Page 19 of Composed
Taking the out he offers, I drop my board, place one foot onto the deck, and push away the lingering image of Cole and Elaine sitting heavy on my mind as the wheels carry me across the metal.
I’m not jealous over a guy I met a month ago.
That would be stupid.
Sure, he’s cute, with his floppy black hair and honey brown eyes. And okay, Saint told me Cole thought I was pretty when we were sitting in the hall waiting for French class the other day. And yes, I’ve thought of little else since. But he’s not shown much interest outside of casual chatting.
So, I. Don’t.Care.
Saint claps as I finish a simple trick on the quarter-pipe.
I giggle and take a bow.
I wouldn’t say I’m good at skateboarding. I usually have scabs on my knees from all the times I've fallen, and I come off it more than I stay on, but I love it anyway.
“Not bad, new girl. Not bad. You know who is real good at skating and can teach you a thing or two?” He leans close to me, his voice dropping an octave as he whispers, “My best friend, Cole Hayes.”
I don’t have the chance to tell him to zip it before he cups his hands to his mouth and hollers for Cole.
Blistering heat crawls up my neck and onto my cheeks.
I’m not against getting to know Cole better, but fear bogs me every time we're close.
I’m not sure what it is about him.
There’s just something magnetic about being in his presence. He draws me in in a way I've never experienced with another person, and I don’t know how to deal with that.
“’Sup?” Cole says as he walks towards us. The chain hanging from his jeans jingles when he stops at my side. He looks down at me with a crooked grin. “Hey, Rixie.”
I wiggle my fingers in a half wave. “Hiya.”
“You skate?”
“Sometimes. I’m not very good.”
“You should teach her,” Saint says, looking too fucking smug as he walks backward. “I would, but I’ve just seen the love of my life walking through the park, and I must go chase after her.”
He turns and starts jogging towards the park opposite. “Peace out, my dudes.”
“The love of his life?” I ask Cole as he grabs my board and starts toward a small ramp.
“Theo.”
“The ballet dancer girl?” I follow his lead as he gestures for me to step onto the board. His hands squeeze my waist to steady my balance. I shudder as his heat soaks into my skin. “Doesn’t she like totally hate him?”
Cole’s laugh is a deep rumble, and my stomach flutters.
“It’s a whole thing. He’s obsessed with her.”
“And she’s not with him?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Why doesn’t he just give up?”
Cole doesn’t answer straight away.
My skin pebbles as his fingertips trail the edge of my tight T-shirt. He rounds the board, bringing us face to face.
