Right Girl Wrong Timing (Offsides Book 3)

by Natalie Decker

  I laugh. I’m a little nervous too. “Maybe we should make them get the supplies?” But even that sounds risky in my head. See, those three were supposed to be at this meeting too. Rachel canceled at the last second saying she had an important dinner party with her dad. I remember overhearing Layla telling Juliet to cut Rachel some slack because her life isn’t all jewels and glam. Apparently, it’s a lot of spotlights and keeping up appearances. Maybe this is why Rachel is the way she is, who knows. I certainly don’t.

  Zander and Lucas didn’t bother telling me anything. Honestly, they’re probably still in bed. Sleeping off a hangover or something. I saw them yesterday at Tyler’s party, and let’s just say they didn’t even know my name let alone their own.

  I gnaw on the idea a little more. “You know what? Maybe we should just get the supplies.”

  Austin drops his pencil and leans back in his seat. “We could, but this is supposed to be a group effort. We’re supposed to videotape us taking and tackling certain tasks. We’re also supposed to be working as a group in the end. We can’t just come up with an idea, get the supplies, the donations, and build this all without them. We’ll get an F just as easy if we aren’t all participating. You heard Mrs. Martin.”

  “I know. It is a little difficult to get anything done, though, if no one shows up except you and me. And some of us are not on time.” I look up at him.

  He frowns. “Yeah I know I was late. I had to do something for work.”

  “I thought you told me you didn’t have a job anymore.”

  “I got one recently. Don’t give me the look, Ads. I need the money more than I need this grade. It’s bullshit that the school puts so much pressure on us to finish this project or face failure.” I can see the frustration in his eyes. He rakes his fingers through his hair. “Lately, I’ve been on the losing end of things. I’m days away from possibly getting evicted because we’re behind. This project is turning out to be more of a failure than a success. Then there is … never mind.” He shoots his chair out and loads up his things into his backpack.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Back to work. Don’t worry I’ll get things on my end taken care of. You just … take care of your list.”

  Just like that, he disappears. I shouldn’t care, but I do. He opened up and shut me out so fast my head is still spinning. This is why I need to stay away from Austin Reed.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Austin

  I swear I keep digging myself deeper into a hole instead of getting out of it. I made some headway with Adaline and then effed it all up like usual.

  I told her I had to work, but that’s a lie. It’s Sunday, and the shop is closed. I slip inside my house and head toward my room. My mom is sitting at the kitchen table with a stack of bills and a calculator.

  “How is the project coming along?” she asks without looking up at me.

  “It’s not.” I redirect my steps and enter the kitchen instead.

  I place a hand over my mom’s, and she pauses at punching more digits into the calculator. Her eyes meet mine, and I smile. “You know you don’t have to worry about this much longer. I should have enough to cover all this plus this month’s.”

  She looks away. “Honey, I don’t want you to spend most of your school year in the shop. We moved here because it’s cheaper. Plus, if I work enough shifts at the diner, I’ll be able to cover everything, and we’ll still have some left over.”

  “But Mom, you hate that place. You hate this place. We don’t belong here. We belong in our house.” I take a seat next to her. “Don’t you want it back?”

  She sighs. “There aren’t many good memories there. We were constantly struggling. I was unhappy. This isn’t where I want to spend the rest of my life, but it’s okay for now.”

  I can’t believe she’s saying this. It’s like she’s given up completely, and I feel like it’s my fault. She wouldn’t say any of this if we were still in our house and had our crap together. I get up from the table and make my way to the fridge. I open it, and it’s bare. Cupboards are the same.

  “We need to go to the store, I know,” she says from the table. “I wanted to see what I could spend without cleaning us out until my next paycheck.”

  Broke and starving, yeah, I hate this. This life really sucks. I put on my fake “it’s all good” face and go to my room.

  For the next hour, my phone is surprisingly silent, and I’m glad. Not because I want to avoid anyone, I’m just not in the mood to hang out and pretend to be happy. It also gives me a chance to get some homework finished and out of the way.

  But my small bit of silence is broken by a ringtone. It’s not my phone, it’s my mom’s. I know whose special ringer that is too. I can’t believe she talks to him. I throw down my pencil and head over to my door. I open in a small crack and listen in.

  “No. He’s not ready,” My mom says. “I’m happy for you. He doesn’t know about it, though.”

  That gets me bolting from my room. “I don’t know about what?”

  My mom startles. “Jesus. Austin. How long have you been there?” The phone is still against her ear. I can hear mutters coming out of it, but I can’t make out the words. “What is it?”

  She frowns. “You want to talk to him?”

  “No. You tell me. I don’t want anything to do with him. As far as I’m concerned, he’s dead to me.”

  My mom’s eyes water. “Austin. I raised you better than that. Don’t say things like that.”

  “I love you, Mom. But that one can kiss my ass.”

  “He’s getting remarried.”

  That knocks the wind out of me. “What?”

  Chapter Thirty

  Adaline

  I smack the vending machine with my palm. “Oh my God, just fork over my Kit-Kat bar, you murderous, dream-crushing hunk of metal!” I slap the glass again. My Kit-Kat remains wedged in place, and the machine ate my last dollar.

  “Why is this happening today of all days?” I whine to no one in particular. I’m currently having my female moment in life, and chocolate makes it better. Of course, that chocolate would be better in my hand and entering my mouth instead of taunting me behind glass.

  “Hey, Ads. What are you doing?” Austin asks.

  Great. My crappy morning is about to get a whole lot worse. Ugh. I should have stayed home. Cramps are a valid excuse.

  “Go away. I’m not in the mood.”

  “Emmm. Can’t. Sorry. You look like you’re in trouble. I want to offer my services,” he says, flashing me his dazzling smile.

  I want to be annoyed. I sigh. “My candy bar got stuck.”

  Austin laces his fingers together and extends out his arms, creating a sickening cracking noise. “I got this.” He tilts the machine toward him then slams it back. Three items come loose and hit the bottom trap.

  None of them are my candy bar, though. “Nice try. My candy is still in there clinging to the jaws of life.”

  “Hey, don’t give up on my hero status just yet. I still got this.” He pulls out a few dollars and inserts them into the feeder.

  “Austin, stop. Don’t you need that?”

  He glares at me. “What? No.” He presses the numbers and suddenly two Kit-Kats release. He bends down and digs out all the treasures then hands over both bars to me. “You’re welcome.”

  Austin starts to walk away.

  “Hey! I need to pay you back,” I say instead of the thing I should say, which is “Thank you.”

  He laughs. “I don’t need your cash.” He continues to walk backward away from me. “Besides, consider it an early birthday gift. See you in history.”

  I’m about to tell him thank you, but he turns around and takes off. How is it possible that his simple gesture makes me feel like a total ass?

  After school, I spot Austin making his way through the parking lot with a flock of girls trailing not far behind. I keep spying on him until I hear, “Addy, what are you doing?” Layla asks.

  I tur
n my attention to Juliet’s sister and fidget. “N-nothing.”

  “Reeeallly?”

  I say nothing. She can’t catch me in a total lie if I don’t say anything. I feel a burn spread across my cheeks, though. Damn blushing.

  “So, I didn’t catch you zoning out in the parking lot?”

  “Kind of.”

  She gives me a look that says she knows I’m full of it. “Anywho. Are you catching the bus, or would you like a lift?”

  “Uh.” I would like a ride, but Layla is possibly the worst driver on the planet. That’s saying something because my mom is possibly a high contender on this list. Making it a reason I’m glad when my mom forgets to pick me up, and I dread asking her to.

  “Tyler’s driving,” she says as if reading my thoughts.

  Tyler seems like a safe driver, but I don’t want to be stuck as the third wheel again. “I um … ”

  “Ads, get in,” Austin says as he swings open the passenger door.

  “Have a ride,” I finish. Layla smiles.

  “Nice. Have fun,” she says.

  I slide into Austin’s car and shut the door. He slowly pulls out of the parking lot as I get my seatbelt fastened into place. “Thanks for the candy bar and, um, the ride home. You don’t have to keep doing that.”

  “Right. Well, get used to it.”

  What’s that supposed to mean? I’m a little offended now, and I’m not sure why. Possibly how he said that. Possibly the words in general. I am so sick of him looking at me like I’m some kind of spoiled brat.

  “We should talk about the project,” I say.

  Austin remains silent.

  “I was thinking we could pick up the donations. I mean, unless you have to be somewhere.”

  We roll up to a stoplight, and he says, “Actually I do. I can’t help anymore until Sunday.”

  “Wh-what? When were you going to tell me this? Austin, we’ve got nothing started. Just an idea, and that’s not enough.”

  He turns a glare at me. “Adaline, you know sometimes people have more important shit going on than their freaking school work! I get you need this. I do, too, but I need to work a hell of a lot more than dealing with your stupid timelines and schedules!”

  “You know what? I can walk from here. Thanks.” I start to pull open the door.

  “Shut the damn door, now!”

  “Go to hell!” I hop out of his rust bucket and begin walking. Austin can’t move forward unless he plans on breaking the law. I don’t know what possessed me to hop out like I did. I hate walking. On top of that, these shoes are not very comfortable. Like at all. It’s probably a good eight miles to my house too. Again, not the most brilliant idea on my part.

  I’m not very far when a revved-up engine rolls up next to me. The window is down, and he shouts, “Stop being ridiculous! You’re going to make me late.”

  I ignore him and keep walking. I realize I’m acting like a total brat. I’m mad at him, though. He called my schedule stupid. He called my timelines stupid. He’s the one who made me leader. I didn’t want any of this. I knew one way or another I would be forced to work on this whole thing by myself. I thought for once maybe I was wrong, but nope, he proved me right. Asshole!

  I get that he needs to work. He doesn’t seem to understand that it’s not just about the grade on this project that matters. It’s the fact my mom is riding my case about everything. She thinks I’m falling behind, and this right here is making her case for her.

  “You know what? I don’t have time for this. If you want to act like this, fine.”

  I make the mistake of looking over at him. He pulls over and calls someone. “What are you doing? You can leave.”

  “Why? So I look like a total asshole? No! Hey … Can you swing by Sycamore Street?” he says.

  “Who are you talking to?”

  “Your ride. They’ll be here in two minutes,” he answers as he lowers his phone. “I’ll wait until they get here.”

  I fold my arms. “Who was it?”

  “Tyler.”

  I glare at him. “I don’t need you to babysit me.”

  “Don’t tick me off further, Adaline. I’m really not in the mood.”

  I should scream at him. Kick his tires. Something. I won’t. His car would probably fall apart, and that would be all my fault. That’s the last thing I need on my hands.

  Tyler pulls up before I do something I severely regret. Layla looks at me from the passenger seat and says, “Ready?”

  “Yes,” I say and get into the back.

  Tyler glances at me and then faces the road. “I’ve never seen Austin so wound up in all my life, Addy,” he says following with a deep laugh.

  “I didn’t do anything.” It’s a total lie. I know I started the argument by yelling. He is at fault too. Maybe not as much, but again, I’m not going to admit that aloud.

  Tyler takes me to my house. As soon as he pulls us into my driveway, I swing my door open and say, “Thanks.”

  “Hey, Addy. It’s not my business or anything, but Austin is my boy. He cares for ya. Be a little easier on him,” Tyler says.

  I snort. “Tell your boy thanks for leaving me high and dry on this project. It’s bad enough her best friend can’t even bother showing up for anything. Then I got two ghosters, and now Austin is going to be MIA until Sunday. It’s a real kick to my face.”

  Layla and Tyler exchange looks. I hop out and shut the door. I’m done. Everyone can stop thinking I’m the harsh one here. They want to flake off on this, fine by me; I’ll do it all and make it look like they all helped. If those jokers think they’re going to taint my grade, they seriously underestimated me.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Austin

  After work, I’m dog tired. I think about calling Adaline, though, and apologizing. At the same moment, I don’t. She attacked me because I was honest. On top of that, there is the whole Greg thing. I’m not sure if they’re together or not. I mean, she went to Tyler’s party with him. He’s always at her freaking lunch table.

  Screw it. I need to know. I text her.

  Me: U up?

  It’s only 9:00, but you never know. She might already be in bed.

  Ads: Yeah.

  Me: We need to talk.

  Ads: No.

  Me: Yes.

  Ads: No, we do not!

  Me: Yep we do.

  I call her because I can see this is going to be difficult.

  “What do you want?” she snaps off into the phone.

  “Well, snippy, I want to know what time you want to start on Sunday? I can do double the work.”

  “I don’t want your help. I … ” There is a loud screeching sound as if someone was peeling tires happening outside my house. “What was that?” she asks.

  I laugh it off. “The TV. What did you think it was?”

  “It sounded like someone is drag racing.”

  I laugh some more. “Yeah, who’s gonna drag race? Mrs. Cumberman. She’s 90 and has a cane. Although come to think about it, she does have that glint in her eyes that she secretly does donuts in the Swifty parking lot.”

  Adaline is giggling now. “Shut up! No, she doesn’t. She’s a sweet woman, Austin. Does she still have that pet raccoon?”

  “Trouble? Nah he died.”

  “Aww.” She pauses for a second then sighs, “Gosh, you’re good. Distracting me from the fact I am upset with you, well, back to our conversation before you brought up Mrs. Cumberman. I don’t need your help on the project.”

  I peek out the blinds in my room then snap them shut. I walk over to my bed and lay back against the sheets. “Ads, knock it off. You know you need all of us.”

  “Considering no one shows up, no I don’t.”

  “None of them showed again?” I ask.

  “No. I don’t care. I’ve got this covered. Don’t worry, everyone will get a good grade. I just realized I can’t depend on you jerks in order to get a good grade.”

  “All right. Whatever.” I hang up befor
e I say something completely offensive.

  The next few days all I do is school, work, homework, and sleep. I don’t really talk much with my friends aside from the same typical lunch BS. Today is different. Tyler says, “You all right, man?”

  “Fine. Why?”

  “You haven’t given a certain someone a ride home from school.”

  I shrug. “So? I’m not a taxi.”

  Tyler laughs. “Yeah. I know that. I could have sworn from my party that you were into her.”

  I glance away from my lunch and up at Tyler. “Why?”

  “You really want to play this game?”

  “Yeah.”

  “S’up?” Jared says as he drops into a chair next to Tyler. Juliet is beside him. What the heck is she doing over here?

  Did I sit at the wrong table today? I look around the commons. Nope. I’m at the right table. “What’s this?” I ask motioning to Juliet and Jared.

  Jared raises a brow like “duh dude; it’s my girlfriend. What’s wrong with you today?” “She’s allowed to sit with us.”

  “Never mind.” I want to yell “no, she isn’t.” This is my table without the whole relationship crap clouding it. They’ve officially ruined lunch.

  I shove everything in my bag and head into the library.

  I’ve only been in here a few times, and all of those times were to find Adaline. When did I resort to eating my lunch in the library of all places? I walk over to a table in the back and slump down. I eat the rest of my things in peace and catch up on homework, that way I don’t have as much after work.

  As I’m working through my calculus, a strong scent of apples creeps up on me. I turn from my homework, and I see Adaline standing there. Arms folded and scowling, her glare rests on mine. “That’s my table.”

  “I’m not doing this with you. Just sit over there.” I point to the table across from mine.