Shorty glanced from Dad over to me. I could see the frustration in his eyes. But, he just nodded, dumped the water table items on the cart, and wheeled it into the school.
I turned to Rebecca with my lips parted. I couldn’t believe that Dad had actually agreed to this. “I’ll grab my stuff from my locker and meet you at your car.”
Chapter Twelve
I stood on the sidewalk waiting for Rebecca to pull up. It didn’t take long for her beat-up Malibu to come sputtering around the corner and park next to the curb.
I opened the side door and got inside. Once I was buckled in, she drove off.
“Where’s this party?”
She glanced over at me. “At Brutus’s house.”
I stared at her. “What? Why is there a girl-only party at Brutus’s house?”
She gave me a sideways look, and realization passed over me. “Oh. You lied,” I said.
She shrugged and merged onto the main road. “Sue me.”
“I’m just impressed, that’s all.”
“Come on, Des. Don’t make me feel bad about this. Your dad is crazy overprotective. You should be able to experience the high school life.”
I stared at her like she had two heads. “Um, who are you, and what did you do with my best friend.”
Her cheeks turned red as she studied the road. “What are you talking about? I’m the same.”
There was a change in her voice that told me she was lying to me too. “Okay, you need to spill. What’s going on?”
She sighed as she settled back in her seat. “Remember how I asked you about Colten?” Her gaze slipped over to me before she moved it back to the road.
“Yeah,” I said, drawing out the word.
“Well, I might have met him at the Jordan carnival last night.” She pinched her lips.
“And?” I prodded.
“And we may have kissed.”
There were no words. “You kissed Colten?” How could my straight-A, church-going, perfect best friend get caught up with the school delinquent.
But, from the elated expression on her face, I could tell that she was happy. Who was I to judge? So I grinned. “That’s great, Bec. I’m happy for you.”
She sighed. It sounded relaxed. “He said he might come to the party tonight. Bringing you was a little selfish on my part. I kind of needed a wing woman.”
“Sounds like you’re landing a guy no problem,” I said, glancing out the window. What I would give to be her right now. A guy liked her. And she liked him back. It seemed so simple.
She giggled. It was high-pitched. “I am not landing, Colten.”
“You kissed, Bec. Guys don’t normally do that with girls they don’t like.” Except for me. Apparently, guys kiss me and then ask me to forget it. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Tyson will be there.”
My stomach turned. Why hadn’t I realized that? I shook my head. I hadn’t thought about it because my best friend had lied and said this was a girl-only party. And Tyson was most certainly not a girl.
“Yeah, I’m not sure I want that.” The memory of our awkward conversation before the game came flooding back. Sure, we left things on a positive note, but that didn’t mean I wanted to see him. And definitely not when I was in my sweaty clothes.
“What? Come on, you’ll be fine.”
I scoffed. “Bec, look at me. I’m not in party attire. And I definitely don’t want Tyson to see me all sweaty.”
She eyed me and then flipped on her blinker. “Come on, you can shower and change at my house, and then we’ll head over.”
“Bec—”
“It’ll be fun. Besides, we don’t want to be the first people there.”
I pinched my lips together. There was no way I was going to talk her out of this, so I settled back in my seat. If I was going to be forced to go to this party, I might as well look good.
The parking at Brutus’s house was crazy. Rebecca had to park two streets away, and then we had to walk. What would have been no problem in my Converses felt like a marathon in the heels Rebecca had insisted I wear with the red dress she’d loaned me.
I sighed as I pulled at the A-line skirt that flowed around my legs. I felt like an imposter. This whole outfit wasn’t me. I was flats and calf-length skirts. This dress hit just above my knee and made me uncomfortable. I was never listening to Rebecca again.
We walked up the driveway—past the seniors pressed against a nearby car, making out—and I shot Rebecca a look. She shrugged as she gave me a hopeful smile. “Come on, Des. This will be fun.”
I’d heard “Come on, Des” so much tonight that I was starting to think it was my full name. I sighed and nodded. I needed to stop complaining and just focus on the task at hand. Get Colten to notice Rebecca. Having a job to do calmed me down and focused my attention.
“Okay, I promise, no more complaining. Let’s find Colten so we can get out of here.”
She wrapped an arm around my shoulders and squeezed me. “That’s the friend I know and love.”
I shot her a look. “You owe me.”
“Got it.”
We walked through the open door, and music blared from the speakers. People were standing every few feet, talking in clusters of sweaty, flirty bodies. As I walked past a particularly inebriated group, one stepped back and landed on my foot.
I yelped and smacked his shoulder. When it became apparent that he wasn’t going notice me, I shoved him, and he toppled forward into the crowd around him.
Worried for my safety, I left Rebecca, who was doing some recon with other groups, and made my way out the back door and onto the deck. There was more space out here. Some people were in the pool—fully clothed—others were sitting on the deck furniture or making out next to trees.
I shivered as I thought about the amount of germs that were being swapped. Suddenly, I didn’t feel so upset that Dad forbade me from coming to parties. It was just a giant hook-up place. I shook my head. Not for me.
I glanced around, hoping I’d be able to spot someone to talk to. Rebecca must have found Colten ‘cause she didn’t text to ask me where I’d wandered off to. At least my best friend was having a good time.
As I scanned the other side of the pool, my gaze landed on Tyson. He was standing in a circle with other football players, laughing. He looked so at home. What a stark contrast to me. This was not where I belonged.
His gaze found its way over to me. Embarrassed, I dropped my eyes and focused on the wood slats of the deck. Did he notice me? Would he come over?
Thoughts burned in my mind as I tried to calm down. He was in his element. I doubted that the captain of the football team would break from his group to talk to me. I was a closet-and-behind-the-stadium friend. And I was okay with that. I didn’t want Dad to find out we’d ever spoken. Right?
“You came.”
Tyson’s smooth, playful voice filled the air around me. Had he said that to me? I took a deep breath—preparing myself for disappointment—and glanced up.
Up at Tyson’s smile as he studied me.
Yep. He’d been talking to me. He’d actually broken off from his friends and come over to me. Me.
As much as I tried to push down my excitement, I couldn’t help it. I was on cloud nine.
“Yep,” I said, shrugging as if this wasn’t some miracle.
“Wow. Your dad let you?”
I chewed my lip. Should I rat Rebecca out? Well, she was living fast and loose, hanging with the bad boy of the school. So I shrugged. “Bec told him it was a girl-only party.”
Tyson nodded. “Nice. I have a little more respect for Rebecca now.” His gaze slipped down to my lips and I wondered if he was thinking about our closet encounter or if I had something on my face.
It probably wasn’t the kiss, so I tried to nonchalantly bring up my hand and rub my mouth. “So, you’re here.”
He laughed and glanced around. “Yeah. Got a sitter for Cori. She was asleep anyway.” His expression turned ser
ious as he glanced down at me.
My heart soared from the fact that he felt comfortable enough to tell me about her. “That’s sweet. You’re a good brother.”
He shoved his hands into his front pockets. “She’s a cutie. It’s hard not to want to take care of her.”
I nodded. “It’s true,” I muttered under my breath before I realized what I’d just said.
He leaned forward as if he were trying to catch my words. “What? What’s true?”
I turned slightly, not wanting to answer that question. “Nothing.”
He reached out, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me closer. It was a totally innocent and flirty move, but it sent my heart racing and memories rushing back to me. The feeling his lips on mine. The heat of his skin against me.
When I glanced up at him, I saw that his expression had grown serious. He’d felt something too.
He dropped his arm and stepped away. “Sorry. Um, I didn’t mean to do that.”
I laughed, hoping it sounded natural and not forced like it felt. “It’s fine.” Why did he keep saying that? I didn’t mean to. Why did touching me always have to end in an apology? It was hard to admit, but it hurt.
“It’s okay,” I said, straightening out my skirt.
He pushed his hands through his hair. “Can I get you a drink?”
I felt so parched, I was a second away from jumping into the pool. “Sure.”
He nodded and started to walk off before he turned. “Anything in particular?”
I shook my head. “Just no alcohol.”
“Yeah. I stay away from that stuff, too.”
Of course he did. With his mom, I didn’t blame him.
It didn’t take him long to return with two water bottles. He handed one over to me, and I took it. After drinking half the bottle, I glanced over at him. He had a smile on his lips.
“What?”
“You were thirsty.”
“It’s from standing in the sun, selling all that team spirit at the game.” I pointed my finger at him and jabbed his chest.
He winced and reached up, catching my fingers. When he realized it, he dropped my hand and parted his lips.
“Don’t,” I said.
He glanced at me. “Don’t?”
“Stop apologizing for touching me. It’s making me feel like you’re a kid in a china store. I won’t break.” I met his gaze with all the force I could muster.
He laughed and raised his hands. “Wow. Tiny, you’re more forceful than I imagined.” He leaned forward until he was inches from my ear. “Is it wrong if I say I like it?”
Shivers raced through my back and exploded throughout my body. Realizing he needed an answer, I shook my head. “It’s always okay to tell a girl that she’s strong and independent.”
He pulled back to stare down at me. “And that’s you.” His gaze turned serious as his expression softened.
“Thanks.”
The DJ changed the song to a slow ballad. Kids around us stopped talking and glommed onto each other like they were life rafts in the ocean. When I glanced up at Tyson, he had an expectant look. That was when I realized that his arms were outstretched.
“Dance with me?”
I chewed my lip. If we danced, people would know. It was possible that it would get back to Dad. But I didn’t care. I wanted Tyson to hold me close, more than I wanted anything else in the world.
So I pushed out all my fears and nodded.
His arm slipped around my waist, and I lifted my hand and nestled it in his outstretched one. I wondered at how small mine looked next to his.
We just swayed back and forth, but I loved every minutes of it. It felt right. When he parted his lips, I shook my head.
“Please don’t apologize for touching me. You promised.”
He chuckled. It was quiet and surrounded me like a soft blanket. “I wasn’t going to apologize.” His expression turned sheepish. “I guess I just felt selfish for touching you. And I didn’t want to hurt you.”
I met his gaze. “Hurt me? How could you hurt me?”
“Um.” He glanced behind me as if he were fighting with what to say. “Because you’re sweet and genuine. And I’m a mess.”
“Well, you obviously have never seen me hungry.” I raised my eyebrows.
“Oh really? That bad, huh?”
“Let’s just say, those hangry commercials? I inspired those.”
He nodded. “Good to know. Keep Tiny fed at all times. Got it.”
I laughed. “That should be rule number one.”
He shook his head. “Nope, can’t be that. Rule number one is don’t date Tiny.” He leaned closer until he was inches from my ear. “But I’m kind of breaking that right now, aren’t I?”
Warmth cascaded over me. Dating? Was that the rule he was breaking?
He pulled back and studied me, as if he were waiting to see my reaction. Not sure what to do, I just laughed.
“Yeah, my dad. He’s crazy.”
“I’m slowly understanding why he wanted to keep you protected.” Tyson pulled me closer. “You’re special.”
I wrinkled my nose. “So we’ll make ‘keep Tiny fed at all times’ rule number two.” I needed to change the subject before things got too serious.
He nodded. “Okay. Rule number two. I like it.”
Before either of us could say anything, his phone rang. He dropped my hand and reached behind him to pull it from his back pocket. I glanced up, and his expression changed to one of worry.
“You okay?”
He shook his head. “I have to go. It’s the babysitter. Cori’s not feeling well.”
I dropped my hands and nodded. “Yeah, okay. I understand.”
He started to walk away but then paused. “You want to come?”
My eyes widened. “To your house?”
“Yeah.”
Before I allowed myself to think it over, I nodded. “Of course.”
Chapter Thirteen
It took the entire ride to Tyson’s house for me to finally gather my wits about me. I still couldn’t believe that I was alone with Tyson and that I was going to go into his house. I let out the breath I hadn’t known I’d been holding as he pulled into his drive.
He glanced over at me and smiled. “Relax. Cori’s going to love you.”
I tried to laugh, but it came out more forced than anything. “I’m not nervous.”
He raised his eyebrows. He didn’t believe me—It was written all over his face.
So I nodded. “Okay, maybe a little.”
He shot me another smile as he pulled his door handle and got out. I followed after him as he walked across his yard and up to the door. He headed inside, and I hesitated on the stoop. He glanced back at me.
“Come on, she won’t bite.”
I could hear cartoons playing in the background. A blue light glowed in the room to the left. I nodded and stepped inside.
Tyson slipped off his shoes and threw his keys in a bowl that sat on a small table in the corner.
“I’m here,” he said as he made his way into the living room.
I bent down, slipping out of Rebecca’s shoes and setting them next to Tyson’s.
A squeal sounded from the other room, and a little girl with curly blonde hair jumped up from the couch. “Ty!” she screamed as she bounced a few times and jumped straight into his arms.
He pretended that she weighed a ton, bringing her close to the ground, then he pulled her back up and threw her into the air.
There was a moan from the couch as his mom’s head appeared. “Keep her quiet, Tyson.”
“When did Anna leave?” he asked. I could see the frustration written all over his face.
“Ten minutes ago.”
He glanced down at Cori. “So, she’s not sick, is she? You just texted me ‘cause you don’t want to deal with her. Didn’t you.”
“Don’t Tyson,” his mom snapped.
I saw his expression turn stony as he stared at her. Cori was w
atching their interaction. Tyson must have noticed because he glanced down at her and smiled.
“This prince wants to put the princess to bed,” he said as he leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
My heart melted into a puddle of goo on the floor.
Cori squealed and Tyson wrapped her up in his arms and spun her around. That only made her laugh more.
“Tyson! Don’t rile her up, or she’ll never go to bed.”
Tyson didn’t seem to notice ‘cause he stopped spinning and began throwing her up in the air. Cori laughed, throwing her head back.
Inwardly, I groaned. How was I ever going to stay away from him when he was rapidly becoming the best guy I’d ever known? I was supposed to be Switzerland here. Impartial. Seeing him only as my lab partner and study budy. I couldn’t allow my heart to want more when, every time we got close, he just pulled away.
His mom must have shot him a murderous look, because he sighed, wrapped his arms around Cori, and motioned with his head for me to follow him. “I’ll put her to bed,” he called over his shoulder as we walked out of the room and I followed him up the stairs.
Cori must have noticed me as she peeked over his shoulder. “Who’s that?” she asked, eyeing me.
I gave her a smile. For some reason, I really wanted her to like me.
“That’s my friend.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I’ve never seen her before. What’s her name?”
When Tyson got to the top step, he turned and shifted her so she was on his arm. She laid her head on his shoulder, never breaking eye contact with me.
“Her name is Destiny. But I call her Tiny.”
She grew quiet for a minute. “Is that like my name?”
“Yeah. Like your name. Corinne, but we call you Cori.”
She wiggled, so he set her down. She walked up to me appraisingly. I never felt so nervous, standing there, being scrutinized by a kid that only came up to my bellybutton.
“Do you like princess movies?” she asked, folding her arms and tapping her foot on the floor.
“Of course. Who doesn’t love princess movies?”
Rule #1: You Can't Date the Coach's Daughter (The Rules of Love) Page 9