answer. I sure as heck had no idea how to answer, so I didn’t. My mind had randomly called up that acceptance letter. The desire to be selfish was so very overwhelming some days. To walk away from my duties and responsibilities and do something for myself… I shook off the thoughts with a wide smile. “See? You have changed. The old Tieg wouldn’t be wasting his night talking about all sorts of heavy stuff when he could be partying it up with his friends.”

  He grinned and shoved his hands in his pockets, looking over his shoulder at the group of kids he’d gone to school with for most of his life who were laughing and joking by the campfire. “You’re right,” he said slowly. “Maybe it’s time I show you that I haven’t changed all that much.”

  He started to walk away, heading toward his rental car. “What does that mean?” I called after him.

  The lopsided smile he shot me over his shoulder was the stuff of my wildest dreams. “Your sister reminded me that once upon a time I was actually something of…” He paused, pretending to think. “What was it she said you called me? Oh yeah, a nerd.”

  I laughed at his arched brows and teasing accusation. “I did say that, didn’t I?”

  He laughed too, and the shared moment felt way too good. So good, I could get used to it. So good, I could forget all the bad stuff that ever happened to us.

  He turned back to the car.

  Wait…was he leaving? “Where are you going?” I called.

  He opened the door to the backseat and pulled out an acoustic guitar. He held it up in triumph. “I haven�
�t changed all that much, Daisy Lou. I’ll prove it to you.”

  Chapter Seven

  Tieg

  I wasn’t exactly sure what I hoped to achieve by humiliating myself in front of a group of teenagers who all held phones…phones that included video cameras.

  No one even tried to hide the fact that they were filming this oh-so-special moment. But you know what? Any impending humiliation brought on by viral videos were totally forgotten when Daisy snort-laughed at the opening chords of Kumbaya.

  Even Brady was smiling when I launched into a bible school number that I was certain none of us had sung since Daisy’s mom used to lead the class. Between songs, we roasted marshmallows, and ate hot dogs and the cupcakes that Daisy brought. I, of course, was asked to play Happy Birthday to the birthday girl, and I happily obliged.

  I would have said yes to just about anything if it meant seeing Daisy smile.

  And the birthday girl, of course. Though, truth be told, it was only Daisy and Brady I really wanted to see. Brady and I had a good talk while Daisy went to fetch napkins from the truck, though we steered clear of what had always been and likely would always be a sensitive topic between us.

  I mean, what was I supposed to say? So, I hear you and Daisy still aren’t a thing… Probably not the most tactful comment of all time. But I could admit that I was still celebrating that fact on the inside. Even without talk of Daisy, Brady and I had a good conversation. We didn’t solve the world’s problems or anything, but I got caught up on his family and siblings, and heard all the gossip from town. Aside from my regular chats with Jamie, it was possibly the most normal, non-music related conversation I’d had in a very long time. Normalcy felt surprisingly amazing.

  It wasn’t until after cupcakes—and the most wholesome night of entertainment I’d experienced in years—that it happened. I should have been ready for this. I really should have. Three years as an “overnight” success story should have taught me that this would inevitably happen.