Chapter 9
Lacey
T hings go back to normal faster than I’d anticipated.
I couldn’t wait to get out of my house, and as soon as my symptoms lifted, I was back at the café, picking up any shift I could to make up for missing a week of work.
I step off the bus a little after five. I didn’t have class this afternoon, so I covered a coworker’s shift. Traffic to and from work was horrendous, but at least I made some decent tips.
I’m just glad my car will be out of the shop soon so I can finally stop commuting everywhere. My stepdad gave me some money to get it fixed.
A text pops up on my phone as I’m walking home.
It’s TJ.
TJ
I aced the exam.
His message makes me squeal with joy.
He did it .
Lacey
YAY! So proud of you!
We managed to fit in a quick lesson before his test on Tuesday, and it paid off.
TJ
All credit goes to my tutor. She’s pretty cool.
His message warms my heart.
Lacey
How’s your hand? Better?
He had this bad cut on his palm when we had our lesson on Tuesday. He said he cut himself after breaking a glass. It looked pretty nasty, and I convinced him to go to the doctor to get it checked out.
TJ
All better. Doc gave me some topical antibiotic.
Lacey
Thank God. How would you play with your balls without hands?
TJ
Ha. Ha.
TJ
Minus a hundred points for the bad innuendo.
I laugh, shoving my phone back into my pocket. Six days have gone by since TJ showed up at my house uninvited and took care of me.
It was weird, but good weird.
I can still feel his arms around me as I choked on sobs. He didn’t let go until I calmed down. Then he poured my soup into another mug, and I drank the whole thing.
He had to leave ten minutes later because he had basketball practice, and thankfully, by then, the storm had cleared up. I still have to pay him back for all those meds and the soup he got me.
My phone chimes once more, and I fish it back out of my jeans.
TJ
Did you end up saying yes to that second date?
His question makes me cringe. I don’t know why I told him about Aaron asking me out again. I’m not even sure I want to go.
Lacey
Not yet.
TJ
Ouch. It’s been days. You might want to answer the poor bastard.
He’s right.
Today is Thursday. I should’ve just told Aaron I wasn’t feeling it when he texted me on Monday. He said he’d noticed I hadn’t been around much, and he wanted to make sure I was okay.
I informed him that I’d been sick, and after a few minutes of chitchat, he asked me if TJ and I were serious. To which I replied that we weren’t exclusive and just having fun.
It seemed like a good idea. That way, I was still available and free to date around, but it seems to have made Aaron think that I’m interested.
I haven’t forgotten seeing him and Heather together after he ghosted me. Still, I’m not completely against giving him a second chance. It’s not like we were serious. We’d been on one date at the time.
I select my conversation with Aaron. He asked me if I wanted to have dinner at the same restaurant where TJ and Chance work this Saturday. I told him I’d get back to him as soon as I got my work schedule.
What do I do?
What the hell? I’m going to say yes.
The food there is great. Worst-case scenario, it doesn’t lead anywhere, and I get a nice evening out of it.
I make it home a few minutes after I’ve texted Aaron to confirm our dinner plans. I’m working all afternoon tomorrow, as well as Saturday and Sunday, but tonight, I’m looking forward to parking my ass on the couch and watching a romantic comedy—after I’ve made dinner and helped Oliver with his homework, of course.
Footsteps can be heard rumbling down the hall as soon as I unlock the door. Sierra turns the corner the next second.
“Where have you been? My friend’s going to be here any minute, and you haven’t even started dinner. What are we going to eat?” My sister bombards me with questions.
I kick off my shoes and drop my keys into the bowl by the door. “What friend?”
“I told you I’m having a friend over tonight. You said it was okay.”
Right . She made a friend at her new school, and now she absolutely loves it there. Funny how she hated my guts for making her transfer schools just a few weeks ago.
“Had to finish later to make up for being sick all week,” I explain and take off my coat. I scan the living room for a sign of my brother. “Did Oli get started on his homework?”
“He’s all done, I made sure. He’s in his room, playing video games and calling strangers pussies on his headset.”
Sounds about right.
Sierra follows me to the kitchen. “Now, what’s for dinner? I want to make a good impression. This girl is, like, really cool.”
“Give me a second.” I check the fridge, and I’m forced to admit I don’t have much to work with. I did a small grocery run after I recovered, but my siblings obviously munched their way through everything.
I need to go and get some more food so that I can meal prep this weekend. I spend all of my Sunday afternoons whipping up a few casseroles for the following week.
My eyes travel to the coupons I left on the table. I get these in the mail. The deals are pretty good, and a bunch of restaurants in the area take them. I debate on spending that money for a few minutes. I haven’t ordered takeout in months, and I got some great tips at the café today.
Screw it.
“I think I’ll just order pizza,” I tell her before checking the coupon dates to make sure they’re not expired.
“All right. But no olives. Kelsea hates those.”
Kelsea?
“Kelsea? Is that your friend’s name?”
The doorbell sounds through the house before she has a chance to answer.
My sister squeals, racing over to the front door. “She’s here.”
A part of me knows the universe is about to pull some sort of joke on me, but I tell myself it’s just a coincidence. Until Sierra opens the door and I’m presented with two familiar faces.
TJ.
And his sister, Kelsea.
You have got to be kidding me.
“TJ? What are you doing here?”
His lips pull into a smirk. “Oh, you know, just dropping off my sister. I never let her sleep over her friends’ places without meeting the parents first.”
Seriously?
As if I don’t see enough of this guy already.
Kelsea glances up at her big brother, confusion etched across her face. “Do you two know each other?”
“As a matter of fact, we do. We go to the same school, don’t we, Mattson?”
This is making me regret not throwing that chicken noodle soup in his face the other day.
I force a smile. “Small world, huh?”
Sierra and Kelsea exchange puzzled looks but don’t comment on this weird encounter. The next thing I know, Sierra is dragging Kelsea to her bedroom and closing the door.
I’m dumb enough to think TJ is going to call it a night and leave, seeing as he knows his sister is safe with me, but I’m reminded of who I’m dealing with when he says, “What’s for dinner?”
So… I guess that means he’s staying.
I don’t believe in coincidences.
There has to be a reason why this guy turns up everywhere.
There has to be something drawing us together, otherwise he wouldn’t be sitting on my couch, eating all of my popcorn and bitching about the romantic comedy I chose.
I settled in the living room to watch a chick flick from the moment we finished dinner. I did warn him before I pressed Play, but he said he didn’t mind.
He’s been calling the characters’ next moves the entire movie, and sure, I’ll admit romance movies can be predictable, but I’d prefer if he didn’t spoil everything for me.
“You are so annoying, you know that?” I throw a pillow at his head when the end credits start rolling.
He shrugs. “Thanks. You want more popcorn?”
A smile creeps onto my lips.
I’m careful not to let him see it, whispering to myself, “Unbelievable.”
With that, he proceeds to the kitchen and throws another bag of popcorn into the microwave.
“Did you hear the gossip?” TJ asks from the kitchen.
“What gossip?” I rise up and grab my empty glass off the coffee table. This popcorn is extremely salty, and I’m parched.
“Chance and Bethany broke up.” He’s so casual about it, dropping a massive bombshell on me like it’s weather talk.
“They did?” I fail to swallow my gasp. “But they seemed so perfect for each other. What happened?”
I meet him in the kitchen, stopping a few steps away as he leans back against the counter and crosses his arms over his chest.
“Chance slept with Heather.”
I never thought I’d say this, but I’m grateful TJ inhaled that bowl of popcorn because I’d be choking to death right about now.
“He did what?” I shriek, picturing Bethany’s reaction to her best friend sleeping with her boyfriend.
I’m not surprised about Heather. She’s always been the type to go after taken men, even when that man is dating her oldest friend, apparently, but Chance? I always thought of him as a good, stand-up guy.
“How could he do that to her? Doesn’t he love her?”
“He says he does. He and Beth had a big fight, and Heather put the moves on him when he was wasted. He says he doesn’t even remember sleeping with her.”
“Wait, wasn’t Heather seeing Aaron?”
Last I heard, these two were all over each other at last week’s party—the one I didn’t go to because I was sick and dying.
“Nah, they’re done. He told her he likes someone else.”
The amused expression gleaming in his eyes meets the curiosity in mine.
I turn to fill up my glass with water, my back facing him. “Did he say who?”
I only notice how close he’s gotten to me when I twist the faucet off and feel his breath brushing against the side of my neck.
“I think you know.” TJ’s voice is close to a murmur.
Every muscle in my body stiffens, but I direct all of my energy into appearing unbothered.
“You did quite the number on him, rich girl. Question is, can you deliver?”
I scoff, feigning indifference as I angle my head back to look at him over my shoulder. “Deliver on what?”
Our gazes fuse together, leaving me no other choice but to face the sizzling attraction between us.
I’ve known it was there for a long time now. Obviously . What scares me is it was purely physical at first, but now? The asshole is starting to grow on me.
“Have you thought about what you’d do if he tries to kiss you?”
I let out a nervous chuckle. “Not really.”
His breath sweeps over my mouth, causing my knees to buckle for a moment. He’s way too close to me.
We haven’t been this close since the night he kissed me at the party. The difference is, if he kissed me now, it would be intentional. He couldn’t pass it off as “doing me a favor to help me get a guy’s attention.”
“Anyone ever tell you, you blink a lot when you lie?” he asks.
Damn it.
I pin him with a challenging look. “What makes you think that I’m lying?”
He grins. “Your emotions. They’re written all over your face.”
I arch an eyebrow. “Really? Then what am I feeling now?”
He responds by moving closer and dropping both of his hands on the counter behind me. He’s caging me in like this, and my pulse is wilding out in my neck, but I do my utmost to convey nonchalance.
This is fucked up.
Why do I feel this way?
This is TJ , for God’s sake.
He’s not someone I should feel anything for.
Even if it’s just chemistry.
“I think…” His eyes search mine for a moment. “…you’re scared.”
I swallow hard. “Not true.”
A mocking smile takes up his entire face. “Sure you’re not, blinky .”
Fuck.
I need to work on this “blinking when I lie” thing.
“Fine. Maybe I’m a little scared,” I cave.
“Of what?”
“I don’t know. Making a fool of myself? I haven’t put myself out there in so long I’m not sure I remember how.”
“You’re not going to make a fool of yourself. Just remember who the fuck you are, and you’ll be fine.”
I crack a smile, glancing down at my feet. “A broke college student slash single mom with mommy issues?”
He laughs. “A beautiful, stubborn, math-loving badass who sacrificed everything to take care of her family.”
Oh my God.
Why do I feel like I could melt into a puddle when he says things like that?
The next few seconds consist of unwavering staring and a herd of violent butterflies rampaging through my stomach.
“So… about that kiss. What would you do?” he circles back to his first question.
I make sure to think on it before answering.
“I guess I would kiss him back? Hopefully, I haven’t lost my skills since high school.” I meant it as a joke, but he doesn’t laugh.
“I assure you, your skills are very much intact.”
He would know, being the first guy I’ve made out with in over a year.
“What if he touches you?” he adds, the possibility making my head spin. Kissing Aaron is one thing, letting him touch me is another. I’m not even sure I like him.
“Touches me how?”
I expected a quick description. I sure as hell did not expect his hand to wrap around my hip.
“Like that.” His voice is softer than it was before.
“I… I would let him,” I stammer.
He tightens his grip on my waist and pulls our bodies together.
“And how far would it go?”
I have no clue how I’m supposed to act unbothered with him looking at me like that. If I’m being honest, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that specific look in his eyes before.
There’s heat.
Desire.
All sorts of urges I’m terrified of sharing.
“That depends on how well the date went. And if we’re looking for the same thing.”
It makes him smile. “And what it is you’re looking for exactly?”
“Something real.”
He cringes. “Hate to be the one to say it, Mattson, but from what I’ve seen so far, Aaron isn’t going to be that guy for you.”
I know that. I think I’ve known that since the day I met Aaron.
I make the mistake of glancing at TJ’s lips as he speaks. I didn’t mean to, but it’s as though as soon as he notices my focus clinging to his mouth, his eyes follow, zeroing in on my lips, too.
“You’re right. He might not be,” I say quietly.
He doesn’t answer.
My stomach somersaults when his mouth falls open. It’s almost nothing, barely noticeable, but I get the sense that he’s just had a realization and it caught him off guard.
I’m surprised as well. Surprised that I find myself wanting to kiss him again. And I might be operating on crazy, but I start to lean in.
I’m convinced I must be imagining things when he does the same, moving forward slowly. I only realize I’ve closed my eyes when a loud ringtone slices through the air.
My eyes snap open just in time to see TJ backing away from me like he just got shocked.
He pulls his phone out and takes a look at the screen.
Unease is evident on his face. “I have to take it.”
This is so embarrassing. I had my eyes closed, waiting for him to kiss me like a complete loser .
“No problem.”
He picks up the call and immediately heads for the living room as though he doesn’t want me to hear. He’s never told me anything about his life, and while being nosy is definitely not the way to pry more information out of him, it doesn’t stop me from chasing after him.
I’ve already done one stupid thing today. I might as well make that two.
I tiptoe down the hall, edging toward the living room, and peek my head around the corner to find TJ pacing around.
“I know, I said I would be there. I’m sorry, Vera. I got held up.”
Vera?
Who the hell is Vera?
“I’m on my way, okay? I can’t wait to see you.”
Silence.
“Yeah, I love you, too.”
What the…
Unfortunately for me, he doesn’t say anything else and hangs up the phone before I can fill in the blanks. I’m quick to return to the kitchen. I’m pretending to scroll on my phone when he enters the room.
“Hey, I have this thing with…” He stops himself abruptly. “I have to get going. I’ll be there to pick up Kelsea tomorrow.”
I give him a nod, appearing unbothered when my mind is racing with questions and possibilities about Vera’s identity.
Does he have a secret girlfriend?
Holy shit.
I bet he’s dating some girl and lying to her. Am I an accessory to cheating? No, I can’t be.
She’d know about me, considering he kissed me in front of everyone at the party. Unless… we don’t run in the same circle, so she’d have no way of knowing. That must be it. This Vera girl probably doesn’t go to Duke, so he can get away with lying.
He turns to leave, halting a few steps later. “Oh, and, Lacey?”
“Yeah?”
“Good luck on your date.”
He’s just walked out of my house when I let out a bitter “ Good luck on yours .”