Part 6 (1/2)
”It's possible. Your stuff is so randomly interesting.” He eyes my science kit and then scans through the pile of papers in his hands. ”You got any other lists that need checking off? College tuition aside, I'm also trying to save for a new car.” He laughs.
When I don't answer, his expression changes to genuinely concerned. ”Hey. Kidding. I make stupid jokes all the time. You'll get used to me, don't worry...or...I can stop making the jokes, I guess.”
”I...I'm not worried,” I lie, trying to keep my voice steady because I feel like I've entered another world. A world where Gray Porter is holding my things and telling me I'm going to get used to him. ”We need to meet and flesh out the details of our...you know...whatever. I don't know what to call it. Our contract.”
”I was thinking the same thing. But can we call it our epic summer romance? Contract sounds so stuffy.” He smiles again.
Again, I don't smile back.
”Sorry.” His laugh sounds embarra.s.sed. ”It's quite possible I won't be able to stop the jokes.”
”Try. I'd prefer to keep this-us-all business.”
”I'm going to work on it. Promise. What should I do first? For the job, I mean. Besides no more joking.”
I let out a long sigh. ”You'll need to break up with all your hopefuls, or whatever you call the girls sniffing about your ankles. And I mean today.” I jerk my head at the gaggle of girls waiting for Gray at the top of the steps that lead down to the parking lot.
He glances behind him and grins. ”Wow. We have quite an audience. I'm holding at single status. Waiting only for you. And that's not a joke, by the way. So where should we meet later?”
It's all I can do not to cringe and run away. Instead, I swallow, realizing too late that I've hired the wrong guy. Pretend-dating Gray Porter is going to be like pretend-dating a rainbow. Everyone looks at him all the time. Which means, if I'm near him, everyone's looking at me. Not ideal. I feel like holes are being stared into my back right now. ”I help with Coach Williams' after school music program from two-thirty to four-thirty. How about you meet me in his cla.s.sroom at 3:45?”
He shakes his head. ”Coach Williams' cla.s.sroom? h.e.l.l, no. He's a complete a.s.s. Pick another spot.”
”No. I only have a thirty minute break in there. Meaning, I can't leave to meet you anywhere else. Coach Williams heads to the weight room to check on the hockey team. I'm supposed to set up his room for the next group of kids. I'm mostly a babysitter to anyone who's dropped off early. After the music program's finished, Coach Williams meets the team over at the Golden sports complex and-”
”I know where he goes.” Gray's voice has turned cold. ”I work afternoons and nights at the sports complex. I simply don't want to go near that guy's cla.s.sroom.”
”Why? Did he cut you from the hockey team and now you're bitter?” I guess, relieved his bad att.i.tude has nothing to do with me. As much as Coach Williams is a softie for the music kids, everyone knows he's rough on his team.
”Not even. I play compet.i.tive inline hockey. My ice time is spent teaching the little guys at the complex. I'd never play ice for that tool.”
”Okay.” I shrug. ”I don't speak Hockey. I have no idea what you just said. You're going to have to get over your Coach Williams phobia and meet me in the music room. 3:45. Don't be late.”
”Listen to the boss-girl.” He sounds really agitated.
”Please,” I soften my tone. ”I swear he won't be around. Meeting there will be private. No one will see us.” I point to the now even larger crowd of people watching us. ”Your pride and your popularity will be safe.”
He shakes his head. ”That's what you think? That I don't want anyone to see me with you? Why do you think I approached you with everyone watching? I did it on purpose.”
”Oh...well...next time can you not be so obvious? I'm truly uncomfortable, if you must know.”
He sighs. ”We're about to be going out. Us going out has to start with us at least hanging in public and talking, or no one's going to buy it.”
I nod, hating that he's right. ”I guess I didn't think through the day-to-day mechanics of having a fake boyfriend. Hmm. Public hanging out...seems so extreme. We only have this week of school left. Will anyone really care or notice?”
”It's up to you, but you need to decide. Don't think I'm giving up the money. We shook. Next week we both report to Geekstuff.com. How deeply you want to play the rest of our deal is up to you.”
His smile is shameless as he points to the audience at the top of the steps. ”If you don't want my services, then it's only fair you cut me loose so I can make another girl or two happy this summer. Or three.” He s.h.i.+fts my papers into a neater pile.
”What will they do once I take you off the market?” I ask. ”I can only imagine the poor girls wandering around like a lost herd of sheep all summer, wondering where you went.” I risk another glance at the staring girls and shudder. ”Do they even blink? Baa. Baa. Baa.”
He shakes his head and laughs. ”Like I said yesterday, you're really funny.”
I arch one brow as high as I possibly can, pretending to ignore him and the fact that his compliment almost made me smile. ”It's nice to know Mich.e.l.le Hopkins has some other skill besides chewing gum and tossing pom-poms. She's texting so fast her phone's about to catch fire. And what's up with the tall blonde who's giving me the stink eye?”
”Hey, Mich.e.l.le's cool. But you're right about the blonde. She's got some sort of crush on me. I'm hoping our budding relations.h.i.+p will kill it, so thanks. My bonus will be her moving along.”
”Serious?” I glare. ”I'll need a list of your most dangerous stalkers. I don't want to end up in a surprise nail scratching event over you.”
”Would you please try to muster at least one expression showing you might be happy we're talking to each other?” He reaches forward and tucks a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
I'm startled, but then happy because, just like yesterday, I didn't have the urge to flinch!
And then, I'm annoyed. With him and myself.
Those stupid b.u.t.terflies are back. Wreaking havoc from my stomach to my toes. Does this mean all summer long I'll be dropping stuff, feeling slightly dizzy and unable to breathe?
I'm about to launch one of my scathing comments; but before I can zing one, Gray places his fingertip gently against my lips.
He shakes his head as though he knows my game and jerks his head toward the people behind us. ”I'm thinking a smile would work better. We should use the attention to our advantage.”
His voice is b.u.t.ter soft as he continues, ”Come on, Jess. Just try...or pretend or whatever works to get you through this. It's all for show.”
Brutally aware of just how warm his finger is against my lips, I oblige his request. ”Like this?” I roll my eyes, pulling my fake, too-many-teeth-showing camera smile, and I shove my Bunsen Burner between us like a s.h.i.+eld.
He grins. ”Ridiculous, but it's a start. No more snide comments.” He moves his finger to run it down the bridge of my nose, tapping the tip once.
I'm completely undone. Melted, mush.
All I can do is stare at the way his smile makes the corners of his eyes crinkle! Do all cute guys have these things?
And his lips...the guy has amazing lips.
And d.a.m.n those eyes straight to h.e.l.l. How is it possible he has lashes that look like they came from a magazine?
I clutch the beakers close when I realize my grip has become dangerously loose. Tearing my gaze away from his face, I feel heat hit my cheeks and burn down to my toes. With two small touches and a smile, he's killed my brain.
Baa, Baa, Baa! I'm just like those other sheep.
Just in case Gray's noticed my complete lapse, I widen my smile and speak through my teeth, trying to make myself look like an obnoxious ventriloquist. ”How long do I have to keep up the happy part? I'm getting a cramp.”
”That's the spirit.” He chuckles, leaning forward as though to look deep into my eyes. I figure he's trying to make a show to his friends that we're sharing a private joke. So awkward. Instead of pulling back like I want, I laugh too, and continue to avoid his gaze by darting a glance over my shoulder to check if everyone's still watching us.
Oh, they are. My heart is racing so fast I feel faint.
The way Mich.e.l.le's holding up her phone, I wonder if this moment is about to be posted on YouTube.