Page 25 of The Cheerleader is Off Limits

Somewhere on his chest.

He was wearing pants at the airport, so maybe a thigh tat?

Fuck me.

My thoughts are interrupted by Delaney’s reply. “I didn’t say nudes, calm down. Just a cute selfie!”

“That’s not lame?” I don’t have a ton of experience with what I would call “text game,” so I’m a bit in uncharted territory.

“No? Say you’re at the mall and ask him what he’s doing.”

“I don’t want to come off clingy.”

“You guys haven’t even kissed yet. He’s probably staring at his phone right now, waiting for you to text him. After you fuck him, then you back off.” She points at me.

“Who says I’m going to fuck him?”

“Oh please, what’s the other option? Date him seriously?” She laughs. “Yeah, that’ll work. Ask the thirty-eight-year-old how he feels about taking you to prom,” she says sarcastically with an eye roll. “I’m going to try these on.”

I take my clothes into my dressing room and look at myself in the mirror. I was having a great hair day, and the tank dress I was wearing highlighted my curves without being too sexy. The dress was short and showed off my legs, which had been hidden under leggings at the airport.

I suppose a picture couldn’t hurt.

I take a few pictures in the mirror and send him one.

Me:

At the mall with my cousin. What are you doing?

His response is pretty quick, and I definitely owe Delaney for the idea when I see what he says.

River:

I somehow forgot how gorgeous you are. Christ, Sloane.

I send him a selfie, this one closer to my face.

Me:

So you don’t forget

He hearts the picture, and moments later, I get the message I’ve kind of been expecting since he texted me last night.

River:

What does your week look like? I want to see you again.

River:

If you want.

He adds like an afterthought, and I smile because Ithinkhe’s nervous.

Me:

What happened to thinking I was too young?

River: