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“I’ve always wanted to be a veterinarian.” Nodding firmly, his eyes shined in the darkness. “I’m going to get my degree and then open a small animal practice. Might even run a rescue while I’m at it.”
Warmth shot through me. “I didn’t know you had a thing for animals.”
Of all the ways I thought this conversation could go, I hadn’t guessed that I would uncover something about Jayden that even I couldn’t deny was attractive. Guys who liked animals were hot. At least, in my book.
He turned his gaze toward me. “It’s more than a thing. It’s unhealthy, really. My mom threatened to put me up for adoption if I brought home one more stray animal. She says we can’t afford to feed every friend I meet.”
I snorted, but his story was ridiculously sweet. “I’ll bet that doesn’t stop you.”
He beamed at me. “Nope. We’ve got thirteen animals and counting at the Paul residence, but for some reason, they still haven’t changed the locks on me. I can’t help myself. Show me a furry face and I’m done for.”
“That’s actually really cute.”
His eyebrows arched and he shot me a disbelieving look. “Are you calling me cute, Amanda?”
It was a good thing the bus was mostly dark because my skin flushed from my chest up to my hairline. I shook my head and stuttered out a few syllables before I could reply. “Uh, no. Of course, not. I’m talking about the animals.”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah, okay. That’s probably for the best. No man likes to be called cute, anyway. I’d settle for sexy, hot, or devastatingly handsome. But nothing below that level.”
I rolled my eyes and laughed. Jayden was cute, but he could also be all of those other things. Somehow, he managed to pull it off. Of course, he’d have to torture me to get me to admit to it. That was never going to happen.
“Well, at least you’ve got a plan for your life,” I said, smiling half-heartedly at him. “If I don’t get a track scholarship, I’m done. There’s nothing else I can do.”
He frowned at the vinyl seat-back in front of us, his eyebrows forming a severe line. “Mandy, I think you’re selling yourself short. Track isn’t the only thing you’re good at.”
A bitter laugh burst from my lips. I’d been racking my brain for the past hour trying to come up with something. “Like what? Passing out water during games?”
He chuckled as he shot me a teasing look. “Don’t discount your future career path as a water boy. I hear they make pretty good money.”
“Fine.” I raised my chin to stare up at the curved tin ceiling of the bus. “I’m good at running and passing out water. But what about beyond that? I’m not a talented artist like Trina or a musical genius like Audrey. What value do I have outside of my ability to pound the track? And what if it never comes back?”
My voice cracked on the last question. Jayden remained silent, staring down at his knees. Maybe I’d finally shared too much. The cracks in my dam had grown a little too big and washed away his willingness to listen. Bet he was regretting his offer now.
I ran my fingers through my hair, wishing that I could suck the words back into my mouth like the last few swallows of an Icee. But then Jayden sighed and turned his whole body towards me, his gaze locked fully on my face.
“Look, I’m probably the last person you want to hear this from, but I know that there’s a lot more to you than just running. You’re the fiercest, most intimidating girl I know. You’re a world-class best friend. You’re stubborn and always have a comeback that puts me in my place. But most of all, I know that you accomplish pretty much anything you set your mind to.”
His speech had my heart rate picking up. I turned my body to mirror his position and leaned my head against the seat. “Do you really see all that?”
“Yeah.” His tone held a bit of surprise as he raked a hand through his messy hair. “Why don’t you?”
I bit my bottom lip and my chest rose with a deep inhalation. Maybe if he’d asked me the same question two weeks ago, I wouldn’t have hesitated. Now, everything felt so fuzzy.
“I don’t know,” I answered slowly. “I guess it’s hard for me to see myself like that.”
His lips hardened into a line and his eyes darted between mine. “Not for me. I’ve always seen you that way.”
“Really?”
My breath hitched in my lungs as Jayden reached up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear. The brief, gentle brush of his fingertips against my skin elicited a wave of goosebumps down my neck. I closed my eyes, soaking in the sensation.
And when I opened them again, Jayden was staring at me in a way no guy had ever looked at me before. His eyes held a smoldering heat that made me tremble. If it weren’t for the jerky bouncing of the bus and the noise of the other players up front, I would’ve been consumed by it.
“I think I know a way I can prove that there’s more to you than just running,” he said in a low voice, redirecting my gaze to his lips. “Meet me tomorrow night?”
“Tomorrow?” I could barely think of anything in that moment except for his mouth, but luckily my subconscious seemed to take over. “Yeah...okay. I’m free until I have to drop my sister off at Savannah’s party.”
He grinned softly. “Perfect. It’s a date.”
