by Naomi Niles
I cocked my head at him. “Spoken like someone who has done it before.”
He smiled, and I realized it was an adorable grin that lit up his brown eyes. “More than once.”
He spun away from me and walked to class like he didn’t have a care in the world. My step was lighter knowing that Dylan was on my side. It was nice to have a protector. I walked into my next class, hunched over. I hoped I looked pale enough.
“Mrs. Watkins, my stomach hurts. Can I go to the nurse’s office?”
It might be nice to sit out a class. I have to admit that Greg had shaken me up. I’d never had anyone treat me that way and I didn’t like it. Dylan had ridden in on his white horse.
I lay in the nurse’s office thinking about him. What a tough life he must have. Hopefully, it would be better now. I wondered what I could do to brighten it. Should I introduce him to my friends or did he not care about those things? I didn’t know.
What I knew about Dylan, I could count on one hand. He wasn’t a forthcoming with information. He still hadn’t told Daddy why he’d been writing on the wall. I wondered why he didn’t want to tell us. Was it embarrassing?
Had someone written something about him?
No, that wasn’t it. He didn’t care what most people thought. It must be a great way to go through life. Then again, the reasons he of how he got there aren’t good.
I sat up when the nurse came in.
“I’m feeling better. Can I go back to class?”
“Of course.”
She wrote me a pass. There was only ten minutes left in the period, so I sauntered and got there with only five left. No need to even open my notebook. Bailey was in that class and would give me her notes.
The bell rang.
“I saw Greg in the hallway. He looked mad. Is everything okay?” Bailey said.
It was. Because Dylan would protect me.
Chapter Nine
Dylan
I found the right room for the Mathletes. Oh, God. That sounded nerdy. I guess I was a nerd, but Taylor had recommended this club since I was good at math. She said it would look good for college.
Like I was going to college. Still, Mr. Dean wanted me to get involved, so I paused outside the classroom where the Mathletes met. I’d heard of them, but had never given them much thought before. I couldn’t think about much with my stomach rumbling.
I couldn’t remember the last time I went hungry. I was putting on needed weight and probably should go to the weight room instead of the nerd room.
And it was.
I opened the door and five kids with glasses and superhero t-shirts turned to look at me.
“Can we help you?”
They looked a little scared of me, as if I was going to shake them down for their lunch money. “I’m here to join.”
They all looked at each other, then back at me.
“It’s not a joke, guys. I’m good at math.”
The tallest one stepped up. He was almost my height, but skinny and pale. These kids were all a walking stereotype. There was even a dorky girl in the corner.
“Oh, really?”
“Yes,” I said. “I need to join an activity and someone suggested you guys.”
Did I have to be hazed first? Solve six differential equations in some short time period? They exchanged a glance again. The taller one stepped closer. “I’m Jake.”
“Dylan.”
We shook hands. The rest seemed to relax. The girl stared at me as if she’d never seen a man without a superhero shirt in her life.
“Why do you want to join us?” one of the others spoke up.
“Well, I’m living with a family and the father said that I need to find an activity. I tried out for baseball and didn’t make it. A friend recommended your club. She said I would fit in okay.”
I wasn’t so sure, but I refused to judge them on their appearances. That wouldn’t be fair. Jake nodded. “It’s fine guys. I don’t think it’s a prank.”
“A prank?”
“One of the jocks joined and made us lose our first meet. On purpose. Then he left. I’m guessing the football team thought it was funny.”
“Oh, no, this isn’t a prank. What do you guys do?”
“Well, we compete in tournaments. We have to solve math problems and are asked questions about math related topics.”
“Well, I’m getting an A in calculus. Do I qualify?” I said.
“That would do. We’ve never tested anyone or turned away anyone,” Jake said. “People aren’t knocking down the door to join us.”
I shrugged. Whatever. If it made Mr. Dean happy, I didn’t really care. Having been an outcast my whole high school life, being a part of something might be nice. I was surprised that Taylor had known about them. Guess she wasn’t that much of a snob, after all.
“Then, I want to join. Is it too late?”
“No, but we have a tournament coming up and you won’t be eligible to compete.”
I shrugged again. “That’s fine.”
Jake made the introductions. I learned the girl’s name was Sandra. She was reluctant to shake my hand, but I’d win her over. I had that kind of touch with the ladies. She’d be charmed by me. Eventually.
The meeting lasted an hour and when I walked out of the classroom, Taylor was waiting for me. I said goodbye to all of the mathletes. They saw Taylor and stepped back like she was a queen or something. I guess in some ways she was.
She smiled at all of them, but didn’t say anything. I fell into step beside her.
“How was it?”
“A little odd at first, then it was okay.”
“You think it’s the right club for you?”
I nodded. “I do, Taylor. Thanks. I don’t look like a geek, but I guess in my heart, I am.”
She laughed. Each time she did, my heart skipped a beat. I had always thought that was bullshit, but it happened. I swear. “Did they ask you about your tattoos?”
“Yeah, they did. I don’t think I’m the only one in the school with them, so I don’t know why people bring them up.”
“But you’re the only I’ve ever talked to,” she said. “People with tattoos are scary.”
“Am I scary?”
“No, not at all. You’re just Dylan,” she said.
I liked how she said my name. Damn. I had to remember that her father had let me into his house. I doubt he’d like me dating his daughter. “But I have tattoos.”
“I was afraid of you when I first met you.”
“I know.”
“Did that bother you?”
“No.”
It hadn’t. I was used to it.
“I’m sorry that I was afraid.”
“You don’t have to be sorry about how you feel. It’s just how you feel. I appreciate that you’ve warmed up to me.”
She nudged him with her hip. “You’re not so bad.”
I couldn’t help smiling. This was a flirty Taylor. Her eyes twinkled. They were an odd shade of blue, but it worked on her.
“Is your Dad picking us up?”
“Yep. Like usual. I miss him when he’s out of town.”
“Does he travel much?”
“He’ll go for weeks where I don’t see him but once a week,” she said.
I could see the sadness in her eyes. What would that be like? I had to admit that if my mother had traveled, it would have been a relief. There was always drama surrounding her – and strangers who wanted to party.
I would often come home to all sorts of stoned people in our trailer. I had started locking my bedroom door when stuff started getting stolen.
Sadly, that could have been my mother selling things to buy drugs. It may not have been her friends. Taylor had no such worries in her life.
***
The mathletes met after school the next day, but not for long. I had some time before Taylor’s dad would pick us up. I could have gotten a ride home, but decided to hang out. School was different after hours.
Everyone wa
s more relaxed. Usually, I was running home because my mother wanted me there or I had to check on her because she’d had the day off. It was never a good thing to give my mother idle time. She just drank or snorted it away.
I should probably go visit her, but not being around her had been nice. I was only responsible for myself. Someone else made meals and gave me money for food. This life was nice, but one wrong step and Mrs. Dean would kick me out.
And, she should. They’d offered me a rare opportunity and I had to do right by them.
I sat in the bleachers watching the various sports practicing. Okay, I was only watching the cheerleaders. And, only watching Taylor. She had command of the squad.
Those girls listened to her. Taylor didn’t come up to see me when they took a break, which was disappointing. It shouldn’t be, but it was.
Instead, two other cheerleaders came up to sit with me. I glanced at Taylor, who was clearly staring my way. Why? I didn’t get a read on the situation, but I had a feeling I was in dangerous waters. The two women sat on either side of me and I got the feeling I was going to be ambushed.
They were twins. Every guy’s fantasy, right? I swallowed hard.
“Hello, ladies.”
Smooth. I wasn’t really. I just came across that way because I was usually quiet. Some girls thought I was dark and broody. It had gotten me a little ass here and there.
“Hello, Dylan. I’m Bailey.”
“I’m Barbie.”
Barbie and Bailey. Okay. I expected porn music to start playing because this was unreal. I rubbed my hands on my pants. I’d just wanted to wait for Taylor and now, I was surrounded by women.
“Hello. How did you know my name?”
Bailey leaned into me, two manicured fingers dancing across my shoulder. “We were at Taylor’s house that day.”
“Oh, right.”
I’d forgotten. As hot as they were, they hadn’t been that memorable. I’d been so nervous about invading their space in the basement that the details were forgotten.
“Taylor said you’ve been helping her with math,” Barbie said. “I need some help. With math.”
Okay. “Well, I guess I could help you.”
This really was starting to be porn-like, but who was I to turn them down?
Except that my gaze kept straying to Taylor. When it did, either Barbie or Bailey would put a finger on my chin to bring my attention back. I could have twins, if I did this properly, both of them. I bet at the same time.
All I could keep thinking about was what Taylor would think, though. She looked even less happy each time my gaze went to her.
“Is practice over ladies?” I asked.
“Yes, it is.”
I stood. My dick didn’t want me to, but my heart had other ideas. These were Taylor’s friends. I wasn’t going to just hop into bed with them. I needed to make sure if I pursued anything with either one of them that Taylor would be okay with it. “I better go, then. Have Taylor give you my number if you still need math help.”
They frowned at me. Barbie pouted.
They were probably bad news, but I’d have to ask Taylor about asking one of them to the dance. I’d never had one girl after me, let alone, two. I approached Taylor.
“You ready to go home?”
“Are you? I wouldn’t want to interrupt you,” she said. She didn’t look at me. She was pissed.
“What did I do Taylor?”
Her shoulders slumped. “Nothing. Let’s go find my dad.”
I followed her to the car. “Taylor.”
“What?”
“What did I do?”
She smiled. “You didn’t do anything, Dylan. I’m being a bitch.”
“We’re okay?”
“Sure.”
When we arrived home, I followed her to the kitchen. “That dance is coming up.”
“Yeah?”
“I wanted to ask someone. Is it okay if I ask one of your friends?”
A bunch of emotions crossed her face. I didn’t know any of them.
“Which friend?”
“Well, Barbie or Bailey.”
She put a hand on my arm, then she looked around. “Let me let you in on a little secret.”
“What?”
Her father had disappeared. It wasn’t dinnertime yet, and besides, tonight pizza was being delivered.
“Barbie and Bailey are in a competition.”
“What kind?”
“To lose their virginity. Whoever loses it to the coolest person wins.”
So many questions crossed my mind. “Who decides who is coolest?”
“The rest of the cheerleading squad. Not me. I want nothing to do with it.”
“What does this have to do with me?”
She eyed me for a moment. “Guys really are idiots. They want to see who can lose it to you because you’re cool. You’ve got that dark and broody thing going on.”
I took a step back. “I’m cool?”
She sighed. “In their eyes. They are using you, Dylan. They wouldn’t give you the time of day, otherwise.”
Now that hurt. “You don’t think they could like me?”
“They wouldn’t. They are snobs and you don’t run in the same circles. That’s all. The problem is with them, not you.”
“You don’t think I’m good enough for them.”
“It isn’t that, Dylan. Don’t put words in my mouth.”
“I’m not. You don’t think I’m good enough for your friends.”
I was pissed. I stomped out of the kitchen, not wanting to be near her. Here I’d thought we’d become friends and now she was not being nice to me, at all.
“Dylan.”
I didn’t stop. I’d come down when pizza was here, but I wasn’t going to talk to Taylor. I’d been worried about her feelings, but she wasn’t worried about mine.
Chapter Ten
Taylor
I tried to talk to Dylan all week, but he ignored me and managed not to be alone with me except in the car, and I didn’t want to have that conversation in front of either of my parents. I’d get my car back soon, but not before the dance.
He’d asked Barbie, and she was going with him. I was going stag as I didn’t want to go with anyone. I think if Dylan had asked, I would have gone with him, but that certainly wasn’t happening.
Men. What was I supposed to do about him? He was going to get used and I didn’t want to see his heart broken. I certainly didn’t want to see Barbie get her claws into him.
Tonight was the dance and the night that Barbie was going to have sex with Dylan. Darn. I’d really screwed this up. I thought he wanted me to be honest with him.
The gym was made up to look like a Winter Wonderland. Snowflakes hung from the ceiling. I hadn’t been on the decorating committee this year, but they’d done a good job. The music was too loud to talk.
I tried not to be a stalker, but I kept my eye on Dylan and Barbie. The first time she went to the bathroom, I pounced.
“Dylan, we need to talk.”
“No, we don’t, Taylor. You’ve said all that I need to hear. Barbie thinks you’re jealous.”
I took a step back. “You told Barbie what I said.”
She hadn’t mentioned it. I knew he’d texted with her all week, but she hadn’t ignored me. Guess she assumed that I wasn’t a threat. Nice.
He walked away, but I followed. “Dylan, listen to me.”
He stopped. “Why? Best case scenario, you’re just being mean. Worst case, you’re jealous. Either way, you’re being a bitch, Taylor. Stop it. Is it so hard to imagine she might like me?”
No, it wasn’t hard. Because I liked Dylan. Maybe not that way, but I could see myself liking him that way. I didn’t, but it was possible.
I watched him walk out of the gym. I had to follow. I wasn’t letting Barbie do this to him. She’d post it everywhere. Not only would she break his heart, she’d laugh at him and the whole school would know.
Things were turning around for him. I
didn’t want him to be hurt. I didn’t want to him to have a setback. He was a good kid, and I finally understood what my dad had seen in him because I saw it, too. I knew Barbie just saw a chance to win this contest.
Stupid contest. Girls were bitches.
Guess I had to talk to Barbie.
I found her in the bathroom, surrounded by some of the other cheerleaders. One look from me and they scattered. Barbie wasn’t cowed, though. She probably felt she had the upper hand. She sat on the edge of the sink where she’d been holding court.
What I wouldn’t give to kick her off the cheerleading squad, but I didn’t have that kind of power. I’d have to go through the teacher advisor. She’s trying to have sex with a friend wouldn’t be a viable reason in the teacher’s eyes.
I stood in front of her, my arms crossed. “Don’t do it, Barbie.”
“Don’t do what?”
“Don’t do what you’re planning. Don’t have sex with Dylan.”
She leaned closer. “I think that you are jealous.”
“I know about the contest. You couldn’t pick someone other than Dylan?”
She laughed. “No one is more badass than him. Who else in this school has a tattoo?”
I didn’t tell her that he had more than one. I wasn’t going to give her the impression that we were more intimate than we were. “He really likes you, and I don’t want to see you break his heart.”
She shrugged. “He’s a guy. He’ll get past it.”
“He has feelings, Barbie.”
“What guy is going to turn down getting laid?”
She was right. Probably. I didn’t know that much about boys, but I knew they were perverts. I sighed. “Barbie, please rethink this. Dylan doesn’t deserve this.”
“Doesn’t deserve to get laid or were you saving that for you?”
Why was everyone so sure that I was jealous? I was just looking out for Dylan.
“I think you need to leave us alone, Taylor. I’m going to win that contest and the evidence will be on Instagram.”
She brushed past me. I took a moment to compose myself before I left the bathroom. When I entered the gym, I didn’t see Dylan. The dance floor was crowded, but I doubted that they were there. I looked around anyway.
I spotted Bailey. “Have you seen Dylan?”