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I shrug, meaning to say something, only to have my thoughts erased when Dalton exits the classroom, and I’m suddenly speechless.
He walks by me, closer than he probably should. His hand brushes against mine for a brief second before he’s gone.
It was so quick that I even question if it really happened—that is, until I see Susie’s expression.
With her eyebrows raised, she steps closer to me and whispers, “Did that really just happen?”
I jerk my hand up, pretending I was playing with my hair the entire time and she saw nothing. “What just happened?”
“Ha!” She holds her hands up in defeat. “You know exactly what I’m talking about, but if you’re pretending it didn’t happen, I will too. Lord knows you should definitely keep whatever is going on between you two to yourself.”
Her words make my stomach turn.
She’s so right, but I can’t help it.
She notices the way I’m stuck in thought while biting my lip and places her hand on my shoulder. “Hey. I couldn’t give two shits if you guys are into each other. I have nothing to do with either of your families. I don’t even really know why you guys hate each other so much. Just be careful, okay? I don’t want to see you get hurt by him or your dad because that’s the only way this can really go. You know that, right?”
I close my eyes and nod.
“I don’t blame you. He’s hot. I get it. Have fun while it lasts, but just know, it can’t last, so don’t get in too deep, okay?”
I nod again, and she gives me a hug.
“Off to second period I go. Be good,” she singsongs. “Or don’t. Just don’t get caught.”
She laughs as I turn to drop my back and head against the lockers, knowing I’m so screwed, yet I won’t do anything to stop it.
When I walk into second period, Dalton is already sitting at his desk, eyeing me as I make my way through the classroom and sit directly in front of him.
He leans forward. “You smell so good. Funny how it used to piss me off when you walked in, and now, I’m so turned on that I hope I don’t get called to the board.”
I laugh out loud, then cover my mouth, pretending that I’m coughing and praying no one is paying enough attention to care. They aren’t.
I cannot focus for anything during the entire class with him behind me, no matter how hard I try. Playing footsie takes on a different meaning throughout the class when his long legs keep invading my space. I usedto kick them away, but now, I crave the touch of them against my feet.
How could we make a one-eighty like this?
The thought makes me laugh as the bell rings. Dalton stands up first and runs his fingers along my bare shoulder as he walks by. I take a second to gather myself before leaving, suddenly bummed, knowing I probably won’t see him for the rest of the day.
At lunch, I sit with Susie and Ashley.
“Where’s Marcus?” I ask Ashley.
Susie lets out a harsh laugh, and I want to slap my forehead for how obvious I must be.
Thankfully, Ashley doesn’t catch on. “They have a meeting for tonight’s game. You guys are coming, right?”
“I’m in, but we might have to drag Natalie out of her house, kicking and screaming, to go with us. You know she hates going to watch the guys play football,” Susie says, trying her hardest to be serious but knowing I want to smack her.
Ashley turns to beg me, “Oh, please come. It was so much fun last week.”
“Yes, please come for us and no one else, not even your brother who will be on the field as well,” Susie teases.
I fake a sigh. “Fine, I’ll go.”
Ashley squeals her excitement before turning back to her lunch.
“I’ll bring eye black to put numbers on our faces. I know Ashley will be wearing number twenty-four. What about you, Natalie? What number shall we put onyour face?” Susie jokes some more, making me want to kick her.
