work’s been struggling. I don’t have all the details, but Dad hasn’t had great, wealthy clients in a while.
“Don’t you just love that new car smell, Shane?” I bite my lip as I say that, watching him, batting my eyelashes.
“Yeah,” he murmurs. I watch as his pupils start to dilate, then he licks his lips. I smile.
“I just want to see what my new car can do and if it can excite me,” I say, dropping my voice to a low pitch. He nods, stepping closer to me as I step back, but he doesn’t notice. He runs a hand through his wavy blond locks and I almost melt.
“Cool,” Shane says, then he moves in closer, that sexy smile still on his face. I think he’s going to kiss me! My heart starts pounding again, I feel like I’m going to break into hives and that’s a red flag!
I can’t dare to have anyone kiss me. Not after that one kiss with Julian years ago. And let’s not forget Liam…
I step back, but he steps with me. My nose tingles again and as he leans in some more, I can’t fight it anymore. I sneeze so hard, I drop my bag to the floor with the force of it.
Mortified and feeling like I just messed this flirty thing up, I slap my palm over my mouth and nose, my eyes wide with embarrassment.
I just sneezed in Shane Matthew’s face.
“I’m so sorry!” I start, as he takes several steps back. “I…I have allergies and with summer approaching, it’s so bad.”
From the corner of my eye, I can see Kristine watching me with a frown. We both know I don’t suffer from any God forsaken allergies.
“Nah, it’s alright. I’ve got allergies too,” he says, with a smirk. “To anything that isn’t the best.”
If his version of “best” is that cologne, then he needs a harsh wake up call. You’d think a girl sneezing in his face would be THAT call.
“You’re the best, Shane.” Kristine jumps in, her high pitched voice coming from over my shoulder. I glance at her with frown, only to see her eyes glazed over. Confused, I look back at Shane and he laughs.
“Yeah, I know I am.” He straightens, running another hand through his hair. If I had a choice, I’d have wanted him to have darker hair, maybe even jet black like mine. I’m incredibly attracted to that kind of guy. Or just one guy in particular and he hates my guts, I’m sure. “I guess you and I will have to finish what we started later. That is, if you come.”
“Are you bribing me with a kiss?” I say, my flirt game burning so hard. This feels so unnatural. But if I date Shane, it’ll get people like Brantley off my back.
“You bet, beautiful.” He winks. “But you’ll have to do your part in burying those assholes at St. Jude. Teach them some manners and who’s superior in Palos Verdes.”
Well, St. Jude was superior in every way, but I just nod, not wanting to get into that.
“Well, I don’t think the Fitz brothers will agree with that,” Kristine says, making Shane frown.
“They’re going down before summer starts! Mark my words,” Shane says, his voice deadly serious.
See, the grudge between Clintwood and St. Jude ran deep. It’s probably rooted in the foundation of our town. Stained with the blood of whoever lost the year it all started. Both schools are tough, have ridiculously rich people within their gates, et cetera. But the rivalry? It’s said to have started with two boys from both schools.
Legend has it that they both fell in love with the same girl. That was a long time ago, since before my father was born.
Personally, I think it’s all bullshit. It’s like we were in a medieval time, with gladiators going for battle. Only, the gladiators were from St. Jude, and pansy ass idiots from Clintwood. That’s an overuse of anything vintage.
I mean, the football and basketball games were pretty much insane. The bleachers packed to the brim with supporters, cursing each other and their mothers in the name of the rivalry.
“Well, with the messy divorce between their parents that was in the papers, I doubt they’ll even be there.”
“The Fitzgerald parents separated?” I question, eyebrow raised. Shane frowns and Kristine rolls her eyes.
“Keep up, Princess. Their court case and all that messy shit has been all over the papers and news. They were even mentioned on CNN,” Kristine explains.