Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 34652 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34652 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
I bite my lip, not knowing what to say since I’m not so great at small talk. He says he’s from Raymore, and he earns a point when he says he doesn't play football. He does, however, play baseball. When he asks for my number, I freeze. I feel like a deer caught in headlights. I’m sure I look like one too. I, uncomfortably, ramble off my phone number. I have to admit it feels kind of good just to have someone ask for it.
Suddenly, Willow is back at my side as the boy named Andrew programs my number into his phone. “They’re here.” Of course they are here. I think I knew that would happen. I casually take a full gulp of the drink. It’s sweet but has a weird aftertaste. “Nice to meet you, Andrew,” I say as I’m pulled away. I can tell from the look on his face he wanted to chat more.
It felt nice to be hit on for once. I’m not even dressed up. I am in shorts and a hoodie. I don’t have any makeup on, and my hair is up in a messy bun. “Wasn't sure if you wanted to stay and chit chat, plus I wanted to let you know that-” She stops talking when my drink is plucked right out of my hand. I’m about to yell at someone, but when I look over my shoulder, my eyes meet Reid’s. I swear my mouth goes dry.
I watch as he hands my drink to someone else.
“Why, thank you, Reid,” Missy from the cheerleading squad says. She tries to grab at his arm as I try to get away from him. We both lose because, like always, Reid wins.
4
Reid
“Mindy. Knock it off.” I guess me handing her a drink made her think she had an opening to grab me. I wasn't even paying attention to who I was handing it to. I was surprised to see Zoey here to begin with, much less with a drink in her hand.
“Missy,” she corrects, like I give a fuck. This is one of the reasons I make it a point to stay away from the cheerleaders in any way possible. They take any opening they can to get handsy. It drives me insane.
I continue to follow Zoey through the crowd of people. She’s short, which makes her easy to lose. Thank God I’m taller than most of the people here and spot her dipping out a side door. I’m almost to the door but stop short when Willow stands in front of it to block my way.
I almost smile, but she looks so serious. Her arms are folded over her chest, making it clear she’s willing to go toe to toe with me. It makes me happy to know that she’s trying to protect Zoey from me.
“What are you doing?” she asks, getting straight to the point. I know Willow isn't someone I get to tell to fuck off. Not if I want to win any points with Zoey. If anything, I’m indebted to her. She was a friend to Zoey when I couldn’t be.
“I want to talk to her.”
She stares me down. “Oh. Excuse me. Now you want to talk to her? What the hell is wrong with you?” I don’t know how she does it, but she makes me feel two feet tall. “I’m going to give you one chance.” She holds her finger up. “One. Do you understand me? If she tells me that you’ve done one thing that’s hurt her—” She pauses to think for a moment. “Well, you know, I’m rich enough to have you killed, dismembered and buried out on my grandpa's farm.” She smiles as she says it like she is enjoying the idea of me coming to a painful end.
“Deal.” At this point I'm willing to fall on a sword if that’s what it takes to get Zoey to forgive me.
“Are you planning on taking her home tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Took you long enough, asshole,” she says before she steps aside. I’d stop and ask what the hell she means, but I want to get to Zoey as fast as possible. Who knows who might be outside with her right now? I think Willow might be rooting for me. I’m not sure.
It doesn't take me long to spot Zoey. She’s leaning up against Willow’s car looking down at her camera. I also see that Mitchell from Raymore High has his eyes locked on her and is heading her way. I know what he’s thinking. Fresh meat. Zoey never comes to parties. I pick up my speed.
“Don’t even think about it, Mitchell,” I call out to him. His head jerks my way. He's been inside half the cheerleaders in our school and his own. No way am I letting him anywhere near Zoey. She’s sweet and deserves the fucking world. I’m not even good enough for her, but I’m not sure I have the will to stay away anymore. Each reason I’ve had has melted away over time.