Page 181 of The Perfect Spiral
Why is he nervous? He should be used to this. After a moment, I realize it’s not his actions but his words that have me stunned.
Knox Carter just asked me out. Me, Alex Thompson. Out. On a date!
I’m shaking so badly, I lift my hand to see it trembling as if I’ve had too much caffeine. But I’m just so shocked and confused.
“Why me?” I ask, looking back up at him.
He licks his lips, a smile spreading across his face. He shifts in his seat, leaning on his elbow.
“Liked you? Hah! Since I first met you... when you walked into the classroom in your blue top and shorts and sat down next to me. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.
You were so beautiful, I was convinced you weren’t real. You were the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. And I knew I was in big trouble when I found out Kyle was your brother...”
“Then why were you so rude to me all these years?” My voice is tinged with annoyance. He treated me like something disgusting stuck to his shoe, making me feel so worthless.
He runs his hands through his hair, messing it up, but he still looks good.
“When we first kissed, I knew I was a goner. My feelings for you only grew stronger over time, and I didn’t know how to deal with secretly liking you. So I thought I’d try to convince myself not to like you by being mean to you.
That didn’t work, because I always thought you looked hot as hell when you got annoyed with me. Then I just loved pushing your buttons, because I liked the way you paid attention to me...” Ben was right. He was right about everything. Why was I so blind to it all? I’ve always been so bad at this stuff, always.
I’m so oblivious to it all, I won’t know until someone tells me they like me, which is not a regular occurrence.
“Why me? You could have any girl in the world... I don’t get it... I don’t look like... those other girls you dated?”
I wring my hands nervously, waiting for his answer. My thoughts are torn between wanting to know and not.
“I don’t want just any girl, Alex, I want you. I’ve always wanted to ask you out and tell you this, but I was so scared you’d say no.
Well, you still could say no, but, seeing you with Drew really pissed me off because you deserved more than that idiot. And then with Wes last night, well, it pushed me a little.
When I kissed you at Christmas and you kissed me back, I knew I had to try with you...”
“I dated those girls to try to get over you, and maybe to make you a little jealous. But I knew I couldn’t get over you unless I cut you out of my life, and I just couldn’t do that...”
His words wash over me, leaving me stunned. He likes me. He actually likes me. As I’m lost in my thoughts, I feel his hand on mine, a jolt of electricity pulling me back to reality.
“If you gave Wes a chance to take you out, shouldn’t I get one too?”
I consider his question, nodding slowly. It’s only fair. I gave Wes a chance, why not him?
His eyes widen, a grin spreading across his face. “Really? I can take you out?” I can’t help but smile at his reaction to my agreement.
He springs up from his seat, the reality of my acceptance hittinghim.
I’m going on a date with Knox Carter. Who would have thought? Am I crazy? Absolutely.
“Yes, but I’m not saying yes because I gave Wes a chance and think you should get one too... I’m saying yes because I think it would be... fun.”
I blush, meeting his gaze. He can’t seem to wipe the smile off his rugged face. I shift nervously in my seat. This is really happening.
“This is really happening? Wow,” he says, throwing his head back as if searching the ceiling for answers.
“Shouldn’t I be saying that? I mean, you’re... you.” I fidget with my hands in my lap, twining my fingers together. His snort of laughter draws my eyes back to his.
He smiles down at me, gently brushing my hair back from my face. “I’m the lucky one. You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this, baby doll.” His lips curve into a soft smile that I can’t help but mirror.
Moments later, an announcement is made that we need to return to our seats and fasten our seat belts. As I hear the clicks of seat belts around us, I know it’s time to descend.
