by Jordan Ford
“Thank you.” I lean across and kiss her cheek. “You’re the best.”
“Yeah, well, I expect a very detailed rundown of events the next day…and you can buy me lunch while you’re telling me about it.”
“Deal.”
She winks and giggles before grabbing her stuff and hauling ass to the gym before the bell rings.
Grabbing a pen and sheet of paper out of my bag, I quickly compose a letter to Vincent. I hope he gets it before the end of the day. I can’t wait to wipe that sad, rebuffed look off his face.
10
Smile
VINCENT
I pull my car into school, already dreading homeroom and the fact that I’ll get bawled out by my teacher and issued an after-school detention. It’s happened plenty of times before. I’m not due for another lecture from Principal Sheehan yet, but if I skip out again, it’ll come.
Sometimes I want to tell them the real reasons why I skip out on school, but that’ll just open a whole big-ass can of worms that I’m not prepared to deal with.
No, I just have to keep my head down and get this next year and a half over with.
My grades are currently good enough to get me a diploma next year. Even though I can’t see how I’ll use it, I’ll have it. And Selena says that counts for something.
Yet another hopeful female.
My mind skips to Chloe.
Closing my eyes, I lean my head back in the seat, feeling like such a frickin’ idiot for even trying to ask her out. I should never have tried to step things up a notch. The letters were enough, and now I’ve totally screwed it up.
Shit!
Shouldering my door open, I slam it shut and get a couple of looks from those parked nearby. I give them all my best death glare and they shy away, scuttling toward the school.
I must look like one mean bastard.
Of course Chloe wouldn’t want to be seen with me.
With a sharp huff, I hitch my bag and trudge into school. The bell will be going soon, so the hallways are kind of full, but they part like the freaking Red Sea when I walk in.
I hide my eye roll and stalk past the nervous student body until I spot Chloe standing in the corner staring at me. She’s the only set of eyes brave enough to do it. Her lips curve into a smile, so I deepen my scowl, trying to put her off.
Rather than the hurt sadness I expect, she gives me a don’t you look at me like that kind of frown, and I’m startled by it.
My head jolts back, my scowl changing from mean to confused when she tips her head the exact same way I did yesterday.
I hesitate, not sure if I should follow her. I’m not up for a second rejection, even if she does word it sweetly and has the best excuses in the world. I don’t want to hear it.
I plant my feet, set on turning toward my locker, until she spins and catches my eye. Her eyebrows wrinkle with a silent plea and it tugs me toward her before I can stop myself.
Thumping down the stairs, I turn the corner and find her in the same alcove as yesterday.
“Hi,” she whispers with a smile.
I lift my chin at her, then glance away. It’s a protection technique, but I feel like a douchebag greeting her that way.
“I’m guessing you didn’t get my note yesterday.”
I clench my jaw, desperate to know what it says, but also not. It’ll just be a sweet excuse.
“I put it in your locker before last period. I was hoping you’d get it before you went home.”
“I left school early,” I mutter.
“Oh.” Her eyes are assessing my expression. I can feel them on me, delving, searching for some way to understand me.
I sniff and swipe a finger under my nose before turning for the stairs. “I’ll go check it now.”
“Wait.” She grabs my arm before I can walk away. Her long fingers curl around my bicep and I gaze down at them, wishing I could brush my thumb over each of her knuckles. “I’ll just tell you.”
I hold my breath, preparing myself for the sweetly worded rejection.
“You didn’t give me a chance to explain yesterday. The reason I said I wasn’t sure is because I didn’t know how I could make it work. My dad’s really strict about guys, and my mom’s a little paranoid after Maddie got beat up. They’ve even said I can’t help at St. Michael’s anymore, which totally sucks.”
I glance at her sad expression but can’t think of anything to say to make her feel better.
“The truth is, I want to go out with you, even if it means sneaking around behind my parents’ backs.” She winces. “I know that sounds bad, but I just don’t think they’ll understand. Which sucks, and I’m sorry. I’m sorry they’ve already made up their minds about you. I wish I could help them understand, but I’m worried if I even mention that I like you, they’ll freak out.”
She likes me?
I can’t breathe.
“I’m sorry. I hope you’re not offended.”
“I’m not,” I croak. “I’m used to it.”
Her smile is filled with empathy as she squeezes my arm.
I cover her hand with mine and her smile grows a little wider.
“Anyway, I was just trying to figure out how I can make this work and so I told my friend. Rahn knows everything now, and she’s going to cover for me.”
“So, you…you want to go out with me?”
“Of course I do.” She giggles like I’m being silly for ever doubting it. “You just took me by surprise yesterday. I didn’t think you’d want to…” She shakes her head, looking embarrassed. “I don’t know. I guess I’m still trying to work you out.”
I snicker, wishing I had something intelligent to say, but I’m kind of reeling here. Chloe likes me. She wants to go out with me.
“So, unless you have a plan already, I’d love it if you could take me to the fair in Brazenwood. Apparently it runs over Spring Break, and since that starts after school tomorrow, I figured maybe we could check it out.”
“The fair,” I murmur.
“Yeah, have you ever been to one?” Chloe runs her finger down her face, capturing a stray hair that’s stuck to her lip gloss.
My lips twitch with a smile. “Yeah, I’ve been to one.”
“It’s a pretty good first date location, don’t you think?”
First date. Holy shit. Those words sound so sweet coming from her. It makes me realize that I’ve never really been on a first date. I hook up at parties and clubs. I go where Enzo tells me to. I don’t do romantic dates.
But taking Chloe to the fair…
“Yeah, it’s perfect.” I grin.
“Wow.” She giggles. “You have a great smile. You should show it off sometime. It’d shock the hell out of people.”
I snicker and raise my eyebrows at her teasing wink.
The bell rings, breaking up our awesome little moment.
“So, do you have a phone I can text you on? We can set up a time.”
I cringe and run a hand through my hair. “I don’t do phones.”
“Really?” Her face buckles with confusion. “Why not?”
“I don’t like people being able to get in touch with me.”
“Okay.” She nods, obviously finding it weird but nice enough not to say it. “So…”
“So, meet me at that park two blocks from school. You know the one with the blue slide?”
“I do. What time? What day?”
“Uh…Monday. Six o’clock.”
“I’ll be there.” Her glossy lips pull into a smile that melts my insides.
She’s so freaking beautiful.
I can’t say anything as she brushes past me and makes her way to class. Leaning my head back against the wall, I gaze up at the ceiling in awe.
I’m going on a date with Chloe Barlow.
The smile on my face feels wide and foreign, but I just can’t stop it.
I’m going on a date with Chloe Barlow!
11
Figuring It Out
CHLOE
I c
heck my appearance in the full-length mirror Dad hung on the back of my door.
Turning to my side, I study my profile and hope I look okay.
I’ve kept it simple with a black skater skirt and a white off-the-shoulder top that tucks into it. The sleeves finish at my elbow. I’ve paired the ensemble with my white Converse and my gold hoop earrings. I might take my short leather jacket too, in case it gets cold.
Trying it on, I assess whether I’ve killed the outfit with too much black. Maybe I should go for my denim jacket instead.
I switch it out and then decide that maybe I should go for the pink hoodie I always wear.
Crap, just make a decision, Chloe!
I can’t believe how nervous I am. I’ve been so excited about tonight…until I started getting ready to leave. Rahn texted me, asking for photos of my outfit choice, and that’s what set off the storm of butterflies. They’ve been fluttering in my belly all afternoon.
Grabbing my phone, I snap a quick selfie and ask for Rahn’s opinion.
She responds within seconds.
Love it! Sweet but hot. Casual but classy. You’ve hit the balance perfectly xxx
I bite my lip and check my appearance once more before reaching for my lip gloss. I’m not a huge makeup wearer, but I love having shiny lips.
I’m just dabbing a little extra gloss on when Max knocks on my door. “Can I come in?”
“Sure,” I squeak, ordering my nerves to calm down already!
“Wow, you look pretty.” Max points at my outfit. “I thought you were just kickin’ it with Rahn tonight.”
“I am.” I screw the lip gloss stick into the tube. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t look nice when I’m doing it.”
“True.” Max raises her eyebrows before crossing her arms to study me.
“Do you need something?” I keep my eyes as wide and innocent as possible.
“Uh…yeah, I was going to ask if I could borrow your leather jacket.”
“Sure.” I grab it off my bed and hold it out to her. “Where are you going?”
Max’s mouth curves up on the left side. “Where are you going?”
I pause and we eye each other for a second, like we’re waiting for the other to break.
“I’m going out with Rahn,” I repeat.
My sister snickers. “Do you want me to drop you at her place?”
“Um…no, I can… I’ll walk.”
“Okay, liar, liar.” Max starts putting my jacket on.
“Like you can talk.” I laugh and cross my arms. Not that I really have time to do this right now, but I am not the only liar in this room.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She frowns.
“Two words.” I hold up my fingers. “Cairo Hale.”
Max’s eyes bulge and she looks over her shoulder before shutting the door and whispering. “How did you hear about that? Did Maddie tell you about Saturday night?”
“No.” My eyebrows dip. “What happened on Saturday? I thought you were at Zane’s house playing PS4.”
“That’s what I wanted everyone to think.”
“Where were you really?”
She gives me a sheepish grin. “Holden and Mads took me to this club in Cullington.”
“So you could meet up with Cairo. I knew there was something going on between you guys. I saw you kissing outside the music room last week. Why didn’t you tell me?”
She blanches and shoves her hands into her pockets. “The music room? What were you doing down there?”
I deflect her question by repeating mine. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
She gives me a pained frown. “Because I didn’t want you to feel like the only single girl in the family. You went on about how grateful you were that I didn’t have a boyfriend.”
It’s impossible not to smile. That was kind of sweet and thoughtful.
I have to fight the urge to tell her about Vincent.
But I don’t think she’s ready. Sneaking around with Cairo is SO different than sneaking off with Vincent Mancini.
“So, is he your boyfriend?”
She nods, her grin growing into a thousand-watt smile.
I giggle. Wow! Max has a boyfriend. I honestly thought it might never happen for her in high school.
I jump across the room and wrap my arms around her shoulders. “You are too cute. So happy for you, sis.”
“Thanks.” She squeezes me, then steps back. “Sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“No worries.” I brush my hand through the air, not wanting her to feel bad. Right now I kind of need to keep my own secrets, so I’m glad I don’t owe her any. Glancing at my watch, I move to the door but stop when Max asks me the weirdest question.
“Hey, sis, you’re not doing anything illegal tonight, are you?”
“What?” I spin around with a surprised laugh. “No! Of course not.”
“Then why won’t you tell me where you’re going? Why lie?”
Resting my hand on the frame, I glance at my nails, which I painted pink this afternoon, before looking at my sister. “It’s just one of those situations where Mom and Dad will never get it, and the less people who know, the better.”
Max nods like she totally understands what I mean. “Got it. I won’t ask again.”
“I’ll tell you eventually. I’m just figuring it out right now.”
“Totally get it.” Max raises her eyebrows. “Just be safe, okay?”
“I will be,” I assure her, believing it with every fiber of my being.
I’ll be with Vincent. There’s no safer place than that.
12
A First First-Date
VINCENT
I hover by the slide, pacing from the ladder to the circle of sand the children land in.
I can’t believe how freaking nervous I am.
This feels like my first date…ever.
I guess it kind of is.
Smoothing a hand through my hair, I glance over my shoulder and stop short when I see a vision walking toward me.
Her blonde hair cascades over her shoulders like a golden waterfall. The breeze catches a few strands, making them dance as she waves and smiles at me.
I step forward, meeting her on the edge of the grass. I wish I had something smooth to say, but all I can do is gaze at her, from the top of her head to those white sneakers on her feet.
“You look really pretty,” I manage.
“Thank you.” She tweaks her jacket sleeve and tucks a lock of hair behind her ear.
Maybe I’m not the only nervous one.
That thought relieves me in a weird way, and I pull in a full breath before pointing to my car. “Shall we go?”
“Yes, please.” She tucks her hand through the crook of my arm and then starts talking like I’m her best buddy, telling me about her morning and how she slept late because Sunday night she went out with her Uncle Conrad and they did back-to-back movies.
“We got home at like one and I’m so not great with late nights. I’m a big sleeper. There’s nothing better than snuggling up in bed and drifting into dreamland. I love falling asleep while reading. That’s the best.”
She’s talking faster than usual and it makes my heart squeeze with affection.
We reach my car and I open the door for her, feeling like a gentleman for the first time in my life.
“Thank you.” She slips in and I wait for her to notice.
It doesn’t take long.
I watch her face light with a smile as she picks up the box of Raisinets I bought on my way here.
As I get into the car, she gives them a shake and starts laughing. “You are so sweet. Do you want some?”
“Are you sure you want to share?” I fire up the engine while she giggles some more.
That’s seriously a sound I will never get sick of.
“I’ll break my own rules. You know, just this once.” She winks and I hold out my hand for a few.
We head out of town, munching happily. Chloe talks most of the way.
She’s pretty damn easy to listen to.
As we reach the town limits and I turn toward Brazenwood, she finally takes a breath and says, “Man, I’ve spent this whole time talking and haven’t asked you one question. I’m sorry. I guess I’m nervous, not because of you…just because of…you.” She snickers and shakes her head. “That doesn’t even make sense.”
“I get it.” I smile at her and look back to the road. “I’m nervous too. I just want this night to be perfect.”
“Me too. But what a huge expectation. No wonder we’re nervous. You know what, we need to just switch off and talk like we’re writing to each other. We don’t need to have all this first-date pressure. Let’s just hang out like we’ve been doing for the last week or so.”
I nod. “Good idea.”
“Okay, so questions I have yet to ask you.”
“Uh-oh.”
Chloe laughs. “No, they’re easy ones, I promise.”
“Okay. Shoot.”
“And you have to say the first thing that pops into your head.”
“Am I allowed to ask you the same stuff afterward?”
“Totally!” Her eyes are so bright and beautiful. “Okay, so first one is…favorite color.”
“Orange,” I say, then wrinkle my forehead. Was that seriously the first color that popped into my head?
“I like orange too. It’s such a happy color.”
“I like orange juice.” I shrug.
She giggles and fires another one at me. By the time we reach Brazenwood, I know her favorite authors are Simone Elkeles, Rainbow Rowell, and Abbi Glines…whoever the hell they are.
She couldn’t pick just one book—that was impossible—so she just rattled off author names and we decided the first three that came to mind must be the winners. She’s a sucker for romantic movies, loves any genre as long as there’s a love story involved. Her favorite sandwich is chicken salad, and she’ll basically eat any dessert, unless it’s rice pudding.
I answer every one of the questions she throws at me, because they’re all light and easy. Most of them can be answered in one or two words, although she takes more like twenty to thirty for her answers. I don’t mind. I could head east all the way to North Carolina listening to her talk. We haven’t even reached the fair yet and I already feel like I’ve had the best date I’m ever going to have in my life.