Page 24 of Tell Me Everything
“Adorable.”
We started another game of basketball, and this time Alex and I were on the same team. Throughout the game, it was as if we were on the same wavelength. All it took was one look or nod to get our defence and offense on track. One score followed another.
“Alex and Lena are a power duo.” Lucas laughed.
I couldn't argue with him. Alex and I were pretty strong together. John stuck to me to try and get the ball back. For a little while, I tried to get away from him so I could pass the ball to Alex. Until I felt a hand graze my butt. I dropped the ball and faced him. This time, I'd had enough. The hand on the small of my back wasn’t great, but the hand grazing lower? No.
“Touch me one more time and I'll punch you.”
The scumbag had the nerve to laugh, too. “Don't be so uptight.”
My blood ran cold. I took the ball back and threw it against his face as hard as I could. John grunted in pain.
“It's called sexual touching,” I said, crossing my arms. “When a woman says no, it's no, you dick.”
“Come on, just look at you! Here you are playing all haughty, but you're just a tease.”
Alex walked over. Now I understood why so many people were afraid of him. Not only was he taller than most people, but his gaze was also chilling. In this moment, it was clear that Alex would not hesitate to go for his throat. Although it wasn't me he was sizing up, I felt like running away.
“Let's rephrase that. Next time you touch her,Iwillpunch you. That clearer?”
“Whatever. She's not worth it.”
Without warning, John left the field. Yves, Lucas, and Gauthier gave us questioning looks, but didn't dare get any closer to Alex than necessary. I jumped from one foot to the other. So... Alex had defended me, which was kind of nice. Not many people did, so I was grateful for that. But he still seemed so upset, I didn't know what to do. After a few seconds, Alex turned to me. All traces of danger had disappeared.
“I'll take you home.”
“All right, then. To the Batmobile!”
Alex sniffed. He wassojudging me.
“What?”
“Oh... you prefer the Alexmobile?” I asked. “My bad.”
“You are a strange one, aren’t you?”
“Yep!”
He patted me on the head and headed for the parking lot. I followed him and climbed into the Polo. How was it possible that, even though I hardly knew him, I'd never felt more myselfthan when Alex was with me? I watched his profile as he drove. His skin was glowy, and a strange desire to stroke his cheek went through my mind. No wonder all the girls were falling for him. I felt like my hormones were boiling over when he was near.
“Thank you.”
“What for?”
“For standing up for me, even though he's your friend.”
“Hardly a friend. He's a jerk.”
“Thank you anyway.”
“You're welcome. It’s my pleasure to help pretty damsels in distress.”
I rolled my eyes and smiled. Damsel in distress.My ass.“Don't exaggerate. I was doing fine. I'm a ninja!”
Alex laughed. The atmosphere between us was so light, like nothing had happened. It was a nice change to have a friend who had my back and participated in my stupid jokes. I hadn't had someone like that in my life for ages.
“Remind me never to make you angry.”
