did that in class a few days ago.
I wonder what she’d think about this. Say I was fallin’ for a different girl other than Hayles. Would she slap me and tell me to stay focused on Quynn, or would she tell me to go after the new girl?
Oh dude. I’m so dumb. Makin’ a big deal over this. I have no claim on Quynn. I never did. And she has no claim on me. I’m feelin’ guilty over something I haven’t done, but why? I’m figurin’ out what I want before makin’ a mess like my brother did.
And I want Hayley.
How could I want anyone else? She’s amazing, that girl. Damn sexy, funny, and just knows how to make me feel… all that crap you’re supposed to feel when you’re with the girl you just have to be around.
I need her.
No, I crave her.
And right now, I’m bein’ a real jackhole ‘cause I’m over an hour late for her first date, not only with me, but ever.
Okay, Brody. Erase all that crap about Quynn, about Gabe, and just be with Hayles tonight. It’s her night.
It’s like I’m on autopilot, and I’m at her house without knowing how I got there. She’s sitting on her porch steps, picking the leaves off the bush next to her. Her hair is down. I’ve never seen it that way before. It’s so long, coming just under her boobs, which are definitely amazing in the shirt she’s wearing. Low cut, but not so low that I can see anything more than just a little cleavage. Damn sexy.
Then I remember. Shit. I was supposed to text her before I picked her up. This is not goin’ my way.
I jog up the walk, and she doesn’t look at me. Still pickin’ at that bush.
“Are you mad?”
That’s the dumbest question in the history of questions. I’m really makin’ this a memorable date for her.
Her eyes flick to my face, and what looked like anger flashes to confusion. Forehead puckers in that cute way of hers, and her mouth pops open. “I was a little peeved.” She stands. “But now I’m more worried about that look on your face. Are you okay?”
No. Quynn’s at my house, and I just beat my brother’s face in. And I spent who knows how long in the car tryin’ to calm down. But right now I’m with Hayles, and I don’t want to think about all that crap.
“I’m fine.”
I scratch my nose, what I always do when I lie my face off… which is why I don’t lie to my parents ‘cause they know this.
“Gracious little fairies, Brody!” She grabs my hand. “You’re bleeding!”
Yeah, bloody and swollen knuckles. My hands are shakin’ too. Don’t know how I missed it. It’s pouring rivers down the back of my wrist.
“Would you look at that.” Smooth, Brody. On top of bein’ a jackass, you’re now an idiot.
She tugs me inside, not lettin’ go of my arm and nearly sprinting to her kitchen sink. Can’t even process that I’m in her house. Only thing going through my brain is her touchin’ my skin, running water over my knuckles and washing my arm. The blood doesn’t bug her or nothin’. Her face isn’t calm, worried as hell, but I like that.
She’s worried about me.
I know I’m testing my boundaries, and I have no right to be this close to her after showin’ up late with bloody knuckles, but I trap her between me and the sink, leaning over her head. She still has that mint chocolately scent, but it’s mixed with some sort of fruity lotion or something. Things are movin’ down south just off her smell.
Yeah. Hayles is definitely the girl I want. I can’t even remember why I was so confused before.
I almost whip her around and kiss her, but she lets go of my hand and ducks under my arm, going for the freezer.
“I don’t need that,” I say as she pulls out the ice pack. “I’ll be fine.”
“You sure?” She tosses it between her hands, face going a little pink.
I shut off the water. “Yeah. It feels better already.” ‘Cause it does.
She grabs a towel from the counter. “Heads up.” She tosses it over her shoulder as she puts the ice pack back in the freezer.
I wonder if she even realizes I’m in her house. The one place she doesn’t let anyone near. It’s not a craphole, which is what I expected since she treats it like the plague. It’s clean, and there’s a