Page 36 of Ask No Questions

"Oh, you think that’s funny?"

I nodded, still laughing too hard to respond.

He grunted, pushing up and landing on me with his full weight. He stared down at me with those deep brown eyes. My eyes moved down his face to his lips which were inches away from mine, just one move away from touching. I was frozen in the moment, too shy to do anything but wait. I watched his eyes move from my eyes to my lips and sucked in a breath. He closed his eyes tight and rolled off me. He was standing and walking away before I could even think of moving.

I laid there for a few more moments, confused. Was he going to kiss me? The opportunity had definitely presented itself! Slowly I sat up trying to follow him and act like nothing happened. “So should we give it a try?”

He shot a look at me, clearly not understanding, so I pointed to the boards.

“Surfing? Should I try to get up?”

He shook his head before standing up and reaching his hand out to help me up. I took it and met his eyes when we were next to each other again. He looked like he was about to say something but turned and led the way to the boards.

After about an hour in the water, I stood four times and rode one wave in. I was feeling pretty good about myself, especially when I saw Luke’s face light up after I stood up. He was cheering me on the whole time, and whatever awkward moment we experienced seemed to pass. We brought the board onto the sand and laid them down. I crumbled onto the ground, exhausted.

“You did great for your first time. Did you hate it?”

He was running his hands through his wet hair, showing off his biceps. If I had any pride left, I would have looked away, but after biffing so many times, I didn’t worry about what he thought of me anymore.

“I definitely don’t hate it. I’m going to be so sore, though. I can already feel it.” My arms felt like lead, and my legs felt like Jell-O. Overall, not a great combination.

“That’s what the hot tub is for. Grab the towels, and I’ll get the boards back to the truck. We can head over to my house and relax for a while.”

“That sounds perfect. Except for the moving part. Is that definitely a requirement?” I was still laying down looking up at him. The idea of moving was not appealing.

“If you’re still down by the time I get the boards tied down, I will come back for you.” He winked before he grabbed the boards and walked away. I was considering standing up and following him, but I was interested in what he had planned, so I stayed laying down staring up at the cloudless sky.

Moments later, I heard thumping coming toward me. I looked behind me and nearly jumped out of my skin. Luke was standing over me with a mock angry face.

“You know what this means?” Before I could answer, he picked me up by my legs, dangling me upside down. He walked me toward the water, not the direction I was hoping for! I started squealing like a fool and reaching to grab him. He was laughing hard too and almost dropped me when I got my hands at his waist.

He dropped me just short of the water. I scrambled to get up and pushed him.

“What is with you and throwing me in the water?” I laughed and was walking back to get the towels when he slipped his arm around me. I looked up to see his amazing smile and couldn’t help but smile back. It was too hard to even pretend to be mad at him.

“You’re trouble. I just need to keep you on your toes.”

He looked at me, and I thought he was going to kiss me. I recognized something in his eyes. Desire maybe? Instead, he looked away and dropped his arm.

“What’s wrong?” I hated how insecure I felt. Before everything happened in Chicago, I would have never doubted myself.

He continued to face away from me. “Why do you have to be with Mike?”

“What do you mean? I’m not with anyone.” Where did he hear that? I’d only been at the school for a week, and already rumors were starting. Great.

“I heard he took you out last night, and he’s telling people you guys are together, exclusively.”

Since he wouldn’t turn around, I walked in front of him and made him look at me. “Mike took me on one date. I told him that I swore off men. He just wanted to go out to prove not all guys suck. It was a sympathy date, if anything, and nothing happened between us. I have no clue where he got the idea we were dating.”

He finally met my gaze and smiled. “I’m glad you aren’t dating him. I don’t know if I could handle competing with him.”

“There’s no competition, Luke.” Did I just say that out loud? I grimaced, but he caught my chin and made me look at him again.

“Good.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek so lightly I might have imagined it. I watched him walk away and tried to remember how to breathe.

Sixteen

After Luke told me what Mike said about us, I was ready to confront him in class. Mr. Cox went through his normal routine of a ten-minute lecture before dismissing us for the remainder of the period. Mike scooted his desk up next to mine. I must have let my feelings show since he immediately asked me what was wrong.