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CHAPTERTWO
KYLER
“Ian Thomason?”Melissa squealed. “Seriously?”
“Liss, that was my ear,” I grumbled as I put my phone back in my pocket. “And I don’t know why you’re so excited about this. He’s afootball player,remember?”
“You know, he’s always looking at you in Pre-Cal and Econ. Maybe he likes you.”
“Right,” I scoffed.
“What? It’s not completely beyond the realm of possibility, Ky,” she chuckled. “You’re gorgeous. And sweet. People notice that.”
Yeah, that was what I’d thought at one time too. Before that stupid party two years ago. I’d never make that mistake again. Happily ever afters and Prince Charmings didn’t exist. Not for people like me. People who had seen more of the real world than anyone should have to. People who had been chewed up and spat back out. Tossed aside like the broken messes they were.
And Melissa knew that more than anyone else, because she was the only one who knew the truth about what happened that night.
“Liss, you ofallpeople know that’s not how it works. Not for me,” I practically growled.
She gave me a sad smile. “He’s not them, Ky. He didn’t even live in this city when everything happened. He probably has no idea why everyone gives you such a hard time. And he doesn’t even really hang out with Max or Drew or Tucker. The only one I ever see him hanging out with outside of football practice is Braden Hicks.”
“And you know this how?”
“Hey, just because you’ve decided that you hate football doesn’t mean the rest of us have to hate it too.”
I groaned. I loved Melissa. Really, I did. She’d been my best friend since seventh grade. But she was boy-crazy. And she was nursing a serious crush on one of the defensive linemen, Eric Goshen.
“Listen, I get why you have a hard time trusting people, but just give him a chance,” she sighed. “You know he’s come to your defense a few times when he’s seen people start shit.”
“I know,” I admitted quietly. “It’s the only reason I said yes.”
“So just don’t write him off right away, okay? Who knows? Maybe this could end up being good for you.”
“Right. And maybe pigs will fly,” I scoffed. “I’ll see you at lunch, Liss.”
* * *
“Mom,youwere the one who wanted me to start tutoring,” I groaned over the phone as I pulled into the parking lot at Starbucks. “You said it’d look good on my college applications, remember?”
“And you already had more than enough students,” my mother snapped. “Now some idiot jock who probably can’t even count to twenty with his shoes on asks you to tutor him, and you’re falling all over yourself to do it even though you don’t have the time?”
Well, yeah, pretty much. Except the idiot part. I knew Ian was smarter than he gave himself credit for. But I wasn’t about to admit that to my mom. Then she’d make all kinds of assumptions that weren’t true.
Besides, it wasn’t like I wanted to date Ian. I just couldn’t say no to the puppy dog eyes he’d pulled out this morning. And as long as I kept the sessions in public places, I felt safe enough with him.
Or at least I felt confident that if I screamed for help, someone would hear me. Unlike last time I’d let myself be alone with a boy.
“It’s not like that, Mom,” I sighed. “Look, his grades just need a little boost so he can qualify for a scholarship. He’s not failing the classes.”
“If he’s not failing, then why does he need you to tutor him?” she challenged. “You’re just making things up so I’ll let you date this boy without meeting him.”
Right. Because dating wasdefinitelysomething that was on my radar right now. Not.
Not that she knew that. And not that I’devertell her. I already blamed myself for being stupid enough to get drunk and walk out that door with Drew. I didn’t need my mom adding insult to injury. And Iknewthat was what would happen. She’d just break me even worse than I already was.
“Oh, my God, Mom,” I groaned. “No. I’m not. Want to stop by the Starbucks we’re meeting at so you can see we’re here studying Spanish? Because you can. It’s the one by Bass Pro on 119thStreet.”
“Donottalk back to me, young lady!” she growled.
