Page 53 of The Fadeaway
She looks up at me with big eyes. The tickets are worth way more, plus I thought it was something cool we could do together. I don’t really like Katy Perry but figured her excitement would make it worth it.
I nod and close my locker shut behind her. “I’ll get it for you after school.”
She places a kiss on my cheek and rushes off. The bell rings and I let out a sigh as I re-open my locker and grab my biology book.
“Yo, Timmie.”
The guy two lockers down looks up at me like he’s surprised I know his name. “Got a girlfriend or boyfriend? Significant other?”
He’s still staring at me confused. “Yeah, I’m dating Cheri.”
“Really?” I can’t hide my surprise. Cheri’s head cheerleader and this guy… well, he doesn’t look like he could keep up with Cheri but guess I’ve misjudged him.
I pull out the tickets and toss them at him. He fumbles them, dropping his books in the process and making me embarrassed for him and also hopeful that maybe he can score some cool points with Cheri. Shit, maybe he doesn’t need them, he somehow already got her. Doesn’t matter, I don’t need them.
“Woah, thanks man,” he says as he looks them over and then tucks them into his pocket.
“No problem.”
21
Katrina
He’squiet through two episodes. Other than holding my feet in his lap, he’s made no move to touch me since he tucked my hair behind my ear. I know he’s got practice in the morning so I thought he’d be anxious to get in and get out… so to speak. In and out of me.
“You want to watch another?” I ask, looking down at the remote and not meeting his eyes.
“I should probably go.”
I’m surprised by his answer, although I’m not sure why. It’s late. I guess I figured sex was higher on the priority list than sleep. Did I lose him with the leggings? Crap, I knew I should have kept the sexy dress on.
“Right. You’ve got early practice tomorrow.”
His thumb caresses my foot. “Yeah. We’ve got a big game on Saturday. Speaking of, how would you and Christian like to come to the game? I can leave tickets for you at will call.”
“Oh wow. That’s really nice of you, but you don’t need to do that. We usually watch the games here.”
“So, you really do watch? You weren’t just putting me on?”
I laugh. Of all the things to lie about that one never entered my mind. “Yes, we really watch.”
“Come to the game. There’s nothing like being at Ray Fieldhouse on game day and it’s the last home game of the season.”
“Okay.”
He grins, looking more relaxed and like himself, and sits forward. “I should go so you can get some sleep before the little man wakes up.”
Is that why he’s leaving or is it just an excuse? I can’t get a read on him. If he’s suddenly not into me then why would he invite me to the game? Good God, this can’t be him trying to be a decent guy and going slow for my benefit. Can it?
I move my feet so he can stand and then follow him to the front door weighing my options and trying to decide what it isIreally want from him. I’ve been so caught up in what he wants or doesn’t want that, I’ve barely entertained my own wants.
He turns at the door and reaches out for my hand. I let him weave our fingers together and I peer up at him trying to read every thought or emotion that might be there. He’s given me no real reason to hesitate or second guess and that’s the most surprising thing of all. Joel Moreno has a heart. Or at least a conscience.
In for a penny, in for a pound.
“You could stay,” I offer and then wince at the totally forward words. “I mean, tomorrow is Friday and I don’t work or have any classes so being tired isn’t the end of the world.”
He smirks but doesn’t say anything arrogant to make me instantly regret my decision. Instead, he threads a hand through my hair and brings his lips to mine.
