Rebel at Spruce High (Spruce Texas Romance #5) - Daryl Banner Page 0,150

parking lot. At first, I don’t see what he’s seeing. There is a car in the spot where Vann usually parks his motorcycle, and some guy in a long-sleeved flannel shirt, Wranglers, and boots has just gotten out of it. It takes me a second to realize I’ve never seen this random just-stepped-off-the-ranch hunk before.

Until he turns from his car and his dark eyes land on mine.

And I realize I know exactly who he is.

Lee clears his throat, then nudges me. “Well, go on then. Talk to him. Here’s your chance. Ball’s in your court, right?”

Vann, in all of his unanticipated country-boy glory, leans back against his car and crosses his arms over his chest. His reserved, cool-guy energy seems to indicate he’s still honoring our deal of letting me be the one to approach him. I find that weirdly sexy, his level of self-control and respect.

“Or you want me to wait for you?” asks Lee, who I forgot is still standing next to me. “I, uh, gotta get to the other end of the school for first period, but I’ll stick around if you—”

“Nah. I got this. Thanks.”

“Almost looks like just another dude from Spruce. Huh.” Lee chuckles to himself as he walks away, leaving me to my fate.

I cross the parking lot, ignoring the eyes and stunned faces that are already turning as more and more people notice Vann 2.0 leaning against his car. My heart thumps deeper and louder with every step I take. It feels like a mile separates us.

The next thing I know, I’m standing right in front of him. And instead of some polite, endearing greeting, I choose to address him with: “What the hell is this?”

Vann lifts an innocent eyebrow. “What the hell’s what?”

“This.” I drag my eyes down his fitted flannel shirt and jeans. He even has a belt with a Texas-sized buckle. “All you’re missin’ is a cowboy hat and spurs.”

“Oh, I have the cowboy hat.” He thumbs toward the backseat. “But seeing as we can’t wear hats in school …”

I stare at him, doubly confused. “Since when have you ever followed or respected the rules?”

“No idea what you’re talking about. Rules are the bedrock of any civilized society. That must be the old, rebellious Vann you’re talking about.” He smiles. “I’m a good boy now.”

This is just too much. “I don’t know what kinda game you’re playin’ here, but—” I blink. “Are those pearl snaps on your shirt??”

“One half of the game is called: respect Toby’s need for space, respect his need for figuring things out, respect his feelings and his fears and his reservations.” Vann gives me a smart look. “The other half of the game … well, I guess I’ll keep that a secret. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my good ol’ pal, I’ve got a first period to get to on-time for once.” He shoots a wink at me, then pushes away from his car. “I’ll see you in chem,” he casually calls over a shoulder.

And I’m left there, dumbfounded. “This isn’t over!” I shout at his sexy, flannel-painted, tapered back. He doesn’t stop. “We’re …! I’m not just gonna …! You and I have to …!”

Well, who’s the stammering idiot now?

Completely flustered, I head inside, get my things from my locker, then head to the office. My whole first period, I can barely focus on anything. I accidentally run a note all the way to the fish bowl (the adorably nick-named freshmen wing of Spruce High) instead of the science lab where it was supposed to go. I mess up a spreadsheet by transposing an entire column of numbers. By the time the bell rings, I don’t even realize where I’m headed: straight to English, where I’ll see Hoyt for the first time since outing his little secret in front of Julio—the aftermath of which I don’t know.

What I encounter at the door to the classroom, however, is ten times more shocking than the sight in the parking lot.

It’s Hoyt and Vann hanging out, smiling, and chatting.

Hanging out. Smiling. Chatting.

Hoyt. Vann.

Did I wake up in an alternate reality? Did my body shift dimensions in my sleep? Is that why I woke up to a nice stepdad, a brotherly Lee, a country boy version of Vann, and a friendly Hoyt who likes him? Is this one of those corny Hollywood movie things?

Then they separate after a handshake—a fricking handshake—and off Vann goes, taking off to his second period while Hoyt goes into the classroom. Feeling an out-of-body