Juliet sighs. “I just wish it was simple. Like grade school. People used to write notes to one another. Do you like me? Check yes or no. Not the most difficult thing in the world.”

  “Yeah.” I slap her knee. “But that’s what makes it fun. Because there will come a moment when you’ll know if he’s into you or if it’s only you who’s into him.”

  “And if that person feels nothing for you and you feel everything for him, you’re left with a broken heart and no glue.”

  I shake my head. “Way to make it depressing. But yes. You’re right. It could happen. Then you need to remember what Mom always says: ‘Don’t regret trying. Regret never asking and wondering.’”

  “That’s stupid.”

  “Well, some of it sounds a little dumb.”

  She smiles and then starts to make her way off my bed and out of my room. “Thanks for listening.”

  “You know Adam does play football with Mark, and I am a cheerleader. We have the same practice schedule, and I can always magically bump into Mark. Put in a good word for you.”

  She shakes her head. “That’s okay. If he really likes me, he’ll find a way to tell me.”

  I give her a thumbs up. “Atta girl.”

  As soon as she leaves my room I let her words repeat in my head. Jeez, even for a girl who’s never had a boyfriend before, she’s smarter in that department than I am. At least she gives better advice than my best friend did. I’m not going to just forgive Adam like usual. If he’s truly sorry, he’s going to have to do more than send me text messages. He’s going to have to really work for it.

  Adam races up to me in the morning before first bell. “Babe. Babe. Babe. I’m so-so-so sorry. I’m the biggest asshole in the whole wide world.”

  Instead of staying strong and making him really work for my forgiveness, I cave like a house of cards. I’m such a loser.

  My own sister wrinkles her nose at Adam as he presses his lips to my cheek. She walks past us, and I feel slightly pathetic.

  “Aw. I knew you’d make up,” Rachel coos from behind us.

  Before she can gush anymore, Jared and Mark walk past. Rachel instantly turns her attention to Jared. “Hey Jared. There’s a party at Melanie’s tonight. You coming?”

  “Probably not. Got curfew.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad. You could have seen my new bikini. It’s red.”

  He shrugs and keeps walking while Mark elbows him. I turn to Adam. “Are you going to Melanie’s?”

  “Not sure. Hey, uh … you want to go out to dinner this Saturday?”

  “Dinner? Really? You still want to do that?”

  He nods. “Yeah. I was thinking dinner and a movie.”

  I kiss him. “I’d love that.”

  “Great. We’ll talk about what to see at lunch.”

  “Okay.”

  Maybe I had it all wrong. Adam really could be awesome when he wanted to.

  Chapter Five

  Layla

  Adam is running late for our date. I look back at my phone, trying desperately not to worry. Maybe something bad happened. He would have called, right? What if he couldn’t call though? Oh, my God, I can’t stop freaking out!

  I start to pace the living room when my doorbell rings. I rush to the door and frown as soon as I see Chase.

  “Hey Layla. Is Juliet up in her room?”

  I nod and step aside so he can enter the house. He smiles at me. “You look nice. Date night?”

  “Something like that. Did you see Adam out there?”

  He raises a brow. “Like out on the street or parked in the driveway?” I must look crazy cause he takes a step back and says, “Nope.” He goes towards the stairs and hitches a thumb in that direction. “I’m going to go hang out with Juliet now.”

  “Okay.”

  It doesn’t take him long to bolt up the steps. I glance down at my phone again. Thirty minutes late. Adam is officially thirty freaking minutes late. I’m starting to panic and become upset.

  I hope he’s not in an accident somewhere. Then again, I hope he is because then I can’t be mad at him for being this late. Because if he’s not physically unable to call me and tell me why the hell he’s late then I have every reason in the world to be so mad at him.

  The doorbell rings again. I open the door to Adam. Instead of flashing the smile I had intended to give him, I’m ticked off. “Where were you?”

  “I had to do something. It took me longer to take care of than I thought it would. But I’m here now. Why are you mad?”

  “You’re late.”

  “By a couple of minutes. Don’t stress out. Are you ready?”

  I glare at him. “Yeah. Whatever.”

  “Jesus, Layla. Don’t be all pissy with me.”

  Right? Cause I should be happy he’s here. Well, I’m not. He basically said he could have called but chose not to. Any other time that damn phone of his is attached to his hand. He has no problem texting everyone and their mother about stupid, pointless shit twenty-four seven. Yet one phone call to tell me he’s running late and the boy all of a sudden doesn’t know how to operate a phone.

  I slam myself into the front passenger seat of his car and strap in.

  “Damn it, Layla. I’m sorry, okay? Jesus. Next time I’ll be twenty minutes early.”

  I shift in my seat. “It’s not about being early or on time. It’s about respecting me enough to at least tell me you’re running late. I was worried. I thought something horrible happened to you. But it’s like lately … ” I start to sniffle, “it’s like lately I don’t even matter anymore. And I don’t want to be that girlfriend. I don’t. It’s hard though, because you used to be this responsive guy. You used to hold my hand and do sweet things for me. You used to tell me you couldn’t take me home but then found me a ride. You used to show me you gave a damn about me.”

  “And I still do. I just got distracted. I’m sorry.”

  I nod, still pissed.

  At our table, I’m growing more and more frustrated with him. He hasn’t set his phone down once. Not one freaking time. He texted someone while he ordered his drink and his food.

  This is supposed to be a date. He supposedly cares about me but he’s proving just the opposite. He drops his phone into his lap and smiles at me. “What?”

  “Who are you talking to?”

  “Just the guys. Why?”

  “We’re on a date. Why can’t you talk to them after you drop me off?”

  He shrugs. “I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

  “It is.”

  “All right. No cell phone. I’m going to the bathroom.” He fiddles with the buttons on his phone and sets it down on the table. I grab a breadstick from the basket, and his phone vibrates.

  That’s it! I’m about to give someone a piece of my mind. I pick up his phone and open the text.

  Diane: Baby. I miss u. Come over 2nite. I’ll b waiting 4 U just like this.

  The phone buzzes in my hand again, and there on the screen is a naked girl with a mask on her face. What the hell?

  I scroll through the messages, and my heart shatters. What in the hell? There are lots of sex messages between them and pictures. Lots of naked pics with masks and downright dirty poses.

  I blink a few times hoping the images will change or delete themselves. They don’t. The phone trembles in my hand. My boyfriend of almost a year is cheating on me. How could … I need more proof. That seems absurd, I know, but I need to know how long this has been going on. And if there are one thing movies have taught me about this crap, don’t jump into conclusions. Heck for all I know she could be some loser stalker who is really into him and he doesn’t have the heart to shut it down. Maybe it’s a joke---like a really stupid joke one of his idiot friends is playing on him and he’s trying to catch them red handed. Whatever it is I need this girl to tell me how long this crap has been going on, but I won’t do it using his phone.

  I pull out my cell and save her number. I put his phone back in the same spot and swipe away the stray tears from my eyes. As soon as Adam returns I say, “I don’t feel so good. Can we go home?”

  “Um … yeah. I hope you’re not coming down with a bug or something, and I catch it. We’ve got our game against Maysville this week.”

  “Yeah. Me too.” Jackwad. I hope I don’t catch anything from your newfound thot!

  We get our food to go, and he pays for the meal and then drives me home. I don’t kiss him goodnight. Hell, I don’t even say I love you. I just walk up to my room and begin texting the girl named Diane.

  I sniffle a lot so my microphone only catches bits and pieces of what I’m saying. I take a chance and start using my thumbs to type out my warning.

  Me: You should know Adam is a two-timing jerk and you should probably stop sending him naked pics of yourself.

  The mysterious Diane doesn’t respond right away. So, I set my phone aside and lie on my bed until I hear the soft buzzing sound.

  Chapter Six

  Tyler

  Kelly, one of the four hottest cheerleaders on the squad, takes a seat in my lap. Austin is next to me with his hands full of Rachel. She’s what I like to call a “cheer-bunny.” Not only is she a hot cheerleader, but she only dates football players. There are seven players on the team who haven’t yet tapped that.

  Well, make that six, because it looks like Austin is about to head upstairs with her. Kelly’s hand skims down my chest, drawing my gaze back to her. She giggles at something funny.

  She sways a bit and I roll my eyes. “Babe. You’re gorgeous and all, but I think you should go lie down in the spare room.”

  She licks her lips but it looks overly exaggerated. I pick her up and carry her up the stairs. She giggles as the hoots and hollers reach us. Freaking rosebuds. I deposit her in the guestroom and say, “Don’t open this door for anyone. Got me?”

  Kelly looks confused, and I sigh. “I’m locking you in here so no one tries messing with you. You’re too drunk. I won’t put it past some of these guys to take advantage of you. Sleep it off.”

  “But … ”

  Yeah, I don’t sleep with girls so wasted they’re practically comatose. I turn away from her after she starts peeling off her clothes. I open the door and flip the lock then shut her in the room.

  This party is a bust. I don’t feel like returning to the drunks downstairs, so I head to my room. As I take a seat in my gaming chair in front of my 70” flat screen, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I’m half tempted to ignore it since it’s probably one of the dipshits downstairs.

  With a sigh, I pull out my phone and read a text message from some random number.

  Random number: u sboulo knaw Adam is o 5 tinimg jerk & o should probobiy stop sendlng him naked pLcs ot ursit.

  Um, what the flying hell? Drunk people should not be allowed around phones. I stare at the message then start laughing like a toddler at the word “naked.” So the gist of the message is Adam, the jerk, should stop sending naked pics of himself to himself. Maybe. Wait; that makes no sense. Of course, drunk people rarely make sense. Let’s try this again. I read it a few more times. We have a few Adams on our football team. Maybe it was meant for one of those guys?

  Me, Larken, and Kent have done a lot of dumb shit for laughs, but sending junk pics to people on my team isn’t one of them. Whoever’s doing this must be one dumb son of a bitch.

  I could be nice and say, “Hey, you’ve got the wrong person.” But I’m dying to get a rise out of someone tonight. Sure, it’s an asshole move on my part. But at this point, I really don’t care.

  Me: Can’t help if ur man wants to see all these goods.

  Random number: Did u knaw he has a GF?

  Me: Not sure wtf that was but if you’re asking if I knew he was with someone I did. And I don’t really give a shit.

  Random number: You sound like a real bitch! You better hope I never see you in person.

  Me: Whoa! I’m just having fun here. No need for all that. Let’s keep it classy.

  Random Number: Classy? You’re the 1 sending naked pics to someone else’s man.

  Oh shit, this is just too freaking funny.

  Me: Well it’s been fun. Gonna go find someone to hookup with, and btw I’m a guy, and your boyfriend sounds like a real prick.

  Random number: Wait, what?

  Me: Not a chick.

  Random number: But you have girl parts. I saw the pics.

  I laugh so hard my abs ache. I haven’t had a laugh like this in ages.

  Me: Wrong number.

  Random number: Y didn’t u say something sooner?

  I really can’t argue. But hell, whoever this is totally entertained me.

  Me: Just having a little fun.

  Part of me felt like I knew her, or at least wanted to. Hell, if she’s looking for revenge sex to get back at Adam, I’m down. Teach that prick a lesson. Greater good and all. But I’ll draw the line if it could cause a shit ton of problems on our football team.

  Me: Sorry. Hope u find whoever u were looking for …

  Random Number: I’m Faye btw

  Me: Cool. Maybe try again when ur sober tho.

  Faye: I’m not drunk!!!

  Me: Yeah. OK. Well. Ur texts are a little drunk sounding.

  Faye: F U! I’m dyslexic

  Ah shit! Way to step in it, Tyler.

  Me: Sorry.

  Faye: Whatever. I hope my misery is making ur night.

  Me: I really am sorry. For what it’s worth the guy seems like a total tool.

  Faye: He’s been cheating on me.

  Me: Sucks. How did u find out?

  Why the hell am I asking this Faye chick this? I should stop texting her and go back to the party. I don’t need to get involved in someone else’s drama. For all I know she’s probably crazy.

  Faye: They were texting each other while we were supposed 2 b on a date.

  Aw. Jeez what an idiot. Okay, even if this Faye chick is possibly batshit crazy, he’s a dumbass. I’m not the cheating type. But if I were, I’d be smart enough not to text the other girl while on a date with my girlfriend.

  Me: Yeah, he’s a moron. Ur better off.

  Faye: Thanks.

  Me: I have 5% battery left. I hope u tell that bitch off. And kick ur ex in the sack. He deserves it.

  Faye: Thanks. Gonna hang out with my sis & eat chocolate.

  Me: Chocolate and hanging with fam is always a good choice.

  Faye: G’Nite.

  Me: U 2.

  “What’s up, Ty? You’re not even making the easy shots,” Jared says as he smacks me on the back.

  This is by far the worst game of pool I’ve ever played in my entire life. I keep thinking about Faye. I woke up this morning and reread her texts. Then I went searching for her in the yearbook. But she wasn’t in there. She must be new, or maybe she goes to Blackhawk, our rival school.

  “Dude. What’s wrong with you?” Jared asks breaking my concentration.

  “I got a weird text last night. Anyway, I decided to mess with the person. Turns out the girl’s boyfriend cheated on her. She texted me by accident, thinking I was the girl he was cheating with.”

  “Let me guess. You made her cry by pretending to be screwing her boyfriend or something.”

  “Kind of. I feel bad about it.”

  Jared shakes his head. “Did you apologize?”

  “Yes. I just feel bad still. I mean I hope she finds the person she needs to.”

  Jared gives me a look. “Wait. Do you know the person who texted you?”

  I shrug. “She said her name’s Faye. But I didn’t find anyone named Faye in the yearbook.”

  He wrinkles his nose. “Dude. You’re joking, right?”

  “Nope. Why?”

  “Uh you probably didn’t find a Faye because you’re probably talking to some thirty-year-old.”

  No way! “Ah shit,” I say. He could be right. It shouldn’t matter since we’re never going to talk again. But she didn’t seem like she was older than me.

  We shoot a few more balls in, and Mark enters my game room. Jared shoots him a glare then huffs, “I, uh … gotta get back home.”

  Mark swaps glances at both of us then he settles on Jared. “I just got here. Are you serious, bro?”

  Jared drops his stare to the floor. “Yeah, sorry. You know how my dad is with the training and stuff. Gotta bounce.” He steps past Mark and throws out a closed fist to me. I tap it with my own.

  “See ya,” I say.

  As soon as Jared leaves, Mark snaps, “You believe him? He’s still pissed at me.”

  “Well, he didn’t tell me about it. Trouble in paradise?” I joke.

  Mark shoves me. “Stop saying shit like that.”

  I chuckle. “Fine.”

  Mark grabs a pool stick and starts hitting balls into the pockets. “I think it had to do with me telling Austin I was going to ask Juliet Valentine out.”

  I stop smirking at him. “Dude. That’s not cool. You know Jared has been wanting her since elementary school. Seriously?” What in the hell is wrong with him? No wonder why Jared went all Dr. Freeze as soon as Mark showed up.

  Mark shrugs. “What? I like her. He’s had plenty of chances to make his move. Are we all supposed to sit back and not ask out certain people because Mr. All-American might like them? Everyone kisses his ass. I’m freaking fed up with it.”

  Part of me gets his point. Jared has had plenty of time to grow a pair and ask Juliet out. At the same time, there are rules, and this is definitely a bro-code violation. “Dude, you’re a jackass.” I pull out my phone, scroll through random messages, and land on my conversation with Faye. Okay, yes, I saved her name in my phone. Don’t ask me why but I want an unbiased opinion on breaking total bro-code.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22