care,” I shot back.
He didn’t appear insulted. “I just care about winning. The silly shit I ignore.”
That wasn’t very Brady-like. Mr. Football Star. Just as I was thinking that, some random guy walked by and slapped him on the back. “Big week,” he said, smiling at Brady like he could do it all. Throw the ball, catch the ball, and run it in for a touchdown. Terribly cliché.
I Don’t Do Dances
CHAPTER 26
BRADY
Willa had loosened up a bit toward me in the hall earlier. I was now unable to wipe the grin off my face. Maybe I hadn’t messed things up. I wanted a chance at this. At us. It was obvious she was trying to not feel uncomfortable around me after our kiss, and I was glad. Because I wanted more kissing. I wanted more Willa. I was currently ignoring the teacher’s lecture while thinking of ways to get out of the homecoming dance with Ivy so I could take Willa. I was safe from Gunner taking her because he had already lined up Serena. I knew he wasn’t willing to give up both a blow job and sex the night of homecoming to take Willa.
My only obstacle was Ivy, and I didn’t want to be cruel. I just wanted to be free of her. I had just let her be for so long I hadn’t thought about what would happen if a Willa walked into my life. Hurting Ivy wasn’t appealing, but as hard as I tried, I couldn’t think of any other way. My mind went through several scenarios. It kept going back to me paying off Nash, who still hadn’t asked anyone, to ask her to the dance. She’d tell him no, but then he’d tell her I was flirting with Willa, and to get me back she’d more than likely go with him. Making it her choice not mine, and she wouldn’t be hurt.
That was just a lot of manipulating, and I wasn’t completely okay with that, either. Dammit. Why had I asked Ivy? Though, honestly, I knew why. It had just been easy.
The bell finally rang, and that meant it was lunchtime. I was starving, but I was always starving. It was homecoming week, so the football players would get special meals brought in by the cheerleaders and booster club members. Today was pizza, and I was more than ready for it. Most of the cheer moms would bring in baked goods. I was hoping for some of those brownies with fudge icing that Ivy’s mom always made. I mentioned them to her last week when she asked me my favorite dessert item for homecoming week. I’d been sure to request them.
Guilt gnawed at me again over the Ivy thing. I changed my train of thought and sought out Willa in the crowd. My gaze fell on her and Gunner walking to the cafeteria together. I won’t lie. A small bite of jealousy snapped at me. Gunner was laughing at something she was saying. The more I saw them together the harder it was for me to be around Gunner. I stayed irritated at him. He was leading her on. He wasn’t a one-woman guy. Never had been. Willa was different. And so was my friendship with Gunner. It was slowly falling apart. Over her. And although that wasn’t what I wanted, it was happening.
Willa was worth it. Watching her made me feel better. I liked the way she wore her Chuck Taylors with her skirts. It was cute. Almost as if she woke up deciding to dress girly, then saying screw it and throwing on her shoes before leaving.
“Mom brought your brownies,” Ivy said as her arm slipped under mine and she wrapped herself around it. As if she was holding on to me for fear of falling. I felt a sick knot in my stomach because I wanted to be free of her, but I wasn’t sure how to do it.
“Thanks,” I replied, and I meant it. Knowing Ivy, she’d have me brownies every day this week. Once again proving what a dick I was for trying to get free from taking her to the homecoming dance.
“I also made sure that they got you cheesy bread with that sauce you like. I know you love it with your pizza.”
Again there she was making me feel terrible. If she could just be the annoying clingy girl, it would be easier. But then she does nice stuff like this, and I feel bad.
“Great. Thank you,”