Page 96 of Cheap Shot
“You wanna keep dating Coach’s daughter or not?”
“This is extortion, kid.” I huff a breath—half a laugh, half in defeat.
“I’d like to think of it as a win-win situation,” Darius replies proudly. “Besides, I’m an excellent secret keeper. I also make the best cover to take your girl out on a date.”
Darius has a point. Hanging out with him kills two birds with one stone. I can get Coach Mercer off my back about my punishment, and I can go out with my girl in public without worrying about it getting back to her dad.
“You got yourself a deal, kid.” I offer him my hand, and he shakes it with a firm nod.
“You can get my information from Beau. You are to pick me up tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. We’re going to go to the arcade that also happens to be right next to a nice French bistro my aunt loves. We can hang out for a few hours. You supply the money for the games.”
Darius smirks at me one final time before disappearing down the hallway,
I got caught sneaking around with the coach’s daughter, and now I have a twelve-year-old extorting me for brotherly bonding. This has been one hell of a day.
ChapterTwenty-Six
Michele
After our Mission Impossible rendezvous at the arena last night during the charity event, Cole called to let me know he was taking me out on the town tonight. He didn’t give me too many details, only told me to be ready at one p.m. and to wear something nice. I tried to get some additional information since we were trying to stay out of the public eye until we told my dad about us, but he wasn’t having it. He wanted to surprise me, and I didn’t have the heart to tell him I hate surprises.
Too bad the universe had other plans because I woke up with my skull splitting in half and the sun pouring through the windows like it had a personal vendetta. I texted Cole with trembling fingers—something likeCan’t go out. Migraine. I’m sorry.Then curled up on the couch with my blanket and the hum of the white noise machine, hoping the world would stop spinning.
Stacey stayed at Parker’s place again last night, which she has been doing a lot of recently. I may need to start the search for a new roommate soon.Maybe I can ask Cole.Nope, brain, don't go there. Cole and I are doing amazing, but are wemoving in togetheramazing? I don’t know. What I can say is that I get closer and closer to wanting to say those three little words with each passing day. I thought it would terrify me, but I’ve been surprisingly cool about it. However, I can guarantee I won't be the one saying it first.
Now, instead of hanging out with Cole on our date, I’m curled on the couch beneath my heaviest blanket, a cool washcloth folded across my forehead. Imhotep is perched like a sphinx on my chest, paws tucked, tail flicking with suspicious intensity every time I twitch. His eyes haven’t left the door in ten minutes, like he’s preparing to go full gladiator the moment someone threatens me. Which makes the soft, rhythmic knock on the door a problem.
I burrow deeper into my blankets, expecting whomever it is to go away, but I hear it again. “Don’t freak out. We come bearing snacks and soup.” The deep and too-cheerful voice of Cole filters through the door, followed by another, albeit louder one.
“And vibes.” I’m even more surprised to hear the voice of my new friend, Darius, from yesterday’s event, at my door.
“What in the world?” I whisper, wincing slightly as I slowly sit up. Imhotep stiffens, and I swear he growls. This is not a good sign.
“Be nice, please.” I give him a pat on the head before standing and shuffling to the door, peeking through the peephole with one eye, fighting against the migraine blur. Cole is holding a brown paper bag with two hands like it might explode. Darius stands behind him with a dish towel slung over his shoulder, grinning like we’re about to throw a party instead of managing my slow death-by-light-sensitivity.
“You shouldn’t have come,” I mumble, throat raw.
“Youtextedus you had a migraine.” Cole runs his hand down the side of my face, lightly cupping my cheek. “That wasn’t a cancellation. That was a distress call.”
“I thought we were supposed to go out tonight,” I whisper.
“Change of plans,” he says, stepping inside as I open the door wider. “Now we’re here to annoy you into recovery.”
As soon as he crosses the threshold, Imhotep launches off the couch like a missile and plants himself between us. Tail raised. Back arched. Ears flat. A low, warbling growl builds in his throat.
Cole freezes, already prepared with Imhotep’s favorite treats. “I come in peace, you hairless demon.”
“If you were nicer to him…” My voice trails off, remembering the first time Cole and my little prince met. It didn’t go well at all. I ended up having to lock him in the spare bedroom with all his accoutrements so Cole and I could snuggle. It has also made other extracurricular activities very hard.
The cat is not impressed with his offering, turning up his nose at Cole. Meanwhile, Darius steps inside behind him and squats to scratch behind Imhotep’s ears. The traitor purrs loudly, rubbing his entire head against Darius’s leg like they’re long-lost brothers.
Cole's mouth drops open in surprise. “Are you serious?”
“He knows a kind soul when he sees one,” Darius says smugly.
Cole grumbles something under his breath as he sets the bag on the kitchen counter. “I got you ginger tea. Sea salt crackers. That migraine balm you like. And socks.”
“I picked those out.” Darius smiles as he picks up the cat, snuggling him into his cheek before placing him gently on the floor. The cat takes one look at Cole before swiping at his ankles. Thank goodness Stacey isn’t here because she’d be just as pissed as Cole right now at how easily the cat has taken to Darius.
