“What?” I pause in the doorway, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
“It’s nothing. I just realized you never did answer me about the tutoring thing.”
“You really need a tutor?” Because I’m highly suspicious that this is his way of asking me out.
“A little bit.” The lie is written all over his face, but he doesn’t seem like he’s trying very hard to cover it up. “Maybe you could come over to my apartment tonight and help me with that stupid essay we’re supposed to be writing. We could get some pizza or takeout.”
As we step into the hallway, I open my mouth to answer, still unsure whether I’m going to reject or accept his offer. I never get to find out how brave I’m feeling today, because my phone goes nuts inside my pocket.
“Hold that thought.” I hold up my finger while I dig out my phone from my pocket.
Callie: Hey, you want to go to a carnival tonight? Luke and I are headed to one.
Me: Luke and you? WTF?!?!? I thought you were into Kayden?
Callie: It’s not like that. We’re just friends. I helped him out with something today. And FYI, Kayden and I are just friends, too.
Me: Sure u r ;)
Callie: Le sigh.
Me: Don’t le sigh me, baby girl.
Callie: So, will u come? It should be fun. Plus, I really need u there. I know Luke’s cool and everything, but I still get nervous sometimes and Kayden’s going to be there, too. I’ll be the only girl.
Me: U know I’ll always b there for u.
Callie: Thanks :) You’re the best.
Me: Well, duh. That’s kind of a given. I think I’ll text Kayden and see if he wants a ride. I know he doesn’t have a car.
Callie: Sounds good. Text me when u get there.
I send Kayden a text and we make plans to ride over together. Stuffing my phone back in my pocket, I offer Greyson an apologetic look as I squeeze past people crowding the hall. “Sorry, but I can’t make it tonight.” When his smile falters, I feel like the worst person in the entire universe. Well, besides Kayden’s girlfriend, Daisy. That bitch is seriously evil. “I’d love to help you, but that was one of my friends on the phone. She needs my help with stuff,” I stumble over my words as his frown deepens into a full-on pout. “Carnival stuff.” As soon as I say it, I realize how stupid it sounded. “I swear to God, I’m not blowing you off. I just have this friend who has a hard time around guys and needs me to be there for her when she hangs out with the guy she likes.”
“Is it that girl you were with in the photos?” he asks, relaxing a tad.
“Yeah, she’s been through a lot and is always there for me. If it were anyone else, I would’ve said no. I promise.”
“No, it’s cool. I get it.” He pauses, stopping near the exit doors. “I actually promised a couple of my friends I’d go to the carnival with them sometime this week, so maybe I’ll head down tonight and we can meet up and hang out. Maybe ride the Ferris Wheel or something.”
“Ferris Wheel?” I arch my brow at him. “Isn’t that the one that takes forever to go around in a full circle? Like, the boringest ride ever?”
“What? I find it relaxing,” he says with this sexy half-grin. “Besides, it’s probably one of the best date rides ever because you get to spend all your time talking during the slow circle.”
He waits for me to agree that we should meet up. I know what agreeing would mean, that I’m deciding to open myself up again, to love, to heartache, to pain.
My heart thrashes in my chest as I surprise myself and nod. “Okay, I’ll see you there.”
He grins as he takes out his phone. “What’s your number? I’ll text you when I get there.”
I give him my phone number and he punches it into his contacts. Moments later, my phone vibrates from inside my pocket and I take it out.
Unknown: Hey, it’s Greyson. Thought you should have my number, too.
I fight back a grin, feeling stupidly happy, but I can’t completely ignore the scars on my hand as I send him a reply text.
Chapter 5
Greyson
“Aw, man.” Jenna sticks out her lip at the empty bag of cotton candy she’s holding. “I’m tapped out.”
We’re at the carnival, wandering past the booths. The air smells like candy apples and funnel cakes, neon lights flash against the night sky, and dings and laughter flow around us.
“That’s okay,” Ari says, dragging his fingers through his long black hair. He’s got on a leather jacket, even though it’s seventy degrees out, and seems a little exhausted. “You’ve had so much already you have a sugar high.”
Jenna shakes her head and her pout deepens. “I could eat at least two more bags.”
“Fine, you can eat two more bags, but only if I get to stop on the way home and buy a six pack of energy drinks,” he challenges with his arms crossed and I wonder if keeping up with Jenna’s nonstop energy caused his exhaustion.
Jenna crinkles her nose. “No way. You act like a yo-yo when you drink too many of those.”
“A yo-yo?” I ask, laughing. “What does that even mean?”
She shoots Ari a conniving grin then says, “It means he’s all over the place, like a crazy madman who can’t sit still. Up and down and up and down. It drives me absolutely crazy.”
“Well, I feel the exact same way when you eat too much sugar,” he retorts with a smirk.
I laugh. The two of them have been going back and forth the entire night. I’m starting to realize it’s their thing. They’re really good together, though, and I find myself wishing I had someone to be that way with. With the guys I’ve dated in the past, I never felt connected enough.
“You look good tonight,” Jenna says to me as she balls up the bag and chucks in into a nearby trash bin. “Do you have a hot date or something?” When I hesitate, her eyes light up. “You so do, don’t you?”
“It’s not a date,” I clarify as we head toward the rides, pushing past a group of people who are either high on sugar or just really fucking happy to be at a carnival. “I just told someone I’d meet him here to hang out.”
“Is it that guy you took all those pictures of?” she asks, slipping her fingers through Ari’s.
I shrug, dodging around a couple making out in front of a balloon game. “Maybe.”
Her lips curve to a grin. “I knew it.” She trades a knowing look with Ari. “Didn’t I tell you that the other day? That he was going to end up with the guy in all his pictures?”