before. What’s the worst that can happen?
She’ll say no.
Then convince her to say yes.
Good luck with that, Brody. She’s pretty firm on her self-image.
Well, she’s wrong.
One of my earphones gets pulled out and my eyes snap open.
“What are you listening to, homie?”
Can’t help feelin’ like I may hurl all over her as she sits down—right next to me again—and sticks the headphone in her ear. I go to turn it down, but she stops my hand, keeping hers on mine as she listens.
Can’t. Concentrate.
She’s all warm and soft and crap. I want to grab her into my arms and keep her there forever.
“Mr. Grant, I’ve underestimated you.”
“Huh?” Yeah, I’m going to try to ignore the fact it doesn’t matter what name she calls me, I like it. Point for Hayles about the name thing.
“You have good taste in more than just chips.” She grabs the iPod out of my hand. Her finger flicks through the playlists, and I hear a small, “Ooh!” before the song changes. Then she hums along softly by my face.
Damn beautiful.
“Uh, Hayles?”
“Mmm?” She turns the music down.
Bailing… “I didn’t know you had this lunch.”
“Yup. Right now you’re saving me from the slob fest going on in the cafeteria.” Her eyes toss up to the ceiling before meeting mine. “I hate being witness to PDA.”
I chuckle. “Yeah. I know the feeling.”
“Tanner and Dani?” She smiles and winks.
“Uh huh.” I pause and nod toward a couple of Hipsters goin’ at each other across the hallway. “But they’re not as bad as that I guess.”
Hayles follows my gaze and shivers. “Gag me.”
She goes to turn the music back up, but I stop her. Hell yeah! She lets me keep my hand on hers.
All right, Brody. Just ask her out. Not a big deal.
“Hey, uh… so I was wonderin’—”
Bell rings.
Damn it.
She grins, tossing my earphone in my lap. “Tell me on the way to class.”
Can’t do it. Not on our way to the class we share with Quynn. Not in the middle of a chaotic hallway in this craphole we call high school. I mean, she’s never been asked out before. Well, I assume she’s never been asked. That’s what she said, right?
More pressure to make this good for her. She deserves that.
“Brody?”
“Huh?”
“Are you mad at me or something?”
Guess we’ve been walkin’ to class, and I haven’t said a word. Didn’t even notice.
“No.” I attempt a smirk, but it probably looks real stupid.
Her brow crinkles in that hot way it always does, and she points a finger at me. “Well, something’s bugging you. You’re a lot quieter than normal. I mean you’re usually quiet, but today you seem…”
“In a daze?” My smirk is for real this time.
She smacks her forehead. It’s so cute when she does that. “Gosh dang gorillas, I’m such an idiot.”
My eyebrow pulls upward. What is she on about now? “Because…?”
“Because I know why you’re quiet and I should’ve figured it out by now.”
Huh? Am I that transparent?
“Don’t be nervous about seeing her today. Maybe ask for some help after class. Like, totally botch it with me or something.” She giggles and it takes me a minute to catch up with her.
Right.
Quynn.
Signing.
Pointers.
I don’t want to think about all that crap—the mess I’ve made already with everythin’. And I know Quynn’ll ask why I wasn’t home on Friday when she came over.
Hayles is going to be pissed when she finds out.
Or maybe it’ll be enough to convince her I’d rather be with her than Quynn. May work in my favor.
Maybe I’ll bring it up.
“Hey.” She stops in front of me and grabs my shoulders. I flex underneath her grasp, showin’ off.
Her face goes a little pink, but she keeps her hands on me. “It’s no different than it was before, okay? Don’t be nervous. You’ve got this in the bag.”
I open my mouth to pretty much tell her everythin’, but she stops me.
“And I’ll tell you another secret.” She drops her hands and gives me a faint smile. “She looks at you the same way you look at her. She… she really likes you. She’s just waiting for the right moment.”
I’m as big a douche as my brother, because I don’t care.
I don’t care.
It’s not the right girl. A week ago, maybe, but now? Man, I just want Hayles.
“Hey,” I say as I snatch one of her hands and play with her fingers. That feels good. She’s not pullin’ back either. “I’m not nervous about Quynn. I told you, I’m not really… I’m not sure about her anymore.”
She