“You are so dating my brother you little liar,” Thea said from beside me. I turned to her and let out a sigh. She wasn’t mad at the idea of me dating her brother, oh no, she was so dang excited, which made it difficult to keep telling her that nothing was going on.
“I’m not, I swear,” I told her. “I know you’re probably already planning our wedding and excited over the idea of us being sister-in-laws, but Cade and I are not dating.” I slashed my hands through the air. “We’re just friends.”
Thea sighed, her eyes growing sad, but she quickly brightened. “For now.” She let the subject drop and turned her attention to one of the people walking the stairs selling food. Once she’d bought enough food for ten people she shoved most of it at me and demanded that I eat. Cade might be Cocky Cade, but Thea was Bossy Thea. It didn’t have quite the same ring to it, but it was the truth.
I couldn’t believe that only a few weeks ago I’d told this girl I wasn’t here to make friends, but yet I was sitting beside her at a football game, and it was safe to say that we were friends. My plans never seemed to work out.
“So,” I asked, munching on some popcorn, “where are Xander and Jace?”
“Xander plays football,” she explained, “and Jace is…Jace. This isn’t his thing.”
“He seems kind of…odd. Nice,” I assured her, “but odd.”
“Like you?” Her eyes sparkled with laughter.
I laughed, tossing some popcorn at her. “Yes, like me.”
“I don’t really know how to explain Jace. We grew up with him too, but he didn’t really become friends with Cade until high school. I don’t know the story there.”
“So…what’s going on with you and Xander?” I asked and watched her cheeks flame with color.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? Do you want there to be something?” No way was I letting her get off that easy. Not with the way she pestered me with questions about my nonexistent relationship with Cade.
“Yes. No. I don’t know,” she shrugged. “It’s weird, because we’re friends, but he’s Cade’s best friend. We grew up together and I don’t think he sees me like that. I’m just Cade’s sister to him.”
I begged to differ. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and trust me you’re not just Cade’s sister to him.”
She turned her gaze to me, her eyes full of hope. “Really?”
I nodded and let the subject drop.
We’d finished eating and had wadded up our trash when they players came back out on the field.
Thea became even more energetic as the game progressed, which was saying something since she’d been bad enough before.
When the score tied Thea grasped my hand so tightly it went numb.
In the final seconds of the game, Cade was sprinting across the field with the football cradled in his arm. His long legs almost seemed to blur as he ran.
I found myself standing up, and chanting, “Go! Go! Go!”
Thea grasped my hand and then we were both screaming as guys tried to knock him down.
When Thea screamed in my ear with excitement I knew Cade had made it. “He did it! Go Cade! That’s my brother!” She pointed, but no one could hear her. Everyone in the stadium seemed to be screaming.
Cade’s team ran over to him and the scoreboard flashed.
We’d won.
I didn’t know why but my blood roared at that. This football thing could be addicting and fun when I had someone to cheer for.
“Aren’t you glad you came now?”
Yes. Yes, I was. “It was okay.”
“Whatever, Rae.” Thea rolled her eyes.
The stands began to slowly empty out, but the energy level was still high. I was sure there were bound to be lots of celebratory parties popping up along campus. People would want to draw out this win for as long as possible.
“Think you’ll come to another game?” She asked, a knowing smile on her lips. I wasn’t fooling her. Not at all.
“Maybe,” I shrugged, as we walked back to our dorm. I was a little bummed that I wasn’t going to see Cade, but I didn’t let that show. I knew he probably had a lot of stuff to do with his team. “I’d love to bring my camera next time.”
She grinned. “So there will be a next time?”
I groaned. I hadn’t meant to let that slip out. “Yeah, there will probably be a next time.”
She smiled, clasping her hands together as she danced ahead of me humming pleasantly under her breath.
For a moment, I was envious of Thea. I wished I could see the world as beautiful and simple as she did. I used to. Now I just saw the darkness and the pain that lurked around every corner.
nine
I didn’t know what to wear.
Shocker.
But seriously, what did one wear on a non-date? I guessed I should dress like I normally did, but that seemed too easy.
I tapped my fingers against my lips.
“What are you doing?” Thea asked, walking into our dorm. The door slammed closed behind her—Thea never did anything quietly.
I’d hoped to be gone by the time she arrived. Of course my luck wasn’t that good. Actually, I was pretty sure my luck was nonexistent.
“Trying to find something to wear,” I mumbled, frustrated with myself for getting so worked up over this. What I wore shouldn’t matter, but right now I was being a typical girl.
“Oh, yeah. That’s right, you’re going out with Cade.”
“It’s not a date,” I spat.
She smirked. “I didn’t say it was.”
My cheeks colored. “It’s really not.”
“Hey,” she lifted her hands, “you don’t need to defend yourself to me.” She dropped her bag on her bed. “Do you want any help?”
No. “Yes.”
Thea walked over and perused my closet. “Here.” She shoved torn black jeans into my hands a loose gray sweater that hung off my shoulders. “And these.” She bent down, picking up a pair of chestnut colored leather boots. “Cute and simple and not trying too hard.”
“I don’t want to try at all.”
She huffed. “There is nothing wrong with that outfit. It’s cute and something you’d wear around campus. It’s not a skintight dress that has your boobs hanging out asking for some attention, so pull your panties out of that wad.”
My lips twitched with the threat of laughter. “Okay,” I agreed.
I changed into the outfit and looked in the mirror. Thea was right. It was perfect.
Cade had texted me hours ago, telling me he’d pick me up at six. After arguing that I’d meet him at the restaurant, instead of going with him, I’d finally given in when he threatened to carry me out of the dorm and to his car if I didn’t cooperate. I knew he wasn’t lying.
“Are you nervous?” Thea asked.
My head snapped in her direction. “Why would I be nervous?”
“No reason,” she shrugged innocently. I was going to throttle that beauty queen one of these days.
My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out to see a text from Cade telling me he was in the parking lot. Stupidly, my heart sped up.
When I looked up from my phone Thea was watching me with a knowing smile.
“See you later,” she sing-songed.
“Mhmm,” was my only reply, as I grabbed my bag and left.
It wasn’t easy to miss Cade’s black Jeep Wrangler sitting in the parking lot. The thing was huge.
He hopped out of the truck and my breath faltered.
Holy hell.
His hair was brushed back away from his forehead, which only served to accentuate the curves of his cheekbones and the cut of his chiseled chin.
He wore a light blue button down shirt that made his eyes pop even more. His shirt was tucked into a nice pair of jeans and held up by a thin black belt.
Cade was good-looking. Period. But right now…he was almost god-like.
When he chuckled I realized I’d stopped walking and stood staring at hi
m. Such a great way to start off this non-date.
I shook my head and forced my feet forward.
He opened the passenger door for me and I climbed inside. I couldn’t help being reminded of my first date with Brett.
My heart raced in chest.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
I’d had a crush on Brett for longer than I’d care to admit and I’d been shocked when he asked me to go to the movies with him tonight.
At first I’d been excited, then scared, and finally I was just plain worried.
Worried about what to wear.
Worried about how to fix my hair.
Worried about what to do or say.
The last thing I wanted to do was make a fool of myself. I’d been on dates before, and kissed guys, but none of them were Brett.
They didn’t make my heart pound like he did.
Or a light sweat break out across my skin.
I took a deep breath and finished smoothing out the curls in my hair. I did my makeup, making sure not to do it too heavy. After all, we were going to the movies. This was meant to be casual and I didn’t want to get carried away.
“Stop freaking out, Rachael,” I scolded myself. “You’re being stupid.”
And I was. I’d known Brett my whole life, but a part of me felt like tonight was monumental—like my life might never be the same again.
I fluffed my hair one last time and went into my closet, trying on four different outfits before settling on a pair of skinny jeans, a flowered peplum top, and boots. It was nice, but not like I was trying too hard…I hoped.
“Rachael!” My mom yelled up the stairs. “Brett is here!”
My heart jolted with excitement.
I took my time going downstairs, not wanting to appear too eager.
I couldn’t help smiling when I saw Brett waiting for me in the foyer. His red hair was gelled back stylishly and he was dressed in jeans and a green polo shirt that made his eyes appear even greener. He grinned when he saw me and as his eyes perused my body I felt my cheeks heat.
I’d never been one to act so shy and girly before, but Brett made me nervous.
My mom and dad stood back a ways, watching us. Finally my dad cleared his throat and looked between the two of us. “Have her back by ten.”
“Daaaaad,” I whined. “I’m sixteen. I can stay out later than that!”
“Fine,” he sighed, scrubbing a hand over his beard, “eleven. But any later,” he warned, “and I’m calling the police.”
Brett chuckled. “Don’t worry, Mr. Wilder. I’ll have her back in time.”
My dad narrowed his eyes and made a grunting sound that said: I’ll believe it when I see it. I knew my dad was just messing with Brett, though.
“Come on,” Brett said to me, “we don’t want to be late for the movie.”
My body hummed when he put his hand on my waist, guiding me to the door. My insides were a jumbled mess of excitement.
We walked to his car in silence and he opened the door of his hand-me-down BMW for me to slip inside. “Thanks,” I smiled.
He smiled back. Once he was seated, he admitted, “I didn’t think you’d agree to go on a date with me.”
“What? Why not?” I gasped, astonished.
He shrugged. “Look at you, you’re beautiful, and smart, and amazing.”
“You’re all those things too,” I countered.
He grinned crookedly and lowered his head so that his hair brushed his forehead. “Not like you,” he chuckled, starting the car.
It didn’t take us long to get to the theater. He took me to the old one in town. Most people preferred the fancy new one attached to the mall, but not me, and Brett knew that. There was something so real about this one and it reminded me of a time when I believed people were happier—when life was simple.
“Is this okay?” Brett asked.
“It’s perfect,” I smiled. Our date had barely started and it was already better than I imagined.
Inside we ordered popcorn and soda.
The theater was pretty empty. Most people didn’t come to this one. I liked that it allowed us to have a little more privacy.
We took our seats towards the back.
The lights dimmed and I swore my heart sped up even more, if that was possible.
When Brett reached to hold my hand halfway through the movie I thought I stopped breathing.
Once the movie ended and he still didn’t let go of my hand I thought I might burst from happiness.
We walked out of the theater and Brett looked at his watch. “We still have an hour before you have to go home, do you want to walk around town for a while?”
“Sure,” I smiled. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
We hadn’t walked very far when Brett pointed to a diner lit up down the street. “They have the best pancakes I’ve ever had. Are you hungry?”
I wasn’t, but I nodded, because if Brett wanted pancakes then we were going to have pancakes.
He grinned and pulled me into the diner. His smile was wide as he looked at me across the table. We placed our order and as soon as the waitress was gone Brett started asking me questions.
We spent the next forty minutes laughing about random things that happened in school and stories from our past.
Brett paid for our meal and we headed back to his car.
On the drive home he kept a tight hold on my hand. His was warm and soft. Comforting.
“I want to do this again…if you’d like that.” He bowed his head, as if he seemed unsure of what my reaction would be.
“I’d love it.” I probably agreed a little too eagerly, but it was too late to take my words back.
He grinned. “Good.” He parked in my driveway and I started to get out of the car, but his hold on my hand tightened and he wouldn’t let go.
“Rachael?”
“Yeah?” I turned back around to face him and our faces were only inches apart. In the dim light I could see his pupils dilate.
He tilted his head to the side and closed his eyes.
I did the same and when our lips connected I felt like a fireworks explosion had gone off in my body. Kissing a guy had never felt this…magical. I melted against his touch. I grasped his shirt in my hand, moving my lips with his. When his tongue nudged my lips they parted with a gasp.
He pulled away and placed a tender kiss on my cheek.
“See you later, Rachael.”
“Bye.” My voice came out sounding breathless.
I eased out of the car with shaking legs, looking at him over my shoulder. I knew that something had changed between us tonight and there was no going back—I didn’t want to.
I shook my head, coming back to reality. I hoped Cade didn’t notice me zoning out, but since he was just easing into the car I figured I was safe.
He looked over at me and smiled. “You look beautiful, Rae.”
“Thanks,” I squeaked.
Despite my demands that this not be a date it was really starting to feel like a date.
Cade backed out of the parking space and headed off campus.
I didn’t bother asking him where we were going, because I doubted he’d tell me. The day at the carnival I remembered a mention of burgers.
Cade reached over and fiddled with the radio. “What kind of music do you like?”
“This is fine,” I told him. “I’m not picky.”
Cade nodded and tapped his long fingers against the steering wheel. He hummed the song softly under his breath.
I sat back in the seat and looked out the window. I hadn’t gone exploring yet, but the town surrounding campus looked surprisingly quaint.
“Do you like it here?” Cade asked, breaking the silence between us. “College?”
I shrugged and then nodded. “Yeah, I do. It’s nice being on my own.” Not being judged. Having a real life.
“I probably shouldn’t admit this,” those dimples popped out in his cheeks when he smiled, “but I had trouble my first year away. I real
ly missed my mom’s cooking,” he chuckled.
“Yeah, the food on campus is a bit…” I wrinkled my nose.
“Lacking?” He supplied.
“That’s a nicer word for it,” I laughed, tucking a stray curl behind my ear. “I drive Thea crazy because I eat cereal for most of my meals. But the food looks so gross.”
“It doesn’t taste much better than it looks,” he winked. That wink made my stomach stir in ways it never had before. “Don’t worry though, where we’re going you won’t be eating cereal. Get ready to feast upon the best burger of your life.” Ducking his head slightly he chuckled. Lifting his hands from the steering wheel he held them apart. “I swear they’re this big. About the size of your head.”
“Are you implying I have a large head?” I kept my face neutral so he wouldn’t know I was joking.
“I didn’t mean—wait, you’re messing with me aren’t you?”
Of course my lips had twitched, giving me away.
“Yeah.”
“Wow,” he chuckled.
“What?” I asked, tilting my head slightly in wonder at his statement.
“It’s just…I don’t think I’ve heard you make a joke. It’s refreshing.” He gave me a serious look before returning his eyes to the road. “You’re full of surprises, Rae.”
“Something tells me you are too,” I countered. “Everyone has secrets.”
A muscle in Cade’s jaw twitched. “Yes, yes they do.”
***
“Marty!” Cade cried when we walked into the restaurant. I stood awkwardly behind him as he addressed the older man I assumed was Marty. “Long time no see. I’ve missed you.” Cade slung his arm around the man’s shoulders and turned to introduce me. “Rae, this is Marty the owner of this fine establishment. Marty, this is Rae.”
“A girlfriend?” Marty’s fuzzy gray brows shot up so far they disappeared beneath his bushy gray hair. “You’ve never brought a girl here before.”
“I’m not his girlfriend,” I growled.
Cade gave Marty a sad look. “Unfortunately the lovely Rae here doesn’t like me that way. Such a shame, right? We could be great together.”
Marty chuckled and looked at me. “I can understand not liking this goon. He can be a bit much.”
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