Chapter 24
Twenty-Four
The threat of detention made me walk away from Milo. But it didn’t stop me thinking about him. As soon as my teacher’s back was turned, I was texting. This time I was sure to be sneaky about it. I was also careful of other students around me. I didn’t need a nark ruining my plans.
Milo replied to my texts during class. It was so out of character. I really am a bad influence on the guy.
He told me to meet him in Mr. Birch’s classroom during our lunch break. He guaranteed we’d have it all to ourselves.
On my way toward the classroom, a chipper voice calls from behind, “Hey, wait up!”
I turn around and almost fall over when I see Tabitha Jones racing to meet up with me. “Huh?”
“I’ll walk with you to our table,” Tabitha says with a happy smile.
I rear back. “Excuse me?”
Tabitha gestures ahead. “You know, the lunch table. You are going to the cafeteria, aren’t you?”
My eyes narrow at her. “Which table are you calling ours?”
She shrugs like I’m the idiot. “With Kai and the guys.”
I scoff and blink hard at her audacity. I move to the side and hurry my pace. “No, I’m not going to the cafeteria. You’ll have the boys all to yourself.”
She reaches out to me. “Did I do something wrong?”
I turn off, toward Mr. Birch’s classroom, and don’t dignify her question with a response.
“The nerve of her!” I screech, entering the classroom.
“Whoa,” Milo mutters, his mouth staying open in an o.
I slouch forward, frowning. “Sorry. Just had a run in with Tabitha. Apparently, my lunch table is now hers.”
“You mean, like, you’ve swapped tables with her?”
“No. Like she’s now sitting with my friends.” I shake my head and walk up to him. “I don’t want to think about her right now. Hi.”
He chuckles, cupping his hands against my waist. “Hi.”
I look back at the door. “Are you sure we have this place to ourselves?”
“Yep. I’ve been in here plenty of times with zero interruptions.”
“What about Christie and Ash?”
“I don’t think Ash is at school today. Have you seen him in the halls?”
“We don’t exactly have the same schedule.”
“Even if those two came in here, I doubt they’d blow our cover.” He brushes a hand across my cheek and into my hair. “Last time Christie asked if we were dating, but all anyone heard about were the milkshakes. I don’t even think we’re part of the story.”
I unbutton my blazer. “If we’re truly alone, I’m getting out of this thing.”
I hang it on the back of the chair, and Milo wags a finger. “You know, taking off your blazer is a detention-worthy offense.”
I unravel the neckerchief from under my stiff collar. “You want me to put it back on?”
He bites his bottom lip and slowly shakes his head. I grab onto the lapels of his blazer and back onto a desk. I sit on it and Milo leans over me. His lips meet mine as if they’re magnetized. I tug on his tie, ensuring he stays close to me. He mumbles a laugh in the kiss, making me want him more.
He nibbles along my jawline, and his breath tickles against my ear. I slide my hands behind his neck and close my eyes. Never has a moment felt more perfect.
“I really appreciated your support this morning during soccer practice,” I say, letting my fingers play in Milo’s lush mop of hair. “Sorry if I seemed snappy or ungrateful.”
“No problem,” he replies, his fingers wandering along my back. “I get how it feels to be on the outside.”
“Will you come to the cafe with me after school?” I ask, tilting my head and attempting to appear cute. “I think dealing with these society women will be easier if you’re in the same room.”
His arms hug around me with avid strength. “I’ll be anywhere you need me.”
A Disney princess-worthy sigh escapes me. I run my hand down the side of his face and kiss him softly. “Thank you. I don’t know how I’ve been surviving without you all this time.”
Milo smirks. “You weren’t. You were failing your classes.”
“You’re doing more than helping me with classes. I feel safe with you.”
An adorable smile lights up his face. “Really?”
I nod eagerly.
“But your friends are tougher guys than me.”
“Your mom always said you had emotional intelligence.” I play with his hair. “I never knew what that meant before. Spending so much more time with you, I get it. The fact I can open up more about wanting to be romantic is something I could never do with my friends.”
“I’ve never talked about this stuff either. Heck, I’ve never kissed anyone before. I’m so dang glad it’s you I get to kiss.”
I giggle and lean in close, cupping the side of his face.
Our lips press together and a burst of tingles explode within.
My skin vibrates and I smile against his lips.
I love listening to the way his breathing changes when he kisses me.
The scent of his cologne makes me melt into him, and I could scream when the bell rings overhead.
Milo pulls away. “Bummer.”
I lean forward and peck his lips. “We could hide out instead of going to class.”
“I’m supposed to be a good influence on you. Remember?”
I trace my fingers along his tie. “That’s no fun.”
“Besides, I’ve got French next, and I’m falling behind.”
I gasp, teasingly. “Oh heavens, no. Not the great Milo Nelson behind in a class.”
He laughs. “French is hard, okay.”
I tug on his tie and bat my eyelashes. “Say something French to me.”
“Où se trouve la gare la plus proche?”
My heart flutters and I shiver in front of him. “Oh my gosh. That sounded so dang sexy. What did you say?”
He struggles to hold back his laughter. “Where is the nearest train station?”
I whack his arm. “Ugh. That’s the best thing you could come up with? Where’s something romantic about my eyes or my smile?”
“Hey,” he says defensively, backing away. “What do you want from me? We’re learning travel phrases at the moment.”
I groan and reach for my blazer. “Fine, have fun in class. You can make it up to me by promising to spend the evening with me, making out.”
“Did you think I’d be spending my time any other way?”
It’s beyond hard to pull myself away from Milo and enter the bustling hallway. At least I get to see him during last period.
Every Monday ends with English lit. Oh gosh, I can’t wait to be done with King Lear.
I can’t stand another minute of listening to my classmates recite lines from this boring play.
To make matters worse, outside the windows, a gloomy gray sky rolls in.
The darkening sky makes me sleepy as I slide down my chair.
Behind me, raindrops pelt against the windows.
Great.
My stamina drains until Ms. Jenkins calls on Milo. There’s something about his cadence and the deliberate way he pronounces every word that keeps me hooked. My heart flutters as the sentences glide off his tongue. I feel myself wanting more every time he pauses for breath.
After Ms. Jenkins thanks him and moves onto another student, a soft sigh pours out of me.
“Huh?” Kai mutters beside me.
I jolt, clutching my pounding heart. I glance at him, and he’s scribbling harsh images on his page.
“Nothing,” I mumble.
I straighten in my seat and look back across the room. Unfortunately, Tabitha graces my line of sight. She smiles and waves, causing my teeth to grit under my grimace.
I shift in my seat and motion to Kai. “Your girlfriend wants your attention.”
Kai drops his pen and sits up from his slouched position. His expression brightens when he locks eyes with Tabitha. He gives her a small wave, and I have to admit, the way he adores her is really cute.
But why her?
I could deal with him dating any girl other than one of the Miss Perfects.
At least the last school bell will ring soon. Although, that brings the start of a new kind of hell. The catering meeting with members of high society. Yuck.
I look across the room and watch Milo diligently taking notes. At least he’ll be with me for moral support. Just having him in this classroom puts me at ease.
When the bell finally rings, I resign myself to the fact that King Lear is starting to make sense. I can always ask Milo to read a few pages to me tonight. Perhaps when we’re alone in his bedroom.
I move out of the classroom ahead of Kai. With little thought, I wave goodbye.
“Just hang back,” Kai says, tugging on my blazer. “Tabby’s talking to Ms. Jenkins.”
“I’ve gotta get to the cafe before this meeting starts. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Kai pulls out his phone, distracted by a text. “Why are you running off? I’ll drive you.”
“You don’t have to drive me,” I say. “I was going to walk.”
“Did you not look out the window? It’s raining,” he says, scrolling on his phone. “I’m driving Tabby over, anyway.”
My fingers curl, cracking my knuckles. “Driving her where?”
He looks up from his phone. “To the cafe. Her and her mom are part of the society group organizing this event.”
“You’re kidding,” I mutter.
He gently punches my arm. “Another opportunity for you two to get to know each other better.”
I shake my head. “The thought of being around all these snooty women is already freaking me out. I can’t think about talking to Tabitha.”
“But she knows all these women. Wouldn't it be good to have someone in your corner?”
I scratch my head, swallowing uncomfortably. “I guess.”
“Relax, James,” Kai says. “Just think about it like a regular work day.”
Milo exits the classroom and stops a few feet away, mouthing, “Ready to go?”
Kai notices me looking over his shoulder and turns around. “What’s up, Milo? Need a ride?”
“Oh, no, umm…” Milo stammers, eyeing me for direction.
“Yeah, Kai will drive us,” I pipe up.
Kai turns back to me, and I tell him, “Milo was going to walk with me to the cafe so we can study after the meeting.”
Kai looks back at his brother. “What are you going to do while you wait for the meeting to be done?”
Milo shrugs. “Get a shake and a burger?”
Kai grins. “Sounds like what I need. Okay, I’ll hang with you until Tabby’s done.”
In a flash, Milo and I share an apprehensive look. I want Milo to be there for support. I can’t go up to him for a pep talk when Kai’s sitting in the same booth. Kai will just tell me to suck it up, end of conversation.
Kai’s jaw flexes as he watches me. “No good?”
I smooth back my hair, covering with, “I’m just still freaking out about the pack of snobs. I wish Aunt Maddy was here to deal with them.”
Kai throws an arm around me. “But she’ll have a video link, right? Just hook up the webcam and set it in front of whoever the head snob is, and take a step back. Maddy’s dying to get in with this crowd. Surely, she’ll take over.”
I lean into Kai. He was right. Aunt Maddy still thinks she’s done the wrong thing by leaving town when this meeting came up.
I have to make sure the picture and audio are crisp, so it feels like she’s in the room.
Aunt Maddy is probably pacing her hotel room so much she’s dug a footpath into the carpet.
I check my phone and there’s still no spiraling text messages from her.
I expected non-stop messages from her today.
Maybe she realized I’d be freaking out too and didn’t want to pile on.
I quickly send her a text, saying I’m on the way to the cafe and then I’ll start the video call.
When I slip the phone back in my pocket, Tabitha joins us.
Her smile strains as Kai’s arm slips off my shoulders. Her olive complexion gains a rosy hue when Kai kisses her cheek.
“Ready to go?” he asks her.
“Sure thing.” She then asks me, “Is this your first society meeting, Jamie?”
What a dumb question. “Yep.”
Kai flicks his keys between his index and middle fingers. In his other hand, he clutches Tabitha’s hand and leads her toward the foyer. I follow behind, keeping a slow pace so I can walk alongside Milo.
His pinky finger brushes against mine. “You okay?”
My pinky hooks around his. “I will be when this is over.”
Our fingers release as we approach the foyer. From the front steps, we view buckets of heavy rain dumping on the front lawns. With linked hands, Kai and Tabitha run along the path toward the student parking lot. I can hear Tabitha’s squeals from here.
“We should take it slow,” I say to Milo.
“But you’ll get all wet,” he replies.
“I’ve seen you slip over on a dry surface. I’d rather keep you in one piece.”
“I promise, I won’t be that clumsy,” he says, and steps down onto the first wet step. His balance wobbles, and I’m quick to plant two hands behind his back. Milo snorts. “Dang it. I immediately failed.”
I giggle and move beside him. “Nice and easy.”
He wipes his brow, embarrassment causing lines to dig into his face. “Okay.”
With a few more near misses along the path out of school, we finally make it to Kai’s car. Oh, good lord, I wish we’d taken longer. Through the front windshield, with the wiper blades moving, we get the perfect view of Kai and Tabitha making out.
Eww!
I reef the back passenger door open, blurting, “Get a room, not a car.”
Kai breaks apart from Tabitha, laughing and wiping his mouth. “Sorry. I forgot we were leaving with two wet blankets.”
“Speak for yourself,” Milo says, getting into the car.
Kai sniggers. “Book characters or your cat don’t count as love interests, Milo.”
Milo rolls his eyes. I pull on my seatbelt and tell Kai to get the lead out.
Tabitha plays with her chocolate curls, turning around to view me. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
I flash her my fakest smile. “No big deal.”
Milo chokes on a laugh, his cheeks blowing out as he tries to suppress it. I flash him a look and my cheeks stretch as it becomes impossible to contain my smile.
In front of me, Kai shifts in his seat. He doesn’t bite and asks what’s so funny. Instead, he turns the knob on the stereo, blasting his favorite metal band.
Milo’s laughter stops dead as he lowers in the seat, annoyance flaring from his nostrils.
Well played, Kai.