Could it be…? No, it can’t.
I told everyone to stay away from you.
Does Zack really have that much pull that an entire school would turn a blind eye to me just because he told them to do so?
It’s just my imagination running wild. He couldn’t have been completely serious when he said that. Besides, Bree and Jonas talk to me. In fact, I’m having dinner with Jonas tonight. There’s some snazzy pizza joint downtown that just opened up and, apparently, all the ‘cool kids’ go there. When it first opened, Amanda, Danika, and I went there, but it was packed full of CHH students who, at the time, were just loud and obnoxious to us. Now, I’m one of them. To be honest, I’m pretty excited.
I’ve always lived my life looking down on others, but ever since this situation with Jordan, I’m learning that you can’t judge a book by its cover. We all have secrets, we all have scars, and we all have fears—well, everyone except for Zack Wells. Apparently he isn’t afraid of anything. Shaking my head at the thought of that strange, strange guy, I shut my locker and spin around.
My body crashes full force into abs of steel. “You look happy,” Jonas says with a smile on his face.
“Oh, hey. I do?” I fling my bag over my shoulder and walk in step with him down the hall.
“That smile you were wearing says you were thinking about something that made you happy.”
I didn’t even know I was smiling. Zack and his hot then cold personality certainly don’t bring me happiness.
“Must’ve been thinking about our dinner plans tonight.” His brows waggle as he throws an arm over my shoulder.
I nod in agreement. “Right. That must have been it.”
“So the plan is to pick you up around six thirtyish and we’ll ride together. Sound good?”
“Umm, yeah, sure. Are others going?” I wasn’t aware that this was a group date. Not that I care. It would actually make things less awkward because, even though Jonas is a nice guy, I don’t feel that sort of connection with him.
“Usually everyone goes on Thursday nights during the week of a home game. Most of the players, the cheerleaders, fans.”
I grimace. “Fans?”
“That’s what we call ‘em”
Seems a little pompous if you ask me, but I don’t say so. “Alright then. Six thirty it is.” I flash him a smile before sliding out from under his arm. “I’ve gotta go to the office to drop off my tutoring timesheet. I’ll see ya later.”
“You don’t really take me for someone who needs a tutor.”
“Oh,” I chuckle, “I don’t. I actually tutor another student. Sort of need the extracurricular credit to graduate.”
“No shit. Anyone I know?”
“Zack. Zack Wells. If I remember right, you two are friends?” I say it as a question, because I’m not really sure that they are. The way that they’ve talked about one another has me thinking they are actually not friends at all.
“Oh yeah. Zack and I are..tight.” He nods his head. “Alright then, I’ll see you tonight.” He flashes a wave and then turns and walks away.
Well, that went better than I thought. If I were telling Zack that I tutored Jonas, he’d lose his shit. Goes to show that Jonas is much more mature than Zack is. Or maybe, Zack is just more bothered by him for some reason.
Not that it’s my business. Not that I care.
“And what time will you be home?” Dad asks his twentieth question of the night.
My eyes roll unintentionally. “It’s a school night, Dad. I’ll be home by ten o’clock.”
I look down at my outfit—a pair of cut-off jean shorts and a yellow crop top with a V-neck. “It’s Texas, Dad. Not Alaska.”
“You sure you don’t want to change into something more...warm?”
“And this guy, is he a good student?”
I throw my hands up and huff. “I don’t know. This is only my second week at that school. How am I supposed to know who gets good grades and who doesn’t? You’re acting like I’ve never gone out before.”
Dad pulls me in for a hug and suddenly I feel bad for my mini outburst. “I know, Hun. It’s just the first time since everything happened and with all these threats you’re getting, you can’t be too safe right now.”
I pull out of the hug and look him in the eyes. “I’ll be fine, Dad. I promise.”
He presses a chaste kiss to my forehead just as the doorbell sounds. “Alright, looks like it’s time for me to meet this guy.” He begins walking to the door, so I grab his arm to stop him.
“Dad,” I sulk. “No, please. It’s just pizza.” He doesn’t budge as he clicks the lock and pulls the front door open.
Jonas’ eyes widen and he looks from my dad to me. I give him an ‘I’m sorry’ smile and just try and get this over with. “Jonas, this is my dad. Dad, this is Jonas.”
My dad extends his hand to Jonas who reciprocates the gesture. “Pleasure to meet you, young man.”
“You, too, sir.”
Dad looks at me with raised brows. “Sir? I like him already.”
I shake my head in embarrassment and push my hands into Jonas’ chest to back him away from the door. I wanna tell Dad not to get too attached. If I’d had more time to explain, I would have told him that this isn’t going to be a regular thing. Jonas and I are just friends, even if he is looking for more from me.
“Don’t be late. Wouldn’t want my princess to turn into a pumpkin,” Dad hollers, causing me to drop my face in my hands out of embarrassment.
I can feel the heat rise to my cheeks. “Oh my god, I’m sorry. My dad is...weird.”
Jonas laughs. “Don’t even worry about it. He’s just looking out for his little girl. I’ll be the same way one day.”
I stop at the passenger door of Jonas’ extended cab pickup truck, expecting him to open the door, but he keeps going around to the driver’s side. Feeling pretty stupid, I pull open the door myself and climb in. I’m not sure why I even expected that. I guess it’s because every date I’ve ever been on consisted of my date opening doors for me. I shouldn’t expect it, because, for one, this isn’t actually a date. And two, Jonas doesn’t exactly give me gentleman vibes. Which is fine, I’m not a princess and, in fact, I prefer to do things for myself.
New car smell and cologne surround me and I draw in a deep breath before buckling my seat belt. He smells damn good, I will give him that.
“You excited?” Jonas asks with one hand dangling over the steering wheel and the other resting on his lap.
My shoulders shrug. “I guess so.” I mean, excited isn’t the word I’d use. More like nervous. Not because of him, but because I don’t know who else will be there and, lately, I try and avoid large gatherings. I have this fear of being called out on the spot and grabbing everyone’s attention. I’ve actually had a few nightmares about it.
“Relax, babe.” He stretches an arm over and drops his hand on my lap. “It’ll be fun.”
I look down at his hand, unsure how I feel about its placement. Sliding it higher up my inner thigh, he gives a gentle squeeze. I suppose it’s harmless. I just don’t want him to read into something that’s not there. The last thing I need is the title of a tease.