Perfect for You(15)

Chapter Seven


Suddenly, I’m sixteen again, watching Derrick and Stacy make out in front of my locker. God, I hate freshmen girls. Yet in this moment, I become one—at least maturity-wise. I reach up, grabbing Ash’s face, and kiss him. An all-out passionate kiss that makes the football team hoot at us. I don’t care. I’m staking my claim. Ash is mine.

“Damn it, Meg!” Grayson yanks my arm, pulling me away from Ash. “What has gotten into you?”

“What? Can’t a girl kiss her boyfriend?” My voice is loud, ensuring Liz hears the boyfriend part. I don’t want there to be any confusion in that pretty little head of hers.

“Sure you can, but have a little respect for those of us who don’t want to see how far down Ash’s throat your tongue can actually reach.”

I turn to Ash. “I think it’s time we introduce Grayson to Tucker, don’t you?”

He smiles, picking up on my end game: get Grayson with Tucker so we can go back to making out. We find Tucker in front of the TV playing some video game that involves shooting everyone and everything in sight. Ugh. Grayson hates video games. So much for my plan.

“Cool game,” Grayson says, shocking the hell out of me. I give her a look, but she shrugs and mouths, “He’s cute.”

I shake my head. Whatever. Let her have her fun.

Ash taps Tucker on the shoulder. “Hey, Tuck, hit pause for a sec.”

“What’s up?” Tucker tears his eyes away from the game to look at us. Immediately, he notices Grayson. She’s short, curvy in a good way, and has skin that looks tan year-round thanks to her biracial father. Most guys find her attractive. The ones with good taste anyway. “Hey.” Tucker slides over on the couch. “Want to give it a try?” He holds the controller out to Grayson, who smiles back at him.

“I’d love to.” Yeah, she’s so not talking about the video game.

Ash and I hold our laughter until we’re out of the room.

“That went well,” Ash says, pulling me into a secluded corner in the hallway leading to the kitchen.

“Very.” I slip my hands around his waist and tug him toward me.

“Hey, Ash,” Jackson says. “Come play pool with us.”

I’m sure Liz is still bent over the table.

“Maybe later.” Ash pulls me closer. “I’m good here.”

Jackson gives me a look. He doesn’t trust me not to hurt his friend again. I get it. He walks into the kitchen without saying a word.

Ash turns my face back to his. “Don’t worry about him. He’ll get over it.”

“I’m going to get another drink. I put my water down somewhere.” Ash doesn’t have his soda anymore either. We must have dropped them during our make-out session.

“I’ll go with you.”

“No, I’ll get it. You stay here.” He looks toward the kitchen where Jackson is standing by the counter. I lay a hand on his arm. “It’s just something I have to do. I won’t feel right until I talk to him.”

Ash kisses my forehead. “I’ll be right here.”

I smile and take a deep breath, preparing myself for Jackson’s disapproving glare. There are a few other players in the kitchen too, and I don’t really want an audience. “Jackson, could I talk to you for a second? Somewhere else, maybe?”

Jackson grabs a beer off the counter and points toward the back deck. I follow, wondering if he’s only drinking to make it easier to talk to me. He opens the deck door and motions for me to go out first. I can’t help thinking he’ll slam the door behind me, locking me out of the party.

“What?” His tone isn’t the least bit nice.

“I want to explain about what happened after the Football Challenge.”

“Why? You obviously made up with Ash. Why do you care what I think?” He takes a big gulp from his beer.

“Because you’re his friend. I don’t want you to hate me.”

“Didn’t say I did. I just don’t trust you.”

“Fair enough. But I want you to know that I didn’t cheat on Ash. I wouldn’t do that to him.”

“So, you weren’t hanging out with some other guy all day? That’s not why you were late to watch your boyfriend win the Football Challenge? ’Cause last time I checked, tennis players don’t wear bathing suits on the courts, and I’m pretty sure I saw you and Noah enter the stands together so you were definitely together before you showed up.”

Okay, it does look bad, but I turned down Noah’s challenge to kiss him and made it clear that I’m with Ash. “I was with Noah before I got to the Football Challenge, but we were in a group. It’s not like it was a date or anything. We went to the water park. I spent more time with Lindsey and Emma than Noah.”

“You’re hanging with that crowd now?” He takes another sip of beer. I guess I should be happy he’s not chugging it to get through our conversation.

“Not really. They invited me along, and I needed a break from all the court time. I’m sure you have times where you want to get away from the field,” I say, trying to appeal to his inner athlete. Of course the outing had also been about proving to myself that Noah and I can just be friends, but I’m not about to tell Jackson that.