Kyle winced. “With Lana.”
Ah, so that was why Chloe looked green. “Could always skip.”
She sighed. “I have to see her sooner or later. Maybe next time.”
“Okay,” and I swept my eyes around us again, only to be met by more quizzical stares of disbelief and shock from girls. It was weird.
Chloe stood, nearly tipping over her seat and hastily grabbing her things. “I have to go. I’ll see you later.”
I didn’t have time to say anything. She was out the door.
Kyle eyed her tray. “Chloe never leaves her chocolate chip cookie.”
I stood, worried. As silly as I felt for letting a cookie be the catalyst, it was. She ate lunch with Kyle and Lana everyday. He realized something was wrong to. My only question was, what? “I’ll be back.”
I went outside and started down the sidewalk. There wasn’t anyone around. I crossed the narrow drive and wove between parked cars. No Chloe. She couldn’t have gotten far. So I took out my phone and texted her.
She didn’t answer.
I kept up my search until I reached a large grassy area by the water. There were a few trees for shade and lawn chairs for students to relax.
“Hey.”
I turned around to find Chloe behind me, sitting at the base of a tree. “What happened back there?”
She shrugged, wiping her eyes. “Nothing, just something stupid.”
I sat down across from her. “Babe, is it about seeing Lana?”
“Not all of it.” She tugged the band out of her ponytail and let the strands tumble down her shoulders. “I saw that you noticed people were staring at us.”
I nodded. “It was kind of strange.”
“They are all friends with Lana.”
That explained it then. “Chloe baby, Lana is a bitch. And so are the rest of those girls if they take her side over yours.”
She laughed, scooting closer to hug me. “Thanks. But you don’t even know what we’re fighting about.”
I kissed her. “Do you want to tell me?”
“I do, but not here and now. Later, when I figure out the best way.” She stood, pulling me with her. “Walk me to class?”
“Sure,” we held hands the whole way, and outside the room I kissed her again, not caring who was watching.
I met Tobey and Kyle on the field. I’d be outside Chloe’s class before it ended. So I had some time to kill.
“Nice. You know, if you throw any faster, you just might break the sound barrier.” Kyle shouted from my left.
“What was it?” I asked.
“Oh, just eighty-three.” He chuckled. “Are you even trying?”
I rolled my eyes. “Of coarse I’m trying. I’m sweating my ass off here. Tobey, gonna give you a curveball.”
“Shoot it.” Tobey readied himself behind home plate. I took a deep breath and gave him a nod. Then I lifted my left leg and sent it strait into his gloved hand.
Kyle cursed. “Eighty-five, you’re the all star for a reason. Give us fastball, man. Don’t hold back.”
Out of the corner of my eye Tobey gulped. At his nod, I took a ball from the bucket by my feet. I steadied myself, drew a breath, and let it fly.
“Fuck me…” Kyle looked up from the radar gun he held. He laughed. “Fuck you, man!”
I toed the dirt with my cleats. “It was slow. I knew it.”
“S-slow?” Kyle held up the radar gun as he ran toward me. “You call ninety-eight slow?”
Tobey dropped his mitt and rubbed his hands together. “You killed it, Warren!”
I stared at the number in red on the screen. “Yeah, fuck me is right. I don’t believe it.”
“Believe it, dude.” Kyle clapped me on the back. “If you don’t go pro, I’ll shit myself. Tobey will shit himself, and you know that kid is a neat freak.”
Tobey nodded. “I shower three times a day.”
I eyed my friends. “Sure…uh, how about we call it a day? I’m going to meet Chloe, maybe take her to dinner.
Kyle wagged his eyebrows. “So, how’s it going?”
“It’s going.” I tried not to smile.
Tobey grabbed the ball bucket. “He’s being modest.
“Meaning?” Kyle asked.
“Chloe has him whipped.”
“I’m not whipped.” I said. “I’m…content.”
“Zack, are you saying you have feelings for her?” Kyle asked as we headed for the locker room. “Like, not a fuck buddy or a fling. You want a relationship with, Chloe?”
“I respect Chloe. I’d like to protect her from ass holes who say ‘fuck buddy’ or even think it.” I rolled my shoulder. “She’s special, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t give me a hard time.”
Tobey dumped the ball bucket in the dugout on our way past. “I was rooting for you guys.”
“Thanks.” I said. “So was I.”
Chapter 27
Chloe
“That humanities test was brutal.” Emma Parker said. She lived across the hall from me, knew nothing about the fan club, and was looking for new people to hang out with. I was glad I got to her before Lana. “I seriously think I’m getting a C, maybe a B. But I’m not going to get my hopes up wishing for an A.”
I leaned back against the lounger. We were sunning outside on the balcony. The second floor belonged to the guys, but there was a big outside area where people had hung a clothesline. The school put loungers up there too. It was the perfect place to relax after classes.
Today I really needed to relax. Lunch was a fiasco. Every fan club member in the cafeteria had been staring at me and Zack. I didn’t stop to think about how people would react if they found out we were dating. I was only thinking about Lana. It had been uncomfortable, but not nearly as painful as sitting in class right behind Lana. She didn’t even look at me. and neither did anyone else who used to be my friend.
“I think I did okay. Not great. I know I didn’t fail.” I closed my eyes, soaking up the heated rays. I didn’t need anyone else but Zack, and now that I’d found Emma, I would make a new group of friends to hang out with.
“So what happened to your dorm mate?” Emma asked. “Lana, right?”
“She moved out.” I pointed to a window next to the balcony. “That room, with her boyfriend Kyle. We’re not getting along right now.”
“But what did the RA say?”
“I guess John doesn’t care. His girlfriend is always staying over. The only time he had a problem was when he caught a couple guys smuggling beer into the dorms.”
“Kyle’s dorm mate doesn’t care?” She sounded appalled. Like it was scandalous.
I smiled. “Nope.”
“What if Kyle and Lana are having sex? I mean, having a girl in your bed is bound to lead to something.”
“Then that’s their business.”
“Wait, I know who lives with him!” her green eyes lit up. “The pitcher. Zack Warren! I thought he would be having the girls over and kicking Kyle out. He’s much hotter.”
“Nope.” I laughed. “No girls for Zack.”
She gasped. “He’s gay?”
“No, definitely not.”
Emma brushed the carrot red curls from her neck. “I think having your girlfriend living with you is sick and way too familiar in a dorm room…if you know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I do.” I took a sip of the bottled water I’d set next to my chair. “Which is why Zack is staying with me.”
“No, way! He’s the hottest junior, maybe the hottest guy in school!”
And he was all mine. “Yup.”
“What’s it like? Having a guy live with you?”
I shrugged. “Different. I mean, tonight is his first night with me. We spent the week with our parents, so the sleeping arrangements weren’t an issue until we got back this morning.”
“So do you guys know each other well?” she was fishing big time. I had to let Emma down easy. Zack was off the market, for good if things turned out the way I hoped.
“No, way!” she burst with laughter. “That sounds complicated.”
“Oh, it is. But he’s worth it.”
“I am?” a smug voice said behind us.
Emma and I turned around to find Zack standing in the doorway.
I rolled my eyes. “If you weren’t worth it, would I be dating you?”
He chuckled and came over to give me a quick kiss. “No. I’m going to hit the shower. Want dinner?”
“Sure, I’m hungry. What are you in the mood for?”
He shrugged. “I’m sick of the cafeteria.”
Emma nodded. “It gets boring. Do you guys like Thai food?”
“Yeah.” Zack said.
“Great.” Emma gave us directions to a restaurant about twenty minutes away. “Its affordable and really good.”
Zack gave me a peck on the cheek and went to shower. He was really touchy and sweet. He held my hand wherever we went, and didn’t care that people thought it was strange step siblings were dating.
At the Thai place I ordered a nutty noodle dish, and Zack got something with shrimp. We ended up sharing, since they both were so good. Emma was right.
I slouched down in our booth, smiling at Zack’s goofy expression across the table. “What?”
He took a bite of my noodles. “Nothing.”
Then I felt something bump my foot under the table. His foot slid up behind my calf to the back of my knee. “No way.”
He chuckled. “Babe, didn’t I tell you I’m the king of footsie?”
I kicked off my right sandal and mimicked his moves. “You asked for it.”
Our feet were nudging and rubbing under the table. I got bold and slid my bare toes under the hem of his shorts. I raised an eyebrow. “What now, Warren?”
“I could stick my foot up your skirt.”
“You wouldn’t!”
His foot nudged my knees. “You sure about that?”
I crossed my legs and stuck out my tongue.
“Real mature, babe” Zack signaled for the check. “Just wait till I get you alone in the truck…I’ll be the one laughing then.”
The serious look on his face sent butterflies zipping around my stomach. Alone. Really alone. He was coming back to my room with me since Lana was staying with Kyle, even though they were in an argument. I guess they were working through it.
I licked my lips. “What are you going to do?”
“First, I’m going to kiss you. Every inch of you. Then I’m going to get you out of those clothes.”
I blushed. “Oh, and once I’m out of my clothes, what happens?”
“We go to bed.”
“And?”
“Sleep.” He smirked.
“Okay.”
He took my hands and laced our fingers together, pulling me out of the booth. After the bill was paid, Zack led me back to the truck. Once we were inside, I slid over to the center seat and buckled up.
“Just sleep?” I clarified.
He palmed my thigh with his hand, slipping his fingers just under the hem of my skirt, making me want to scream in frustration. “Do you want to do more?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. I’m not sure, if you were expecting us to…to have sex.”
Zack didn’t drive out of the parking space; instead he undid my seatbelt and pulled me into his lap. “There is nothing I would love more than to pin you to the nearest flat surface and drive us both crazy. But I think we should wait.”
I let out the breath I’d been holding and rested my head against his shoulder. “I didn’t realize how nervous I was.”
He kissed me, close mouthed, softly. “I care about you too much to ruin what we have with sex.”
“Really?” I thought guys were all about it.
“If we’re going to do this relationship justice, I’m going to date you. Do all the right stuff with you, Chloe. In the right order.” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “When the time comes, we’ll have the best sex in the world, babe.”
I hugged him. “God, where have you been all my life?”
He laughed. “Watching from a distance. But I’m done sitting on the side lines.”
I woke up the next morning, draped across Zack’s chest, topless. Not because we had sex, but because we liked the feeling of our skin touching. I didn’t feel embarrassed either. I liked the way Zack looked at me, like I was the most beautiful girl in the world. We’d pushed the beds together to make one big bed.
“Hey,” He murmured.
I kissed him. “I could get used to this.”
“Yeah, that’s good.”
“I don’t need a nightlight when I’ve got you.” I sat up, straddling his hips and bracing my palms against his chest. “Class is in an hour.”
He smoothed his hands up and down my stomach. “How long does it take you to get ready?”
“Half an hour. Why?” I squealed when he rolled me beneath him.
“Because I plan on using the other half to kiss every inch of you.” He leaned up on his elbows, pressing his lips to the base of my throat. The sound of his phone ringing broke the mood.
I rolled to my side, watching Zack pad over to my desk where his phone was charging. He frowned. “I gotta take this.”
“Sure.” I rested my chin on my arm, thinking, at the rate we were going, my virginity wouldn’t be intact for long.
“Hey.” Zack answered. “Nah, I’ve been up. Yeah, I worked my ass off for this. No. No, way. Are you shitting me? When? I still don’t believe you! Yeah, yeah I will. Thanks. No, really, thanks.”
I sat up, wondering why Zack was so excited. He was fist pumping in the air and cursing up a storm. When he hung up, he tossed the phone back on the desk and dove into the bed, kissing me so fiercely I lot my breath.
“I am so fucking happy, Chloe. You have no idea!” He looked like he was about to burst. “Tampa!”
I frowned. “Tampa what?”
“Rays. The Tampa Bay Rays! The baseball team. They want me!”
“What!”
He nodded, kissing me again. “That was my dad. He’s been managing for me. A scout came to one of my games a few weeks ago. I knew they’d been watching me. They want to negotiate a contract, Chloe. The whole deal. The Rays want me. I still can’t believe it.”
“No, way.” I hugged him. “That’s amazing. I’m so happy for you!”
“I couldn’t have done this without you, babe.”
I blushed. “Zack…”
“Really, Chloe. If you hadn’t…been there when I pulled the fire alarm, who knows where I would be today?”
I lifted his hand, studying the strong fingers that pitched baseballs with a kind of fury and speed that amazed me, kissing his palm. “You’d be right here with me. I’d make sure of that.”
Chapter 28
The rest of the week went by in a blur. I spent some time with Emma, happy with our new friendship, talked to Stella on Skype. Lana and I still hadn’t talked. Zack had pretty much moved into the room with me, even going so far as to put up a few trophies and posters of his favorite bands. We slept together every night, and there was no pressure for sex. I knew the day would come when kissing and touching wouldn’t be enough anymore, and I was excited. I wanted it to be special with Zack, not just a quickie in the dorm room.
I spent some time with my mom Friday night after Zack and I drove home. We surfed the web for baby stuff, cribs, cute outfits, and names. So far she liked Jackson if it was a boy, and Piper, if it was a girl.
I secretly wondered if she wanted twins…
Anyway, Zack and I were officially together. We belonged together. He was my match, and I couldn’t imagine us ever going back to the way things were before.
Uh, I’m in love!
I wanted to shout it as I took Kirk for a walk, sing it in the shower while I got ready for the party. At dinner we played it cool, pret
ending we were ignoring each other. But when I went upstairs to get my purse, Zack ambushed me in the hallway. We barely made it into his room. And we almost forgot about the party, until Kyle texted, threatening to quit the team if Zack didn’t show up. In the back of my mind though, was the contract Zack was readying to sign with the Rays. I was so proud of him. He deserved it. I also hoped that he didn’t forget me when he made it to the big leagues.
“You look hot.” Zack kissed me at a red light, draping his arm around my shoulders. “Beautiful, Chloe.”
I blushed, smoothing my yellow dress. “Thanks, you look magnificent.”
“Magnificent?”
I gasped. “Oh, god. You’re hot too…well, more than hot. I can’t really put it into words.”
“How do you feel?”
The Unofficial Zack Warren Fan Club Page 20