Meredith scowls, obviously not happy that Toby talked to us.
I smile back at Toby. “Thanks.” Meredith continues to scowl at me long after Toby turns away, so I smile and wave.
“Wow,” Tori says. “You really pissed her off. Nice going.”
“Thanks.” I still hate that she’s hanging all over Toby, but I do feel some satisfaction from making her squirm.
By lunch my smile is gone, though.
Tori sits down across from me. “Not so happy anymore, I see.”
“My day has been boring, tedious, and dull.”
“You do know they all mean the same thing, right?”
“Yup. But one word didn’t seem to cut it.”
She digs into her pizza. “You not eating?”
“I’m waiting for the line to die down.”
“I saw Toby near the front. If you can stand having to talk to him, you could jump in line with him.”
I like that idea. On second thought…”Is Meredith with him?”
“Nope. Little Miss Stalks-A-Lot got called down to the guidance office.”
I get up, trying not to seem too happy. “Be right back.” I walk up to the line and motion to Toby. He waves me forward, and a few people give me looks.
“It’s cool, guys. I was saving her spot.” Toby smiles at them, and they let it go. It pays to be known in this school.
“Thanks.”
“No problem. Hey, sorry about this morning with Meredith.”
“I think I handled it well.”
“You did. She was fuming all the way to first period, and when I turned her down for a date tonight, her face got about thirteen shades of red.”
“You weren’t mean about it, were you?” I’m not sure why I care, but I do.
“No. I told her I’m into someone else and I don’t want to lead her on.”
“That’s good. She deserves to know she doesn’t have a shot.”
He looks out into the lunchroom. “So, is my sister still in her cheery mood?”
I make sure no one is watching us before I lean in and whisper, “Actually, she told me you were in a very good mood this morning. So good it was annoying.”
“By any chance did she tell you that because you were acting the same way?”
I smile. “Maybe.”
“Not willing to confirm or deny. I see how it is.” His fingers lightly brush the back of my hand.
We’re next in line, so I step forward and grab a salad and orange juice. Toby loads up his tray and we both pay. As soon as we’re out of the line we have to make believe we don’t like each other as anything more than acquaintances. Not that we were exactly pawing at each other before. I head to my table and sit down.
“How’s my brother? Still annoying?”
“He says hi.”
“I’m sure he does. Stop trying to make us get along.”
I eat my salad, not saying a word. If Tori won’t try to get along with Toby, how am I going to make her okay with the idea of me dating him?
“Whoa, what happened to her?”
I look up to see what Tori’s talking about. Meredith is standing in the doorway of the cafeteria, eyes red and books clutched to her chest. She doesn’t look anything like her usual self, and I know why.
“Um, Toby told her he wasn’t interested in her.”
“What?” Tori’s eyes widen. “How is that possible? He’s walking around all happy like he’s majorly crushing on someone. It has to be Meredith.”
“Why do you say that? There are tons of girls in this school.”
“They’re perfect for each other. Who else can it be?” Her eyes scan the cafeteria like she’s trying to figure out who the mystery girl is. If only she knew I’m sitting right in front of her.
“You hate Meredith. Why would you say she’s perfect for Toby? You should be happy they aren’t together.”
“But then why the obnoxiously good mood?”
I shrug, trying to play it cool. “Maybe he’s dating someone else.”
“You think he’s dating someone?” She shakes her head. “No way. He tutored you on a Friday night. Then he watched movies with us and Ryder. If he was dating someone, he would’ve been out with her.” She stops and drops her slice of pizza. “Unless…”
Oh God, did she put it all together?
She leans forward. “He came home last night with rainbow sprinkles on him.”
“So?”
“So, Toby doesn’t like rainbow sprinkles.”
He does now. “Maybe his tastes changed. You two don’t exactly spend a lot of time together. It’s possible he likes rainbow sprinkles now and you just don’t know about it.”
“Why are you babbling?”
I shove a forkful of lettuce in my mouth.
She shakes her head at me and continues. “Anyway, I bet he was out with this mystery girl last night.”
“You don’t know that. And even if he was, there’s no way to find out who she is.”
“Of course there is. We already know she likes rainbow sprinkles.”
“Great. That’s probably ninety percent of the female population of this school.” I roll my eyes, but on the inside, I’m shaking. She’s not going to let this go.
“I’ll figure it out.”
“Why do you care? If you two don’t get along, why does it matter who he dates?”
“Because if he’s not telling me, there has to be a reason.”
Crap. Tori in sleuth-mode isn’t good. “Why don’t you ask him?” He’s a much better liar than I am.
“I’ll find out. Don’t worry.”
Oh, I will worry. A lot.
***
Toby laughs and his shoulders bob up and down.
“It’s not funny. She isn’t going to let this go, you know.”
“What’s she going to do? Have me followed?”
“You think she would?” I look at the space under the bedroom door. Would she stoop to spying? No, she has no reason to suspect me. Not yet anyway.
“I’ll make up some fake girl if you want me to.”
“I don’t want you to have to do that.”
“Then relax. Besides, right now, we’re in here with the door closed.” His face inches closer to mine.
I press my hand to his chest and gently push him away. “And she can barge right in at any time. She’s done it before.”
“I locked the door.”
I jump up. “You can’t. That will make her suspicious.”
He reaches for my hands and pulls me back down. “She doesn’t suspect anything between us. Besides, if she tries to come in, I’ll pretend the lock’s been sticking.”
“Why are you so good at lying?” It’s not very comforting.
“I’m not. I just don’t want to see this get ruined before it has a chance to really start.”
I smile and ease back against the headboard.
He pulls me toward him, but he doesn’t kiss me or put his arm around me.
“You’re worried too. You’re trying to pretend you’re not, but you are.”
“Why do you think that?” he asks.
“Because you were going to kiss me just now, but you stopped yourself.”
He lowers his head. “Maybe we should study someplace else. Somewhere she isn’t.”
“And how would we explain that?”
“You’re right, and we aren’t going to get privacy anywhere else.”
I shift so I’m facing him. “Maybe we should—” Before I can say it, I already know I can’t go through with it. I’m in too deep already. I’ve been crushing on Toby for three years. He’s not some random guy I saw and thought was cute. I know him like I’d know my best friend. Only he’s not my best friend. Tori is. And she’s standing between us.
“You don’t want to end this, do you?”
It’s like he can read my mind lately. Why are we so in sync but he and Tori—the twins—are so different and rarely on the same train of thought? “I don’t want to end this.
You know I don’t. I just don’t know what to do. It shouldn’t be this hard.”
“I have an idea.”
“What?” I’m willing to listen to any and all ideas right now.
“What if we stop looking at this as a bad thing?”
“I’m not following you.”
He turns and traces circles on the back of my hand. “What if we turn this into something fun? See how many times we can sneak out together without getting caught. How many times we can kiss with Tori just two doors away.”
“You want to turn us dating into a game?” I have to admit it does sound like fun.
“If we have to sneak around, we might as well enjoy it.” He wags his eyebrows.
I playfully smack his chest, but he grabs my hand and pulls me in for a kiss. His hand weaves through my hair and cups the back of my head so I can’t get away, not that I’m trying to. His kiss is hungry. Apparently, sneaking around can be fun, and this is a kind of fun I can get used to.
The doorknob rattles, but this time, when Toby and I pull apart, we both smile. Tori is locked out, and we already have an excuse. I pull him toward me, kissing him quickly before he goes for the door. He smiles in approval. I fix my hair as Tori yells, “What the hell? Open up.”
I stifle a laugh as Toby jiggles the handle. “Hang on. It must be stuck or something.” Finally, he opens it. “Got it.”
Tori steps into the room and stares at the doorknob. “You should have Dad fix that.”
“Yeah, I will. Definitely.” Toby winks at me as Tori turns toward me.
“You finished yet? I need you to proofread my English essay.”
“Yeah.” I slide off the bed and gather my books, putting them away as if I wasn’t just kissing my best friend’s brother. Maybe I can get used to sneaking around. I smile at Toby as I follow Tori out of the room. “Thanks again for helping me.”
“Any time.” He tickles my side, and I have to bite my bottom lip to keep from giggling.
“How can you study on his bed?” Tori asks as we walk into her room.
I throw my bag down. “Why not? He only has one chair in his room.”
“Maybe you should study in the living room.”
“Nah. We’re fine. I’d be too distracted with your parents coming home and stuff.”
“Whatever. If you can stand it, then more power to you.” She hands me her essay, but before I can start reading it, she says, “I have a mission for you anyway.”
“A mission?” What’s she up to now?
“Yeah. Since you’re in Toby’s room every night studying, you’re the perfect person to figure out who his mystery girl is.”
My throat tightens. “You’ve got to be kidding. He’s not going to tell me who he’s dating.”
“Sure he will. You’ll think of some way to get it out of him.”
Except somehow I think she’ll object to me making out with him. Especially when it’s to get my own name out of him.
Chapter 11
My cell vibrates on my nightstand.
Toby: You asleep?
I smile, thinking about my evening with Toby.
Becca: No, I’m still up.
Toby: How was the rest of your night?
Becca: Fine. Except your sister has a mission for me.
Toby: Hang on. I’m going to call you.
Probably better. This is too much to discuss in a text. I answer on the second ring, so I don’t seem too eager. “Hey.”
“Hey.” The sound of his deep voice brings butterflies to my stomach. “So what does she want you to do?”
“Find out who you’re dating.”
He laughs. “Well, that won’t be too difficult.”
“It’s not funny. What am I supposed to tell her?”
“That you couldn’t stay away from me any longer. It’s completely understandable.”
I can picture the smirk on his face. “Keep it up and I’ll tell her you and Ryder are secret lovers.”
“Touché.”
“Seriously, what should I tell her?”
“Tell her you’re not a spy. You don’t feel right snooping around in my private life, and it’s none of her business anyway.”
“Sometimes I think you two aren’t really related. Any chance one of you was switched at birth?”
“Tori keeps trying to prove it, but so far no luck.”
I yawn and look at the clock. Eleven-thirty.
“Go to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Without Meredith attached to your arm? I might not recognize you.”
“Ha-ha. Goodnight, Becca.”
“Night.” I know he’s right. I should tell Tori it’s none of her business who Toby is dating. But considering it’s me, that isn’t exactly true. Tori or Toby? How do I choose between them? There has to be a way to keep them both. I fall asleep, wondering if I’ll ever get this sorted out.
***
“Check it out. My brother is actually walking down the hall without an entourage.”
“Leave him alone.” I put my books in my locker and grab my Spanish notebook. I totally forgot to study for our quiz today.
“I will as soon as you find out who he’s dating.” She pauses, and a smile spreads across her face. “Unless it’s someone totally gross and I can torture him about it.”
“Why?” I slam my locker shut. “Why do you have to pick on him?”
“What happened to Suzie Sunshine? I actually prefer her to”—she gestures the length of my body—”whatever this is.”
“Nothing happened. I’m just tired of you two fighting. I’m at your house all the time. I grew up with you guys. It’s annoying to constantly be in the middle of you two.”
“Why would you be in the middle? You’re my best friend. Not his. We have different friends for a reason.”
“What about Friday night? We all hung out together.”
“That was different. Toby was actually being decent and hooking me up with Ryder. He probably wants something. You just watch.”
“Whatever.” I steal her line and adjust my shoulder bag. “You ready to go to class?”
“No, but I guess we have to.”
Toby walks by us, but before I can say hi or even hope he’ll stop to talk, two girls step between us and flank him on both sides.
“Look at that. It’s like the girls have radar or something.”
“I’m starting to see what you mean.” I better figure this out soon because I can’t keep watching other girls hang all over him.
“It’s about time.” She loops her arm through mine, and we walk to class.
I barely pass my Spanish quiz. Senora Gomez gives me a sympathetic look. I normally do really well in her class, and apparently she heard I was sick this past weekend. She even tells me I can take a make-up exam if I’d like. I don’t want to use my fake sickness to better my grade, but I can’t exactly admit to faking either, so I agree to come in early on Thursday and retake the quiz.
By lunch I feel really guilty, but that’s quickly replaced with feelings of jealousy. Toby is sitting with Ryder and Jeff and a slew of girls.
“Why are you squeezing your sandwich to death?” Tori asks, pointing to the peanut butter oozing through my fingers.
“Oh.” I put it down and wipe my hands on a napkin.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. Didn’t do so well on my Spanish quiz. I guess I’m just stressed.” I crumble the napkin and stand up. “I should go wash this off.”
“Just don’t go beating up the paper towel dispenser. It didn’t do anything to you.”
“Funny.” I roll my eyes and head to the bathroom across the hall. I stare at my reflection, not sure why Toby wants to be with me anyway. Everything about me screams average—my height, my brown hair, my brown eyes, my build. A lot of those girls at his table are prettier than me, and I don’t get the grades he does.
I throw my paper towel in the garbage and walk out of the bathroom.
“Hey,” someone whispers from the
hallway on my left.
I turn and see Toby poking his head around the corner. He waves me on. I check to make sure no one is looking and duck down the hall. “What are you doing?”
He pulls me into an empty classroom and shuts the door. “This.” He presses his lips to mine, his arms wrapping around my waist.
I can’t think. My mind is mush. My hands press against his chest as he holds me tighter. He pulls his head back just enough to look at me.
“Sorry. I’ve been dying to do that since I saw you this morning.”
“Before or after those girls swept you down the hall?”
He cocks his head. “Are you jealous?”
Damn it. “No.”
He smiles. “Yes, you are. Becca, you know I’m into you. I don’t care about those girls. Besides, as soon as baseball starts, they’ll all be swarming Marcus Teeman.”
I know he’s right. All those girls care about is who’s the hottest guy at the moment. They’ll drop Toby in a heartbeat once Marcus is in uniform. “I was only busting on you. I’m fine.”
“Good.”
He really needs to stop saying that. “I should go or Tori’s going to come looking for me. I strangled my peanut butter sandwich, and she was afraid I might vandalize the girls’ bathroom too.”
“Pent up aggression, Daniels?”
“A little.” I smile and kiss him quickly before skirting out of his arms. “See you later?”
“I am your tutor, aren’t I?” He smiles. “Got to keep up appearances.”
I wave and walk out of the classroom before I can’t convince myself to leave. I peek around the corner to make sure no one is coming. Then I practically run down the hall. The door to the girls’ bathroom opens, and Tori steps out.
“Hey,” she says.
I turn and look at her, trying to cover up how much I’m shaking.
“Where did you go?”
“Um, I forgot I left something in Spanish this morning. I went back to the classroom to get it.”
“Why’d you go that way? It’s like twice as long.”
“I saw the security cop, and I didn’t have a pass.”
“You didn’t see Toby, did you? I saw him leave the cafeteria.”
Crush: A YA Romance Collection Page 98