The apologetic smile she gave him was radiant. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” She had the cutest set of dimples that made him smile without realizing it.
His argument suddenly forgotten, he made a show of shrugging it off. “What? That? It was no big deal.” He waved it away. “That was some impressive handling, though.”
“Thanks. I was going way too fast.” She shrugged sheepishly. “It’s been a while since I’ve been able to open her up.” She patted the black Triumph next to her. “I’m told I can be a bit reckless with it.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” Alex said with a grin. “I’d say you’re just the right amount of…exciting.”
Chapter Three
Katie’s heart pounded in her chest as she wrenched away from her bedroom window and raced down the stairs. Of all the dangerous extreme sports she’d watched Alex do—heck, had even tried with him—the thing that nearly took him out was jaywalking? By some miracle, the motorcycle had avoided him, but then she’d seen his fists clench as he stormed toward the biker and out of sight. Macho idiot. He’d survived only so he could get the crap beaten out of him by some tough biker. If that wasn’t Darwinism at its finest, she didn’t know what was.
Katie only slowed down long enough to slip on her new shoes at the front door, but as she ran outside, she realized she should have practiced walking in heels before wearing them. Between her shoes and her urgency, she tripped all the way down the driveway. She didn’t stop until she’d rounded her fenced yard and was standing in the street.
Her darting eyes swept over the road, but Alex was nowhere to be found. Finally, she heard his voice close by.
“…thinking about buying a Ducati,” he was saying. “They’ve got some real torque.”
“They’re nice bikes,” a girl’s voice responded, “but I prefer the classics like my Triumph here. If it’s good enough for James Dean, it’s good enough for me.”
Katie rounded the bushes that separated her house from the neighbor’s. Her eyes immediately landed on Alex, who—not beaten to a bloody pulp at all—was leaning against the fence with his hands in his pockets.
She knew that stance well. The way he flicked his perfect, golden-brown hair that hung in his green eyes, that mischievous smile, the angle of his sports-crafted body that said “there’s nowhere I’d rather be than here with you.” And “you,” at the moment, happened to be a tall, blonde girl.
He was flirting!
Here Katie was coming to his stupid rescue, and he was flirting. Suddenly she wanted to punch him herself. She blew out a breath and walked over.
Alex chuckled, giving the girl a charming smile. “Well, I have to admit your bike does leave an impression when it’s coming straight for you at a hundred miles per hour.”
The girl giggled. “Again, I’m really sorry—”
“Alex?” Katie interrupted.
He spun at the sound of her voice, his face lighting up the moment he saw her. “Katie!”
“What happened?” she demanded, trying to control her breathless voice—running in heels was harder than she would have guessed. “I thought…I saw you almost get hit by…” She glanced at the motorcycle next to the girl, belatedly realizing that her fast and furious neighbor wasn’t a guy like she’d assumed. “…her.”
“Oh, that?” He jabbed a thumb at the would-be crime scene. “That was nothing. I’ve had closer calls than that.”
He crossed his arms, and Katie swore his chest puffed out a little. She rolled her eyes at his false bravado. Typical Alex.
When she didn’t say anything, he gestured to the tall blonde. “Katie, this is Lexi.”
Suddenly feeling silly for her panic attack, she gave Lexi an enthusiastic “Hello. Nice to meet you.”
“You, too,” she said.
Now that Katie really looked at the girl, her mouth almost dropped open. She was beautiful. Her face had the dramatic lines of a model, all high cheekbones and graceful jawline. A pair of dark jeans hugged slender legs that went on forever. And while she had a sort of sweet, daddy’s-girl look about her face, her leather jacket gave just the right hint of badass flare.
Lexi screamed sexy, but she did it so naturally that Katie didn’t think she had to consult a magazine to pull it off. She’d definitely have no trouble standing out on her first day of school.
Leave it to Alex to find the prettiest girl on the block barely hours after she’s moved in.
Maybe Katie was just feeling sensitive, since she hadn’t received the reaction she’d hoped for from Alex over her New Look. She wasn’t sure what she’d expected. Eyeballs popping out of his head? A standing ovation? She would have settled for a slow clap. But Alex had seemed…unhappy about the new and improved Katie.
She supposed his reaction wasn’t surprising. Guys like Alex didn’t go for girls like Katie—awkward, slightly dorky, bookwormy girls. He was voted most popular in their year, he got invited to all of the coolest parties, and all the girls chased him.
Katie had met Alex the summer before sophomore year when she was volunteering as a candy striper at the hospital. They’d spent nearly the whole summer together playing Conquerors of Caroon and hanging out with his brother. Once school started, and the Homecoming dance rolled around, she’d hoped it might be the start of something between them.
At the end of the night, when the last slow song came on, Katie stood outside the dance area where a bunch of other girls were waiting to be asked to dance. She couldn’t help but think of Red Rover, and here she was again, hoping not to be picked last. But when Alex’s eyes locked with hers from across the decorated gym, and he headed her way, he walked right past all the prettiest and coolest girls to ask Katie to dance.
As he led her to the dance floor with her hand in his, it was the best feeling she’d ever had. And when the night was over…nothing happened. Absolutely nothing. And it still hadn’t.
However, since then, she’d had a million chances to tell him how she felt. But each time she almost went for it, she hesitated. That little voice in the back of her mind began cutting her down and she’d doubt herself. Then came Susan and Christina and Tasha and all the rest.
That was why Katie had The Plan. She might not have been Alex’s number one, but she was going to be someone’s. So Katie shook it off. She should be happy that Alex wanted a girlfriend. Maybe he was finally coming to terms with the loss of his brother, slowly cooling it with the whole carpe diem promise. So why did it bother her?
“I’m kind of relieved you’re my neighbor,” Lexi told Katie. “It’s nice to know someone my age, and right next door, too.”
“How old are you?” Katie asked, thinking she looked mature enough to be in college.
“Seventeen,” she said. “I start senior year at Porterville High in two days.”
“We’re seniors there, too,” Alex said. “Go Panthers.”
Katie snorted. “Of course we’re seniors there. It’s not like there are a lot of high schools to choose from. But it’s still a pretty good school,” she told Lexi. “Big enough that it offers decent electives but small enough class sizes that you get more one on one with the teachers.”
She wasn’t sure why she was rambling on about Porterville High like a promotional brochure. Maybe because meeting new people made her nervous. So this was good practice, she reminded herself. The New Katie was good at making friends (and apparently positive affirmations).
Alex laughed. “That’s Katie. More worried about academics than the awesome back-to-school parties that are lined up.” Alex’s posture shifted. He was doing the “there’s nowhere I’d rather be” stance again with Lexi. “It must be hard starting a new school for your final year.”
Lexi shrugged. “I’m used to it. I’m a seasoned new girl.”
“Do you move a lot?”
“I’m an army brat. Hence the motorcycle.” She ran a loving hand over the leather seat. “It was a buyoff for having to move again just before senior year. Guilt works magic.”
Katie gaped at her. “You mean your parents bought it for you? They don’t think it’s too dangerous?”
“Oh, sure, but it’s not like my dad can argue about my dangerous hobbies when being in the army isn’t exactly the safest career.”
Lexi said it so flippantly that, for a second, Katie thought it was kind of a childish way to look at it. But then Lexi’s cheek dimpled like she was biting the inside of it. She turned away like she’d just remembered to hang her helmet on the handlebar.
A moment later, Lexi seemed to shake it off. When she looked back, she flashed them a smile. “But it’ll be great to know someone on my first day. It was cool we ran into each other.”
“Not literally ran into me, though,” Alex joked.
Lexi laughed. “No, not literally ran into you. But it was nice to meet you both.”
She said it genuinely, and Katie doubted she had any trouble making friends. She had that whole mysterious thing going for her, the thing that made people curious to find out more: where she’d been, what she’d seen, what other talents she had. And by the way Alex was gawking at her, he obviously wanted answers to those questions, too.
Lexi held herself with a natural confidence that attracted people—the kind that Katie was working on finding for herself. Maybe it was the cool leather jacket, or her easy smile, or the straight-up way in which she was practically like “let’s be friends.” Like it was just that easy—maybe for some people.
“Well, it was nice meeting you, too,” Katie said. “We’ll see you at school on Monday?”
“Maybe we could hang out after school,” Alex suggested. “I could show you around town, since you’re new and all.”
Before Lexi could answer, Katie cut in. “You can’t on Monday. We have plans to play with the team, remember?”
“What sport do you guys play?” Lexi asked.
“Actually, it’s our gaming team,” Alex said. “We play Conquerors of Caroon. Do you know it?”
“I’ve heard of it but never played,” she said. “My gaming repertoire mostly consists of Zelda and Mario.”
“Then you’d love it. It’s kind of like Zelda, in that it’s a role-playing game, but…” And then he was lost, the excitement flashing in his eyes as he explained about his favorite pastime (besides girls and nearly killing himself with extreme sports). But there was something else, too.
In Alex’s expression, Katie recognized the same determination she saw in her bedroom when he’d told her he wanted a girlfriend. It made her wonder about his ulterior motive for talking up the game.
Something about the way he was blabbing about it with Lexi made Katie feel protective, like he was sharing top-secret intel with his flavor of the week—not that Lexi would know that’s what she was until it was too late. Conquerors wasn’t a secret or anything, but his dating life had never infiltrated that part of their world. It felt special. Sacred even. Something for just the two of them (well, and Sugarplum and Pizzalover).
“Alex,” Katie interrupted. “I’m sure you’re boring her.”
“It’s not boring,” Lexi said. “I think it sounds pretty cool.” And she gave her a genuine smile.
Don’t be stupid, Katie chastised herself. Lexi’s only being friendly, and Alex is only being his flirty self.
“It’s awesome,” Alex said. “You should try it sometime. I could show you how, if you want.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Lexi said noncommittally. “Well, I should get going. I skipped out on dinner so my parents are probably wondering where I am. I’ll see you guys later?”
“See you,” Katie said.
Grabbing her Triumph by the handlebars, Lexi kicked up the stand. She began pushing the bike toward her garage, but Alex followed her.
“Hey, why don’t I get your number before you go?”
“Why? You might forget where I live?” she asked cheekily—she was so much better at flirting than Katie.
“I just figured that I’d give you a ride to school on Monday. I could show you the ropes, make sure you don’t get lost on your first day,” he said smoothly.
Katie rolled her eyes, waiting for Lexi to cave like all the girls did. All hail the king of pickup lines.
Just great. Katie finally got a cool neighbor her own age she could be friends with and Alex was going to pull his usual routine, making things really awkward. He’d date her, get bored, and Katie would be left to pick up the pieces. “Why hasn’t he called?” “Did I do something wrong?” “Can you put in a good word for me?” Then again, Katie could just avoid leaving through the front door until she graduated and left for college. So much for making a new friend.
Lexi gave Alex a thoughtful look. A playful quirk crossed her full lips. And here it comes, thought Katie.
Then she patted her bike. “I’m sure I can find my own way there. Thanks.”
Katie stared in amazement. Alex Masse shot down? Lexi was new in town. Obviously, she didn’t know what she was passing up. Just look at him, she thought. He’s hot and charming and sweet and… She wasn’t sure why she was suddenly defensive about Alex, especially when she thought he needed to get knocked down a peg or two by a girl. Way to go, Lexi.
Maybe Lexi was just playing hard to get. Katie had recently read an article about that in one of her magazines. Every guy loved the chase. It was in their primitive DNA makeup or whatever. It was total science. The article had stats and everything, so it must have been true.
Alex seemed just as surprised that he’d been denied. It took him a moment to recover, laughing it off. “Okay, okay. Just don’t blame me if you’re late.”
Lexi waved. “See you Monday.”
As she continued to push her bike up the driveway, Katie could see by the expression on Alex’s face that he wasn’t about to give up. In fact, he had that look, the one he wore right before he was about to crest a steep downhill trail on his mountain bike, like “Oh, yeah. Here we go!”
…
Alex waited around until the garage door closed all the way, just to see every last inch of Lexi, right down to her leather boots. Even though he didn’t get her number, he wasn’t deterred. But he had to do things differently this time, by the book—err, magazine.
He so wanted this to be it. That missing thing that caused his anxiety to rise and his chest to ache like an anaconda had wrapped itself around him, the thing that would help him move on from Katie. Maybe instead of needing an extreme dating life to be happy, one after the next like his brother, he just needed an extreme girl.
As he headed to his truck, Katie walked with him. She paused at the end of Lexi’s driveway and looked both ways.
“So do I need to hold your hand crossing the street from now on?” she asked.
Alex laughed. “It seems that way.”
He pulled his keys out of his pocket and played with them for a few seconds but made no move to unlock his door. He glanced back at Lexi’s house, replaying the last several minutes in his head.
It was already obvious that he and Lexi had things in common. She was an adrenaline junkie like him. That was a start. They just needed to spend more time together. It’s not like they really knew each other yet. Heck, Lexi didn’t know anyone in town. And maybe that was exactly how he’d be able to get closer to her. Step one: Be a friend.
“It’s the pointy end,” Katie said, taking his keys from him. “See? You stick it into this hole in the door and turn it.” She demonstrated.
Alex chuckled but barely registered the joke. His mind was still preoccupied. “So Lexi seemed nice,” he said.
“Yes…she did,” Katie said hesitantly.
He glanced at her and found her staring at him, like he’d just said he wanted to skydive naked. “What?”
She groaned. “Don’t do this. Not my next-door neighbor. Please don’t make it awkward for me to leave my own house.”
“It’s not like that,” he said. “It won’t be like all the others. I told you, I want a girlfriend.”
“And you want Lexi, the
girl we just met two-point-five seconds ago to be your girlfriend? I mean, I know you like to move fast, but—”
“No, no…well, yes. I do. But I want to do this differently. I’d like to get to know her better first, just like the magazine article said. And you told me you’d help, right?” He wrapped his arm around her with an angelic smile, or at least the one that always got him out of trouble with girls.
“And you want me to help you get to know her, when I only just met her, too.” She sighed. “Have any ideas?
“Well…we need a fifth player for Conquerors of Caroon.” He turned his best puppy-dog eyes on Katie.
Her expression wavered, and she looked away. “You only want me to ask Lexi so you can hook up with her.”
“No, I—”
She spun on him. “Conquerors isn’t your online dating service. It’s important. To me. To the whole team.”
He took a step back, surprised by her reaction. “It’s important to me, too. That’s why I want to find our fifth player, so we can enter the tournament.”
“Are you sure that’s all this is about?” she asked, turning away again.
“Please, Katie. Think about it. It’s perfect. She’s new and wants to make friends. If she joins the team, she automatically makes four new ones. And we need to find somebody before all the tournament positions are filled.”
When Katie remained silent, and he still couldn’t read her expression, he resorted to begging. He gripped her shoulders so she was forced to look at him. “Please, I really want to compete this year. For Jason.”
She finally met his gaze and crossed her arms. “We only just met her.”
“She has experience.”
Katie laughed. “Playing Zelda! That hardly counts.”
“You heard Trevor,” he said. “From what the contest rules say, we only have until October fifteenth to enter, or earlier if a total of five entrants have been reached. Whichever comes first. ‘Hardly’ might have to do. Please won’t you ask her for me?”
Katie stared down at her shoes, maybe even pouting a little. She was nice to Lexi so he couldn’t understand her reaction. “Why me? You want her so badly, you ask her.”
Playing Her Secret Crush Page 4