Perfect for You(23)

“What?” I’m staring at him, waiting for him to pick up where he left off, but he doesn’t.

“Please get up, Meg.”

“Why? What’s wrong?” I don’t move, so he lifts me off him and puts me back in my seat.

“All of this is wrong. You know I want this, but it’s not happening like this. I don’t want to remember our first time as being angry make-up sex because we’re both jealous of other people.”

I sigh, leaning my head back against the seat. He’s right. I don’t need any more bad memories to add to the pile. Derrick left me with enough. I’ve always been thankful that none of them had to do with sex. At least not between him and me. I’m sure he and Stacy…

“What do we do?” I ask.

He turns my chin so I’m facing him. “I want you to stop seeing Noah. I’m not okay with him liking you.”

I don’t know if I can do that, but if it means keeping Ash and getting him away from Liz, I’m going to try. “Then I want you to stop seeing Liz.”

“There’s nothing going on there.”

“Yes, there is, Ash. I know there is.”

“Where is this coming from?” He’s one of the few people who doesn’t know about Derrick. At least I don’t think he does. I’ve been dragging the hurt around for two years, but I don’t talk about it.

“Please, just trust me. I know what I’m talking about. I know girls like her.”

“She’s really—”

I hold my hand up to stop him. “Don’t defend her to me. You’ll only make this worse. It’s Noah for Liz. Plain and simple.” I can’t believe we’re bargaining with people like this. What does this say about our relationship?

“Fine. I’ll do just about anything to get that guy away from you.”

“You won’t talk to Liz anymore?” I want to make sure he’s clear on this.

“Talk to her? I thought you didn’t want me to hang out with her. I see her every day. I’m going to have to talk to her.”

“Are you okay with me talking to Noah?” I’m playing dirty, but I’m desperate. Despite my strange relationship with Noah, I really do love Ash. Losing him would destroy me.

“Honestly? No. I don’t want him even looking at you.”

“Ash, you can’t—”

“I know.” He smacks the steering wheel. Ash has a lot of amazing qualities, but he does have a temper, too. “No talking, to Noah or Liz.”

“Deal.” I only know one way to go through with this plan. I have to pour myself into this relationship. Focus so fully on Ash that the rest of the world slips away, including Noah. “Can I please kiss you now?”

Ash pulls me back onto his lap the second I finish getting the words out.





Chapter Eleven


During last period study hall, I take a seat in the back corner of the library behind the stacks, hoping that if Noah shows up, he won’t see me. I put my ear buds in and set my iPod to shuffle. I can’t concentrate on the history term paper I’m supposed to be writing. I’m thinking about my plans for the weekend. Ash has a pre-game party tonight with the football team, so Grayson and I are going to a movie. The football game is Saturday morning, and then Ash and I will be together for the rest of the weekend.

“What are you listening to?” Noah asks, coming up behind me and whispering in my ear. He gently tugs on my ear bud, removing it from my ear and putting it up to his. He’s so close I can smell the soap on his skin. I breathe in a little too deeply, judging by the look he gives me. Crap. Caught smelling someone who isn’t my boyfriend. Someone I’m not supposed to be talking to or hanging out with.

“I have to get moving on my history paper.” I shut off my iPod, yanking the other ear bud out.

“What’s it on? Maybe I can help.” He’s not getting it.

“No, I’ve got it. Thanks. I just need some space so I can concentrate.”

He reaches for my hand, brushing my palm with his fingertips the way he always does. It’s such a small thing, but it has a huge effect on me. “You cold?” My arms are covered in goose bumps from his touch.

I pull my hand away. “I can’t.” I hope he understands what I mean.

“Can’t what?” He’s going to make me say it.

“Do this anymore.” I keep my voice low, not wanting anyone to overhear.

“This? What’s this?”

“Whatever it is we’re doing.” My eyes plead with him. He’s the stronger of the two of us. I need him to pull away.

“What are we doing, Meg?” He steps closer, and I can smell a faint scent of cinnamon on his breath. I love cinnamon.

“I don’t know, but it has to stop. I promised Ash.”

“Oh.” He doesn’t move away. “Does he know about the trainer’s office?”

“No.” My eyes widen. Noah wouldn’t tell Ash, would he?

“Relax. Nothing happened anyway, right?”

A lot happened. I found out my attraction to Noah is bigger than I thought. “I shouldn’t even be talking to you right now.”

“He asked you not to talk to me anymore?” He sounds hurt, and it tears at my heart.