One of the Guys

by A. R. Perry

  Even though I know he will rub in the fact that he was right, I push the call button. He picks up on the first ring.

  “Can you come get me?” I ask before he speaks.

  “I’ll be right there.”

  I find Rylee pacing between two cars. She keeps tapping her phone on her palm and glancing behind her to the faint glow of the bonfire.

  If Jax did anything to her…

  Her attention snaps toward me when the headlights from my car flash in her direction. There isn’t a moment’s hesitation before she’s jogging to where I park where the trees give way to an open field.

  “Sorry if I woke you,” she says the second the door is open. “Didn’t want to call Will because I would never hear the end of it.”

  “What happened?” I ask when her butt hits the seat.

  “Tell you on the drive. We’re cutting close to curfew.”

  Nodding, I pull out on the darkened street, but I can’t stem the worry that something bad happened. When Zoe told me about the stupid party yesterday morning, I knew nothing good would come of it.

  Hookup party. That’s what Zoe called it. No wonder Jax invited her.

  After reaching the main road I shoot a glance at Rylee who was busy twisting one of the silver bracelets on her arm around and around. The silence is oppressive. Suffocating. I can’t take it anymore.

  “What happened?”

  “I don’t…know.”

  What? “Something obviously happened because you called me to pick you up instead of having lover-boy take you home.”

  She glares at me and after a deep breath, pivots in the seat, tucking one leg under so she can face me. “Let’s just say it was the weirdest party I’ve ever been to.”

  I swear if she doesn’t explain I’m going to flip out.

  “It started off fine. We showed up. People drank. Malcolm doesn’t like me but that’s whatever. But then Jax got super handsy, much to Haylee’s irritation.” She flicks a curl over her shoulder and reaches out to fiddle with the temperature knob. “What’s up with that, anyway? They break up and hook up more than people in soaps. It’s as if she considers him as property. I’m surprised she didn’t pee on his leg so—”

  “Rylee!” I grip the wheel so hard the leather flexes. “What made you call me?”

  “Right.” She slumps into the seat, resting her head on the window. “So he gets all handsy and I freak out because hello, I’ve had one boyfriend and I’m not much into PDA. So I bail and say I gotta pee and this dude points to a tree.” She catches my raised eyebrow. “Yeah. He expected me to pop a squat. Thankfully I didn’t actually have to go. So I take a breather and when I come back everyone is grinding and sucking face and I see Ava going to town on his crotch. So I called you.”

  “He brought you and hooked up with another girl?”

  “Well, I didn’t stay long enough to witness the act, but yeah, I’m assuming.”

  “You seem very chill about this.”

  She shrugs and reaches to undo the straps on her shoes. “We’re not official. Technically he can do whatever he wants.”

  This girl…

  “So you’re totally fine?”

  “Better her than me. I’ve never been into the whole voyeur thing. Getting it on in the middle of the field isn’t really my style.”

  “So what now? Are you still going to see him?”

  She huffs a laugh. “First, he would have to talk to me again. I came with him, then bailed without a word. Again.”

  Warmth fills my chest in calming waves. She bailed on her date with a guy she’s had a crush on for years and the first person she thought of was me. Of course, I would prefer her not dating anyone but me, but beggars can’t be choosers.

  “You think he’ll notice you left?”

  Her fist collides with my shoulder making me swerve over into the left lane. “Dick.”

  “I’m just saying. Has he even texted you?”

  She flips her phone in her hand and lets it land face down in her lap. “No.”

  “So are you ready to call quits on this whole make Jax plan?”

  “I don’t think I’ll have a ch—” Her phone rings in her hands, filling the small space with an annoying pop song. “It’s him!” She holds up the phone up to my face. “Shh! Hello?”

  I try to remain calm. Him calling means nothing. He could be calling to chew her out for ditching him. He could be calling to say he never wants to see her again because he’s scum who only wants in her pants.

  She giggles.

  My heart plummets to my freaking knees.

  “No. Don’t worry about it. My mom is strict and when she says jump, I do it.”

  Her laughter fills the cab again and I’ve never wanted to run into a wall headfirst before, but I’m certain it would feel better than sitting here listening to a one-sided conversation that has her giggling like a crazy person.

  “Okay. Yeah. Text me tomorrow.” She hangs up and pumps her fist into the air. “He didn’t hook up with Ava and has been looking for me for the past fifteen minutes.” She hugs her phone to her chest and sighs. “Said he was afraid a mountain lion got me.”

  “Great.” I stretch my neck to the side and try not to give in to the urge to drive right into the lake.

  “He wants to take me to dinner tomorrow. Just us. No party pop-ups.”

  “So…your plan is back on?”

  “Duh. Did you hear me? He didn’t screw around with Ava. If he had, I would seriously reconsider, but he didn’t so I can continue on with the next step in my plan since he obviously already noticed me.”

  “And what’s that?” Even I can hear the anger in my voice so Rylee must be on another planet of happiness because she just smiles.

  “Make him fall for me and score an invite to senior prom.”

  “Prom? Didn’t you say it was for suckers who need constant attention and praise?”

  “No, you did, I agreed with you. At the time.” She’s back to glaring at me. I don’t see it because I’m keeping my eyes forward, but I can feel it. “Can’t you be happy for me?”

  “Do you want party poppers?” I pull off the freeway, thankful to be masked in darkness as I leave behind the ever-present lights lining the road.

  “No, but some helpful advice would be nice. As you so sweetly mentioned, I’ve had one boyfriend that lasted a fraction of a second. We never even went on an actual date. You however have.” She pokes me in the side and groans. “I don’t want to bomb this.”

  “Then don’t go,” I mumble, which earns me another punch on the arm. This is pure torture. “Fine. Be interested in what he says but not overly interested. If he talks sports, go with it but don’t let him know your knowledge is on par with his. He seems like the kind of douche who could be easily intimidated by a girl knowing or doing something better than him.”

  I glance her way to see her chewing on her lower lip in contemplation. “So, don’t be how I am with you.” She blows a strand of hair out of her face. “I can do that.”

  “But you shouldn’t have to.” I throw up my hands as I park in my driveway. “Just felt like it needed repeating. No need to hit me again.”

  She scoops up her shoes from the floor. “Thanks, runt.” She boops me on the nose, giggling at my old nickname. One she used all the time when I was smaller than her. “I’ll tell you how it goes.”

  “Can’t wait,” I grumble as she shuts the door.

  How did I get here again? Oh, right, I’m stupidly head over heels for my best friend who wouldn’t notice even if I waved around a giant flashing sign. And because of that, I’ve been lured into being her teacher, all so another guy, who doesn’t deserve her, can use her until he gets bored. His motives are crystal clear to everyone, but her.

  The freaking cherry on this crap sundae is being ditched for that turd after promising tomorrow to me.

  Rubbing my eyes, I make my way to the front door, only noticing my dad’s car parked next to my mom’s as I’m twisting the knob.
>
  As if tonight couldn’t get any worse…

  Muffled words float to me as I click the door shut as quietly as possible. The last thing I need is some parental lecture about being out past curfew. For two people who have been so caught up in their own drama for the past month, they sure know how to jump in and try to parent when they want to.

  I skirt around the corner, taking the long way through the kitchen hoping I can sneak up the stairs without them seeing me. Or, at the very least, play it off as if I were grabbing a snack. As proof, I snag an apple on the way.

  So far so good. I press my back into the wall and peek around the corner. My mom is sitting on the couch, one leg tucked under her and facing my dad who throws his hands up in exasperation. He’s mastered that move after all the fights they’ve been having.

  I’m about to make my move and bolt up the stairs when my mother’s words reach me.

  “We promised we would wait until summer.”

  My heart jolts in my chest knocking all the air from my lungs and halting my movement.

  “It’s not fair to make him start a new school with a few months left in the year.”

  “And it’s not fair to hover in limbo,” my dad snaps back. “I’m paying a mortgage here and I’d like to move on with my life. We sell the house and you can move back home and I can buy my own place. I’m wasting money at the hotel.”

  “Then rent an apartment. We have his grades to consider. I’d like him to get into a good college and do something with his life, unlike me.”

  “Oh, your life is so bad. The moment you found out you were pregnant, I stepped up. I paid for rent. I made sure we lived in a great neighborhood. You could have gone back to college when he started school, but you were complacent. So don’t come at me with your jabs.”

  My foot hits the bottom stair, the same stupid creaky one I learned to avoid when I was thirteen and prone to sneaking out. Both sets of eyes swing my way. My mother’s widen in shock and as for my father, he simply scowls.

  “Spencer.” My mom stands, flattening down the front of her blouse. “I thought you were in bed.”

  “Got hungry.” I wave the apple in the air as proof, feeling about as numb as the moment they told me about the divorce.

  They want me to move now…even after our talk. This is Dad’s doing. We’ve never had the perfect father-son relationship. As I got older, I figure out it was because he thinks I ruined his life. I guess having a kid at eighteen can do that, but shit, not as if I had any say in the matter.

  “Oh, well, your father and I were just—”

  “Discussing how you plan to uproot me midyear,” I cut her off, squeezing the damn apple so hard my hand aches.

  “No. Of course not.”

  “I heard you.” I swing my accusatory glare toward my father. “Do you hate me so much that you can’t give a little?”

  To his credit, the scowl lessens, morphing into his normal everyday glare. The same one I wear.

  “This isn’t about you,” he snaps and stands.

  “Yes. Yes, it is. Every single decision you guys make right now affects me. And guess what? I’m over it. Get your shit together because I’m not moving midyear. If you want to go at each other have at it, but leave me out of it.” I stomp up the stairs, trying not to revel in the shocked expression on both of my parents’ faces.

  This is the first time I have ever fallen short of being their perfect son. And it felt good. The slamming of my door rocks the photos on the wall. Photos of Rylee and me through the different phases in our lives including one misstep where I thought I was emo.

  That lasted a week.

  I fling myself onto my mattress and stare up at the ceiling. Mom won’t say anything tonight, not with Dad here. But I’m sure I’ll hear about it tomorrow.

  That is if I’m home…

  I dig my phone out of my pocket and shoot Zoe a quick text. She’s been practically begging to go on a real date this week. It’s time I let loose and just have fun. If my time here is even shorter than I planned for and my best friend is so wrapped up in winning over some douche, I might as well use every moment I have to the fullest.

  Starting with taking a hot chick on a date.

  To my surprise, Jax is on time.

  I had been banking on him being late what with the whole half an hour I waited on the porch yesterday. That’s what left me behind schedule and what gave Mom the opportunity to answer the door.

  Not ideal.

  Even more surprising is the red rose he hands me as he flashes a megawatt smile at my mom that leaves her giggling and cooing over how great we look together.

  Yeah. I got him out of there as fast as possible. Didn’t even finish curling my hair. Guess that’s what bobby pins are for.

  I did, however, have time to notice Spencer’s car missing from the driveway. Both of his parents’ cars were there though.

  “What are you in the mood for?” Jax asks as he speeds on the freeway.

  Burger. Fries. Steak. “Whatever you want.”

  “Really?” He shoots me an incredulous look. “Most girls I date are all about salads. They wouldn’t dare let me pick the place for fear of being stuck with something greasy.”

  Crap. Five minutes in and I’m already failing.

  He must sense my panic because his face lights with an easy grin. “I like it. What about Yard House?”

  I shrug. I think I’ve passed it a few times but never been. Spencer and I are into the whole fast and greasy thing. Easy-peasy.

  My nose wrinkles when I realize my thoughts bounced to Spencer and aren’t focused on the gorgeous god sitting a foot from me.

  “Yeah. Sounds good.”

  “They have lettuce wraps if you’re not into the salad thing.”

  My smile is tight and a bit too enthusiastic. Is he going to flip when he realizes I can eat him under the table? Then again, showing my true colors comes after him falling head over heels for me so maybe he will think it’s adorable.

  Spencer sure did when he bet he could polish off more wings at Bdubs when they still had their wing night. I might have been groaning from pain after finishing forty-two and had sauce smeared all over my face, but he just wrapped me in a tight hug that almost made me puke and told me dinner was on him for the next month.

  Twisting my lips to the side, I focus on the blurry scenery outside. There goes Spencer popping into my head again. He’s my best friend. Of course he thinks all my weird and gross behavior is funny.

  “What do you think?”

  My head whips toward Jax. He was talking and I zoned out. Now how do I play this? If it were Spencer, I would just admit that I was ignoring him and we would both laugh. I get the feeling Jax won’t react the same.

  Do I agree?

  Crap. I haven’t said anything for a long time.

  I can’t ask now.

  It’s been like five minutes since I spoke.

  Agree. Go with agree.

  “Yes.”

  “You think your parents will be okay with that?”

  Uhhh… “Sure?” I wince when I hear the hesitation in my voice.

  “I should invite Will, but I don’t think he would appreciate me all over you once I catch sight of you in a bikini.”

  All the blood drains from my face. What the hell did I agree to and why on earth does Jax think I would ever be in a bikini in front of him?

  No need to mention I bought one and it’s been shoved in the back of my closet ever since.

  “Where at?” Innocuous. Unless he mentioned it already.

  “Lake Tahoe. It’s my grandparents’ lake house but they haven’t been up there in years. Will be nice to use it before I ship off to Oregon.”

  He wants me to go to a lake house? Yeah, my parents will not be okay with that. The only people besides family I’m allowed to travel with is Spencer’s family. And alone with Spencer on rare occasions.

  It’s okay. Perfectly okay. I’ll just tell him at a later date I got grounded or something.
Better yet, that my dad won’t have his little girl off with boys. Which is the truth.

  But will it turn him off dating me?

  “Ready?”

  I blink a few times, taking in the restaurant in front of us. Good lord, if I keep zoning out he’s going to think I’m on something.

  “Yeah. Starving. Let’s go get some of this delish food you mentioned.” I hop out of his car, bouncing on the balls of my feet and mentally kick myself for sounding spazzy.

  Either Jax is used to this type of behavior, or he doesn’t care because he drapes an arm over my shoulders and leads me to the front door.

  By the time we step out of the heat and into glorious air-conditioning, my heart rate has settled down and I’m certain I can make it through this date with no more idiotic slips.

  “Hi there.” A gorgeous redhead greets us. Well, greets Jax. Her eyes haven’t once moved from his face since walking up to the podium. I never knew what undressing someone with eyes meant until this exact moment.

  “Two.” Jax flashes that grin of his and I swear the entire restaurant hears her swoon.

  Hop in line, chick.

  She picks up two menus and leads us toward the back of the restaurant. With her eyes on Jax the whole time I’m amazed she doesn’t run into anything. It would have made for a comical sight.

  Alas, we drive at our booth with no face-plants.

  Miss Flirt leans over the table, placing the menus in front of Jax while also giving him a flash of her cleavage. To my disappointment, he sneaks a peak—okay, ogles—before meeting her lusty gaze and winking.

  Ugh. Gag me.

  Once we’re alone, he slides me a menu acting as if that didn’t just happen. Is this how all guys act? Am I supposed to ignore it? I don’t remember John, my one and only boyfriend ever, acting this way. Then again, we were fourteen so…

  Not wanting to appear extra clingy on our first real date, I ignore it, turning my attention to the menu and all its yummy food.

  My gaze stops on the street tacos and I almost let out a whine. Tacos are my favorite, but with all the spices, and I don’t want to risk bad breath. Nothing will ruin the chance of a second date quite like stank breath before a kiss. At least, that’s what Ryan says. Since he’s the king of making out, I take the advice at face value.