hasn’t changed anything. And here he is teasing me, trying to rile me up, and it’s working. He knows which buttons to press. He knows me better than I’d like.
“We’re less than friends,” I tell him, trying not to give him a label he can run with.
He clutches his chest. “Ouch. Way to care about my feelings.”
“We said no feelings,” I remind him.
He smiles. “I know. I’m just kidding. You gotta relax a little. I can think of a few ways to help if you want,” he finishes.
I smack him on the arm. “Stop it!” I look around, wondering if there’s a chance someone else may see us. Some of the other football players. The cheerleaders. I wouldn’t want them to get the wrong impression or, I guess, the right one? “Don’t you have practice?”
“As a matter of fact, I do,” he says, finally agreeing with me on something. He opens the door then turns to me. “What kind of food would you like for dinner tonight?”
“Food?” I ask.
“If you’re not ignoring me, I’d like to come over tonight. I’ll even feed you. I think after practice and class I’ll be in desperate need of a massage too.”
I can’t believe how cocky he is. I’ve never given him a massage. “Who said I would give you a massage?” I ask, trying to sound outraged at the insinuation but finding myself not entirely opposed to it.
His boyish smile returns and I try so hard to not smile in return. “I never thought you would but figured if I add a crazy third request, then you’d agree to the first two. So, what kind of food would you like to eat?”
“Surprise me,” I tell him, surprising myself with my response.
He smiles. “Sounds good to me.”
“Hey Hunter, you’re going to be late!” someone yells and I feel like I just got caught doing something wrong, which I am. My mother would agree.
“I’m coming!” Nick shouts. “I’ll see you later, babe,” he says, closing my door and walking away before I have a chance to fight with him about calling me that.
I walk out of class and instantly receive a message from Elia asking me to pick her up. My heart picks up speed as I think about the possibility of running into Nick again.
I’ve thought about that moment since it happened this morning, it actually distracted me from paying attention to the professor’s lecture in class today.
It’s crazy that the thought of seeing him throws me off. I see him all the time but this time was more jarring. Perhaps because I had been ignoring him but also maybe because I barely see him out in the world. Usually, it’s just in my house.
Me: On my way. Make sure you’re outside in five minutes.
Elia: I’ll try.
Me: I’ll leave you if you’re not out in time.
Elia: Why do you have to be so mean? I figured you’d be happy since you got to see him.
I don’t even bother to respond to her message but instead drive over to the stadium and pray the entire time that I don’t run into him again. At least not in his territory.
I arrive there at the five-minute mark and text Elia right away. When three more minutes pass and she doesn’t respond, I give her a call.
Her phone rings and rings but she doesn’t answer. I’m about to leave her a voicemail telling her I’m leaving her behind when the passenger door to my car swings open, scaring me. “It’s just me, calm down!” Elia says, tossing her bag in the back and getting in.
“I was about to leave you,” I tell her when I finally catch my breath.
Elia does her signature eye roll. “Do you have another class?” she asks.
I shake my head.
“Then what’s the rush?” she questions.
I don’t answer but instead pull out of the parking lot.
“Ahh, you don’t want to see him again,” Elia says interpreting my silence. “How come? Trouble in paradise?” She’s never going to let this go.
“There is no paradise,” I tell her.
“What’s going on? You know you can talk to me,” she says as she starts messing with the radio again.
I don’t want to talk about it to anyone but especially to her. I know Mom warned us and I’ve used the warning plenty of times against my own sister to know that what I’m doing is wrong. “I’m good.”
“Did you find out if he’s sleeping with other girls?” she asks. That’s the question that started this whole awkward mess in