Meg: Slept in. Can’t wait to see you later.
He’s at practice, which means any of the guys could pick up his phone or at the very least be there to read my text when Ash opens it. I don’t want to use the L-word or say anything too mushy.
I put the phone down and eat my cereal. Just as I take the last bite, my phone beeps with a message. I grab it, thinking Ash is taking a bathroom break.
Got plans for today?
It’s not Ash. I don’t recognize the number at all. I text back.
Who is this?
Guess.
Noah? No, he doesn’t have my number. My fingers hover over the keys, not knowing how to respond.
Noah: It’s Noah.
Why is Noah texting me? Sure we’ve been hanging out, but only at the courts. We’ve never called each other or anything.
Meg: How did you get my number?
Noah: I have my ways. How’s your head?
I haven’t even thought about it. My late night swim with Ash sort of cured all my ailments.
Meg: Better.
Noah: Good. Let’s go to the water park.
Is he asking me out? He knows I’m with Ash. I can explain being at the tennis courts with Noah since he’s the best player on the guys’ team, but going to a water park?
Noah: What, do you have plans already?
Yes, I do. Gray and I have to practice, and I promised Ash I would go watch the Football Challenge tonight.
Meg: Kind of.
Kind of? Why did I text that? What the hell is Noah doing to me? It’s like my brain shuts off when I talk to him.
Noah: Pick you up in twenty.
It isn’t a question. He’s not asking me to go out with him. He’s telling me he’s on his way to pick me up. On his way here. My house. My mind is mush right now. A week ago I didn’t think Noah knew my name. Now, he knows my cell number and where I live. How is this happening?
I snap out of my mind melt and realize I’m not dressed to go to a water park. I race back upstairs and throw on a bathing suit. Instantly, my late night swim with Ash comes to mind. I should text Noah and cancel. This is a huge mistake. Ash isn’t going to understand this. Grayson isn’t going to understand this. Hell, I don’t understand this. What is it about Noah that draws me in? There’s something there, but I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe if I can figure out what it is, I can actually be his friend and this stupid crush would go away.
A car beeps, and I rush to the window. Noah’s black Camry is in the driveway. Damn it. I can’t back out now; he’s already here. I throw jean shorts and a tank top over my bikini and run a comb through my hair. Then I shove my cell in my pocket and run to the front door, stopping to take a deep breath before opening it. Last chance. I could text Noah back and say I’m not home. Tell him I have plans with Ash. I want to cancel on Noah. I do. But then I’ll never figure this out. I’ll never get over him.
My hand turns the doorknob, acting on its own. Noah is leaning against the passenger side door. His outfit is the perfect combination of sporty and…I force my mouth to close. Staring at Noah, it all makes sense—why I can’t stop seeing him. Why I keep reading more into things than what’s really there. Why I’m hiding things from Ash and Grayson. Noah isn’t just the guy I’ve had a crush on for years. He reminds me of my ex-boyfriend, Derrick. The first guy I ever thought I loved. The guy who cheated on me with that freshman transfer, Stacy Leeman. The guy who broke my heart into a million pieces. As Noah waits for me by the car, I notice every similarity between him and Derrick. The dirty blond hair with the messy-on-purpose look. The deep blue eyes. The confidence oozing from every part of his body. I’m in trouble.
Making this connection should send me running back into the house, locking the door behind me, but my legs move toward Noah. I lost Derrick, and I never really got over it. It’s hard to forget the guy who cheated on you and humiliated you in front of the entire school. Hanging out with Noah somehow gives me back something I lost sophomore year. Something Derrick took from me. But it still isn’t right. I don’t want to hurt Ash just to get my self-esteem back in check.
“Hey, gorgeous.” Noah smiles at me, and I can’t help thinking I’m not imagining things between us. Maybe he really does like me. I wrack my brain, trying to remember him calling anyone else gorgeous. One of his friends? Nope. Can’t remember a single time in my two years of drooling over him.
“Um, what’s with the sudden urge to go to the water park?” I’m trying to keep my voice steady, but it’s not easy when he’s looking at me like I’m the only girl on the planet. He opens the car door for me and only moves aside enough for me to squeeze in. My entire left side brushes against him as I slide into the seat. My breath catches in my throat, but not before I get a good whiff of his scent. I’m not sure what kind of cologne he’s wearing, but it might as well be called Swoon, because that’s what it’s making me do right now.
“I figured it’s a beautiful day and your last day of freedom before tryouts. You deserve a little fun.” He shuts my door and walks around to his side, getting in the seat next to me. “Plus,” he eyes me in the sexiest way possible, “I have a feeling you look amazing in a two-piece.”
That’s it. I’m a goner. I have to get out of this car. Right. Now.
Noah starts the engine and peels out. Dad’s going to freak if there are tire marks on his driveway. I quickly fasten my seat belt. Ash likes to drive fast, but nothing like this. “Too fast for you?” Noah asks.
Definitely, and not just his driving. All of this. His sudden interest in me. Us hanging out together.
“Are you trying to set a record or something?” I laugh. God, I hope he can’t tell how uncomfortable I am.
He licks his lips, and I melt into my seat. I have to stop looking at him like this. He’s not Derrick. He’s not here to make me feel better about being cheated on two years ago. And what I’m doing now is almost as bad. Sure, I haven’t kissed Noah or done anything else with him, but I’m convinced he’s not thinking this is just two friends going to the water park together. This is a date. At least in his mind.
“You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?” Noah turns to meet my eyes.
I’ve totally zoned out. “Oh, sorry. I spaced for a minute.”
“Thinking about Ash?”
I relax a little when he mentions Ash. He’s acknowledging that I have a boyfriend, so maybe I’m freaking out over nothing. “Um, kind of. I promised I’d go watch the Football Challenge tonight.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll have you back in plenty of time.”
Even though he’s saying all the right things—friendly things—I have to be sure he sees this as an innocent outing. I can’t spend the entire day with him, wondering if he thinks this is a date. It will drive me crazy. “Why did you ask me to come with you today?”
He shrugs. “I thought it would be fun.”
Fun in a “two friends hanging out for the day” kind of way or fun in a “making out under the waterfall” kind of way? “So, we’re just having fun…as friends. Is that it?” Boy, I sound like a dork.
He laughs, a soft laugh that brings out the dimple on his cheek. “Do you always question things this much?”
Yes. “Do you have a favorite ride?” I ask, changing the subject from my extreme lameness to the water park.
“Tube Mountain, definitely.”
My eyes light up. “I love that one! Grayson and I always race to the bottom.”
“She’s the one you were playing tennis with, right?” Wow, he really does live in his own little popular bubble.
“Yeah.”
He nods. “You hang out with some interesting people.”
What does that mean? I wait for him to continue, hoping he’ll explain what he means in a way that’s not totally insulting to me and my friends.
“I didn’t mean to offend you. It actually says a lot about you. You don’t discriminate.”
“I don’t discriminate?” I twist in my seat to see h
im better. I’m trying to get some sort of read off his expression, but his eyes are glued to the road, and he’s not giving anything away.
“Yeah. You don’t care if someone is a jock, a nerd, or part of the popular crowd.”
No, I don’t. “I like having friends who are different. They’re more fun to be around.”
“Yeah, but you don’t fit into their groups. That must be tough. Not really belonging anywhere.”
“I think I fit in with the tennis crowd.”
“I’m part of the tennis crowd, and we only started talking a week ago.” He still isn’t looking at me, and I don’t know what to make of any of this.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying it’s nice that you care more about the person than what group they belong to, but that kind of leaves you the odd girl out.”
He does have a point. I’m not friends with any of Grayson’s other friends. They’re all into art—painting, sculpting, that kind of stuff. Not at all my thing. And Ash’s friends are all football players and cheerleaders. I don’t fit in there either. The tennis girls are great, but outside of the courts, we don’t hang out.
“You okay?” Noah asks.
“Yeah. I guess I never really looked at it that way. It makes sense though.”
“If you want a crowd to hang with, I can help you.” He turns slightly, looking at me out of the corner of his eye.
“You mean hang out with you and your friends?”
“May as well aim for the top, right?” There’s that confidence again. He knows I want what he’s offering. “If you’re going to choose a crowd, it should be the best.”
“So, are you inducting me into your group or something? Is that what this is?” I can’t deny I’m tempted. Being part of the popular crowd would make senior year a lot more memorable.
“I guess you could look at it that way.” His dimple is back. “I’ll steer you in the right direction. Show you who you should stop spending so much time with.”
“Grayson?” I can’t ditch Gray, not even to be part of Noah’s clique.
“You two are lifers. I get that.”
“Then who?” The only other person I’m always with is Ash.
Noah raises an eyebrow. He doesn’t need to say Ash’s name. We both know that’s who he’s talking about.
Chapter Three
For a moment, I’m too shocked to say anything. Is Noah really saying I shouldn’t be with Ash? As far as I know, Noah has never hung out with Ash. He doesn’t know him at all. How dare he even hint at me breaking up with him?
“Look, I’m sure he’s a nice guy, so don’t get me wrong. You two just don’t go together.”
If Noah didn’t sound so sincere, I’d jump out of the car, moving and all, but he has this look on his face like he’s concerned for me. “I don’t get it. What are you saying?”
“He’s not part of the crowd you belong in.”
I don’t have a crowd at all. I thought that was the whole point of this conversation. “What’s wrong with the football players? Ash is the quarterback and the captain. He can’t get any higher up than that.”
“Sure, but when you’re the captain of a team that sucks, it doesn’t amount to much.”
I open my mouth to defend Ash, but the truth is, the team is awful. Only a handful of guys can actually play. The rest are just there to say they’re part of the sport. Treemont has never really had a good football program, no matter how much the coaches push and make the guys practice.
“Ash is good. If he had more than one good receiver, maybe—”
Noah holds his hand up in defense. “Hey, I’m not trying to dis your boyfriend. I’m just saying you could do better.”
Now, I wish I didn’t agree to go with him. This is a mistake. “You don’t even know me—or Ash. How can you say I can do better?”
“I know you don’t have good taste in guys.” He glances at me quickly before turning into the water park. He parks the car in the rear lot and cuts the engine.
I sit there and debate calling a cab to take me home. I don’t want to be here anymore. I don’t want to listen to him criticize Ash or my taste in guys.
“Look,” Noah unhooks his seat belt and turns to me, “I know what happened between you and Derrick.”
Of course he does. Just about the entire school knows about that. “So?”
“So, that kind of proves you aren’t great at picking guys to date. Although,” he smiles, a warm smile that makes his eyes light up, “you are here with me now, so there’s hope for you yet.”
I want to be angry. I want to tell him to leave me alone. But he’s looking at me like I’m…well, like I’m someone he could see himself dating. Before I know it, I’m turning red, judging by the warmth in my cheeks.
“Come on. Let’s go have fun. School starts in a week and summer will be officially over. You can worry about who to hang out with then. For now, let’s enjoy the present company.”
I’m still not sure about any of this, but it’s like I have no control over my actions. My brain says one thing, and my body does another. It’s taking all my effort to stay glued to the seat.
“Don’t make me throw you over my shoulder and carry you in there. I’m getting that race down Tube Mountain one way or another.” His teasing tone, combined with the dimple on his cheek, does me in.
“Carry me over your shoulder? Now I know you’re just being cocky.”
“Oh, really?” He gets out and keeps his eyes locked on me as he walks around the front of the car and opens my door. “Come on.” He motions me toward his outstretched arms.
“No way. You’re crazy.” I playfully smack his hands away, but he dives into the car and grabs me around my waist. I’m laughing so hard I can’t fight him. He pulls me out, crouching down low so that I’m draped over him. I’m not sure how he manages to get my seat belt off and me over his shoulder, but he does. He shuts the door, locks the car, and heads to the ticket booth.
Everyone is staring at us. “Okay, you’ve made your point. You can put me down now.”
“Not until we’re inside. I’m not trusting you to cooperate.” He pays admission for both of us, making it feel even more like a date.
“Hey, I have money on me, you know.”
“Where? In your bikini top?”
I smack his shoulder. “No! The back pocket of my shorts.”
“Is that an invitation to help myself?” Without seeing his face, I know the dimple is back.
“Don’t even think about it. Now, put me down.”
“Yeah, Noah, put her down.” I turn my head to see Emma Ryerson, one of Noah’s friends. She glares at him accusingly. “You didn’t call me back.”
“I was busy.” He sets me down and I fix my tank top, which is bunched up, exposing my mid-drift.
Emma eyes me and smirks. “I see that. Who’s your friend?” I’m not surprised she doesn’t know my name. We’ve gone to school together our whole lives, but to people like her, I just don’t exist.
“You know Meg Flannigan.” Noah gives me a wink.
“Not really. You two have been hanging out, huh?” Emma asks.
“Coach begged me to help her improve her game.”
I smack his arm. “Whatever, you big liar.”
“Cute.” Emma looks back and forth between us. “So, you guys want to hang with us?” She motions to the concession stand behind her where the rest of Noah’s clique is throwing out their trash. “We were about to hit Tube Mountain.”
Noah wags his eyebrows at me. “What luck? That’s where we’re heading.”
Hanging out with Noah and his friends is more than a little intimidating, but after the uncomfortable car ride and the suggestion that I break up with Ash, a group outing—because this is not a date—is definitely a smarter idea.
“Sounds good to me.” I smile at Emma, who’s still staring at me.
The rest of Noah’s friends join us, making a group of six. Noah goes through the introductions, not tha
t it’s necessary. I know who each of them is. Nathan is on the tennis team with Noah. Tyler is the best golfer at Treemont High. And Lindsey is the star sprinter. I can’t help thinking that Ash, being the best football player, should fit in with them, but he doesn’t. These guys are in their own little world. A world where they make the rules and everyone bows at their feet. A world I’ve never been a part of before today.
We head to the locker rooms and change out of our clothes. I check my phone and see there’s a text from Ash.
Ash: For some reason, I miss you extra today. I blame last night.
I check the time of the text. Ten minutes ago. That means I was either draped over Noah’s shoulder or agreeing to spend the day with the popular crowd. Either way, the worst girlfriend award goes to me.
I text him back.
Meg: Same here. See you tonight.
“Ready?” Emma asks. She sees I’m texting and looks over my shoulder. “Who are you talking to?”
“My boyfriend.” God, I hate that my voice is so small right now.
She cocks her head at me. “Boyfriend?”
“Asher Davidson.”
She narrows her eyes like she’s confused. “But you and Noah are hanging out.”
“Yeah, but we’re just friends.”
She puts one hand on my shoulder and sighs. “Noah doesn’t want to be just friends. You know that, right?”
I don’t know what to say. She only ran into us a few minutes ago. How could she know how Noah feels about me? “Did he say something to you?”
“He doesn’t need to. I’ve known him forever. I know when he likes a girl, and he has his eye on you.”
I shrug and put my phone in the locker, shutting the door. “He knows I’m with Ash. He doesn’t seem to care.”
“I didn’t say he cared. Noah doesn’t let anything or anyone stop him from getting what he wants.”
“I’m not a prize or something he can win.”
“I guess we’ll see about that.” She turns and walks out, leaving me there with my mouth gaping open. Is this all a game to people like Noah and Emma?
“You coming?” Lindsey asks me, stopping in the doorway.
“Yeah.” I follow her out because I don’t know what else to do right now. A huge part of me is determined to show them they’re wrong about Ash and me. We are just as good as they are. I’m going to make them see that.
Perfect For You Page 2