"What happens to the losers?"
Yeah, looked liked I was going to be paying that off. "The losers have to stuff their bras at the first dance of the year. Really stuff them. Giant boobs. As humiliating as possible." I sighed. Like it wasn't bad enough to be rejected by Tad, I had to publicly embarrass myself on top of that?
"Then I guess Frances and Blue will have to go buy bigger bras."
I blinked. "What?"
He just grinned. Then he put his hands on my shoulders, pulled me over to him, and then he kissed me.
His lips were so soft, like velvet, and his breath smelled like mint. It was the most perfect kiss I'd ever had, and I knew I'd never be the same. Ever.
I guess I needed boys after all. Well, not boys. One particular boy.
I heard a shriek from the other end of the field, and we both turned to see Natalie waving. Frances and Blue were standing next to her, and they didn't look happy.
Tad grinned and slung his arm over my shoulder. "I don't think Blue and Frances are going to like me."
I leaned against him and thought about how perfectly I fit under his arm. "Who cares? They'll get over it. Besides, we ought to thank them. If Natalie wasn't trying to win the bet, she wouldn't have gotten us to go camping and she wouldn't have left with Rand." I looked at him. "We owe her, you know. She suffered with Rand for the entire ride home. Do you have any friends we could set her up with?"
He turned me toward him and slipped his hands around my waist. "I'm not sure I want you around my friends. What if one of them steals you away?"
I linked my hands around his neck and gave him my most brilliant smile. "There's no way."
He grinned. "You sound like you mean that."
"As long as you keep hosing me off, making fun of my clothes and saving me from bees, I'm all yours. Oh, and you have to keep kissing me from time to time." I felt my cheeks heat up. "I like it when you kiss me."
He nodded. "I can live with those terms. Especially the kissing thing." And then he made it clear exactly how easily he could live with the kissing thing.
* * *
Did I tell you this was going to be the best summer ever, or what? Obviously, I'm psychic.
"Who wants watermelon?" I held up a platter as I walked out my back door.
"I'll take some." Tad took the platter from me and carried it to the picnic table where Jack, Martha and my mom were sitting. "Allie's an expert watermelon carver," he said. "You guys are in the presence of greatness."
I grinned at him. How could I not like this guy? Not only did he think I could sing, but everything I did impressed him.
Except when I tried to put too much fertilizer on the raspberries and almost killed them. He wasn't too impressed with that.
What can I say? I'm not an expert. But he likes me anyway, whether I'm dressed up or not. (We did have that discussion, by the way—about why he seemed to disdain me when I tried to look nice. He said that he had been intimidated by me when I was all decked out, and that I was still super cute when I didn't have makeup on. He got a kiss for that comment.)
Tad sat down at the picnic table on the end of the bench, and I climbed in beside him, next to my mom.
I took a bite of one of the burgers, which Jack had cooked. "This is good, Jack."
He smiled at me. "Thanks." It struck me that he had a very kind smile. His eyes were sort of crinkly and warm. "So, when's your first concert, Allie?"
I sort of shuddered. "Next Wednesday. It's not a concert. It's sort of a recital thing."
"Mind if we come?"
I looked at my mom, and she smiled. Then I looked back at Jack. "You want to come?"
"Of course."
"Me too," Martha said.
I stared at her. "Why would you want to come to a boring recital?"
"Because it's cool that you can sing." She sort of looked embarrassed. "But if you don't want me there, I don't have to come."
My mom stepped on my foot, but it was unnecessary. "No, it would be great if you came."
Martha sort of smiled. "Really?"
"On one condition."
"What?" She looked worried, and I almost laughed.
"You let me do your makeup and your hair beforehand. And maybe you can borrow some of my clothes." If Martha was going to start being seen with me in public, I was going to have to do something about her appearance. And her self-confidence. The clothes and makeup would help, but really, it was all about what she had on the inside, and I could tell she needed a boost of girl power. I was still learning, but I was willing to share what I knew.
Her eyes widened. "Really? You'd help me?"
"Help you? You want help?"
She nodded furiously. "That would be awesome. Thanks."
I couldn't believe how happy she looked. Didn't she have any girlfriends to primp and gossip with before heading out? Then I looked at Jack. He was nice, but he was a man. I might not have a dad, but Martha didn't have a mom. "Maybe I'll come to one of your games. You said you play field hockey in the fall?"
"Yes."
Under the table, Tad laced his fingers through mine. "I'm coming on Wednesday too," he said.
I grinned at him. "I figured you might."
"Am I too predictable?"
"No way." I gave him a secret smile that promised a kiss when we were alone.
Not that we were alone much, now that my mom was taking her job as a mom more seriously again. Of course, Jack was usually around too, with Martha, and you know what?
It wasn't half bad.
Not bad at all.
Not that we were a family, by any means, but we were becoming friends. My mom was way happier, making me realize that she really hadn't been happy before, when she was dating all the guys and was never home. Both of us happy with one guy. How funny was that? And we were beginning to build our own home again.
It was a start, and it was okay. Maybe even a little better than okay.
Who'd have guessed?
Excerpt from SMART BOYS & FAST GIRLS
It's Natalie's turn now!
I leaned over and rested my chin on Matt's shoulder, trying to support him. He might be only my fake boyfriend, but I wasn't about to leave him dangling in front of my friends. They thought we were really going out, and I had to treat Matt the way he'd deserve to be treated if he was really my boyfriend. Matt was already uncomfortable with the fake boyfriend thing, and I'd made it worse by making him come out with my friends.
Matt glanced at me, which meant his face was about a quarter of an inch from mine, seeing as how I was still using his shoulder for a pillow. I'd meant it as an expression of solidarity, but now I was sort of enjoying it. It felt good. I don't know why, but it did. So I smiled at him.
He smiled back. Nice teeth. Hadn't realized how white and straight they were. "Did you have braces?" I asked.
"Nope."
"Lucky dog." I'd just gotten my braces off about six months ago. It was so great not to be carrying around a wad of wax anymore.
"I agree," Tad said.
We both looked at Tad. Had Matt also forgotten there were others at the table?
Tad was nodding, and rubbing Allie's shoulder. "I like that Allie and I have stuff to talk about besides running." He smiled at her. "I'm glad you come to my meets, though."
She grinned back. "I know enough to realize that when you win it's a good thing."
He smiled at her "You've figured out a lot more than that. I appreciate it."
Ugh. Sickening.
I tried to catch Matt's gaze to trade vomit expressions, but he was staring at Tad and Allie with a wistful look on his face that caught my gut and wrenched it. Was he thinking of his real girlfriend? Missing her? Wishing she was around so he could whisper sweet little things into her ear?
Suddenly, seeing Tad being so sweet with Allie didn't make me nauseous. It made me sad. I wanted that, too. I really did. And being with Matt, who was dating someone else (even if she did live in London), made me realize exactly how alone I w
as really was.
"Hey, Natalie."
My head whipped up so fast I thought my neck was going to snap. Zach was standing at the end of the table, between Tad and Matt. OMG. "Hi."
Matt twisted around to check out Zach, then he shot me a questioning look.
Great. So he remembered that I had a crush on Zach. I wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or a horrible thing. I couldn't really think, my heart was beating so fast. Zach looked totally cute in a pair of ripped jeans and a loose T-shirt. I could see his biceps peeking out from under his sleeves—those wiry, ripped muscles that runners had.
Matt snorted under his breath and put his arm across the back of my chair. Now he does it? Did he think he was helping my cause or something?
Zach's eyes flickered over Matt's arm, then up to his face. "So, you're the boyfriend?"
"Yep."
Never heard Matt acknowledge the fake boyfriend status so emphatically. Interesting.
"How long have you guys been dating?" Zach asked
"Long enough," Matt said. His arm slipped off the back of my chair and rested on my shoulders.
Long enough for what?
Zach looked at me. "Doesn't sound like it to me. Nat and I had fun at the party last night."
OMG. He'd totally made it sound like we'd been up to something.
Matt's arm tightened around my shoulders. "You mean the team thing?"
Zach winked at me. "Yeah, the team thing." His emphasis on the word team made it totally dear that it hadn't been a team thing at all.
Matt's fingers were digging into my shoulder so hard it almost hurt. Yes, he wasn't my boyfriend in real life, but if he was, this would be a horrible thing to do to him. To me. To both of us. "We didn't, I mean, nothing happened, I mean, it was just a team thing," I stuttered, not liking all the hostile looks from my friends. "I didn't do anything, I swear—"
"We have an extra seat at our table, Natalie," Zach interrupted. "It would be nice to do some team bonding before the race. Talk strategy. It'll be good for you."
He wanted me to join him for dinner? Wow. But I looked at Matt's tight face, and I felt terrible. I couldn't do that to him, but the thought of turning down Zach's invite was awful. What if I never got another one?
"She's fine here." Allie's voice was like ice. Frigid. "We're perfectly capable of prepping her for the race. Her boyfriend is her best inspiration."
Zach shrugged and smiled at me again. "If you change your mind, we're right over there." He pointed to a big booth in the corner, filled with a few other kids from the team. All seniors.
"Um ... okay," I said. "Thanks for the invite. Maybe another time," I added hopefully.
"Good-bye," Allie said pointedly.
Zach gave me a final smile that curled my toes, then he glided away from the table. Was he cool or what?
"What a complete scumbag," Allie spat out.
Tad nodded. "No kidding." He nodded at Matt. "I think you better plan on showing up at Natalie's meet tomorrow. He's making a move on Nat."
He was? Really?
Allie must have read the expression on my face. "Of course he was! He was hitting on you in front of your boyfriend! As if Matt wasn't even there." She shook her head. "Disgusting. I hope he breaks an ankle in the race tomorrow. "
"Allie!" Okay, I could admit that Zach had been kind of a jerk, but he was our best runner. His ankles were off limits to evil thoughts.
Tad was looking at me. "What team party last night?" He shot Matt a look of sympathy.
"Nothing happened with him," I blurted out. "He just made it sound that way." I looked at Matt. "I swear, Matt. He told me it was for team people only and then when I showed up all these other people were there...." My voice faded as I recalled Zach had told me that no one else was allowed so I wouldn't bring my boyfriend. "I didn't realize it was a party, and I swear nothing happened. A bunch of us watched a movie, and that was it." Sure, we weren't actually dating, but I didn't want Matt or anyone else at the table to think I'd cheat on him.
I wasn't like that, but more importantly, Matt deserved better than that.
Matt stared at me for a long time. "I don't enjoy being jerked around."
"I know that! I didn't do anything! I swear it!"
His gaze flicked toward Zach, who was watching us with a smug look on his face while Val leaned against him. "I don't like him enough to let him think he's better than me."
"He already does," Tad said. "Look at that expression on his face. He gives runners a bad name."
Matt locked his gaze on mine. "I have my pride."
I swallowed at the intense look on his face. Matt might be a brainiac, but there was nothing wimpy about the look on his face right now. He was pissed, and he was insulted. In fact, he looked completely tough and sexy, and I suddenly would have bet on him instead of Zach, if they were to meet for a duel at dawn with pistols.
"Is Zach still watching?" Matt asked, not taking his gaze off me.
I glanced at the table. "Yeah." Still sporting that smug look on his face too. Even though he was totally cute, it really did make him look like a jerk.
"Then let's give him something to watch." He curved his fingers around the back of my neck and applied gentle pressure. "Come here."
It took me a split second before I realized what he was going to do. He was going to kiss me, and he was going to make it count. This wasn't going to be like the kiss at the field the other day. This was going to be the real thing.
My heart started pounding and I couldn't catch my breath. And I didn't pull away. I wanted Matt to kiss me. I wanted it more than anything I'd ever wanted in my life.
When Matt lips touched mine, I was sure I was going to faint. They were so soft and warm and begging me to join them. So I kissed him back. I mean, I tried. I wasn't exactly the expert, but I tried to copy what he was doing. Well, I tried for a little bit; after that, I couldn't think. All I could do was taste his lips and feel his breath and try not to fall off my chair.
He finally pulled away, but not very far. His eyes were all smoky and made me all warm. "Apparently, running isn't the only thing you're good at." His voice was husky and gravelly and it made my skin pop up in goose bumps. He brushed his thumb over my lips, and I thought for sure I was going to die right on the spot.
"You, too." Was that my voice? Sounded awfully breathless.
The corner of his mouth curved up. "I'm not good at running."
"Well, you're good at kissing."
He broke into a full grin. "Thanks." He rubbed his thumb over my cheeks, and I melted a little bit more.
"I think that did it," Allie's voice broke into our magic bubble. "Zach's looking pissed, not smug."
Zach. I'd totally forgotten the kiss had been for him. Matt dropped his hand and turned away.
I didn't want him to turn away. I wanted him back. I wanted him to kiss me like that again. And again. And again. At the very least, I wanted him to kiss me until I actually did fall off my chair. Not that it would take much.
"Your hands are shaking." Allie pointed at my water glass, which I'd picked up in an attempt to distract myself. "That must have been some kiss."
Matt and I both looked at my hand, which was very clearly trembling. The water was shivering, and the ice was clinking. I felt my cheeks heat up, and I couldn't look at him.
How totally embarrassing!
Matt said nothing, but he put his arm over the back of my chair and left it there until the food arrived.
Excerpt from PUTTING BOYS ON THE LEDGE
It's Blue's turn now!
I finished sweeping and leaned the broom against the wall. "And what if he tries to kiss me again?"
"You should kiss him," Allie said. "Not a long one. Just a little one, and then cut him off."
Natalie nodded. "Don't push him away too hard. He needs to see that you're worth the chase." When we all gave Natalie a surprised look at her Allie-type advice, she shrugged. "I've been listening to Allie for so long I know what she's g
oing to say."
"Well, okay, that's great advice, but there's one small problem with that." Or rather, one big problem. "I still don't know how to kiss! That was why I didn't kiss him in the first place. Not because I was putting him on The Ledge."
"Who didn't you kiss?" Colin appeared in the doorway of the barn, a big, annoying grin on his face.
Oh, God, I wanted to die right then, right there. Why, oh, why, did he keep walking into our conversations like this? This was completely humiliating.
"Heath Cavendish," Allie announced.
"Allie!" Okay, I was wrong. Now I was completely humiliated.
"Really?" Colin leaned against the doorjamb and folded his arms across his chest, as if he was going to stay and join the conversation. "I can't imagine many girls refuse to kiss Heath. How'd he take it?"
"I don't know," I muttered. "I left."
"You refused to kiss him and then took off?" Colin grinned. "I love it."
I was not getting into this discussion with a boy. "Why are you here? Mom said you weren't coming today."
"Plans changed, so I thought I'd swing by and see if there was anything to do. I could always use the extra cash."
"Well, I'm covering all the chores tonight, so you can leave."
Something flashed in Colin's eyes, then he shrugged. "Fine. I'll see you around, then."
"Wait a sec." Allie jumped off the feed bin and grabbed Colin's arm. "You should stay. We could use your advice."
Was she insane? "No, we can't. He should leave."
"No, no." Allie tugged Colin back into the barn. "Colin, I have a question for you."
I had to feel a little sorry for him. He didn't really look like he wanted to be subject to Allie's interrogation, but he was too nice to reject her. Because he was nice, even if he did have a habit of catching me in embarrassing moments.
"Anyway," Allie continued, "if a guy kissed a girl who'd never kissed before, would he be able to tell?"
Colin narrowed his eyes. "Tell what?"
"That she hadn't kissed before." Allie rolled her eyes in exasperation, while I contemplated pretending to pass out so I would have to be rushed off to the hospital, and therefore spared this incredibly humiliating discussion of my kissing talents.
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