Perfect for You(28)

“Why? Did he get in trouble after the last party?” I’m not surprised. The place was a disaster after everyone left.

“You could say that. Anyway, I’m at Tucker’s. He has a big basement. Of course it’s become a big video game tournament since Tucker owns every game ever made.”

Noah bends down, looking into my eyes. I have no idea what he’s doing, but I suddenly realize Ash is still talking and I’m not listening at all. I’m lost in Noah’s eyes.

“Meg?” Ash says, breaking me out of my trance.

“Huh?”

Noah smiles, knowing he’s distracted me.

“Is that okay or will your parents be in bed by then?” Ash asks.

Is what okay? I nudge Noah with my foot, knocking him off balance. He topples backward into the little rose bushes my mom has lining the driveway. “Are you all right?” I blurt out. My hand immediately covers my mouth.

“Who are you talking to?” Ash asks.

Shit! “Oh, um, my neighbor. He fell.”

“You’re outside? I thought you just got out of the shower.”

Damn it! I really suck at lying. “I’m dressed. Don’t worry.”

Noah gets up and picks a few thorns out of his arm. Ouch, that has to hurt. “Um, Ash, I need to help him. Call me when the party’s over?”

“So, ten is okay?”

“To come by?” I ask. Is that what he was talking about before?

“Yeah. Will your parents mind?”

“No. They’re out. They’ll probably be home around eleven.”

“Great. See you then. Love you, Meg.”

“Okay. Bye.” I hang up and stare at Noah’s arm, dripping with blood thanks to me. I hurt him. And I didn’t say I love you to Ash. I’m really making a mess of everything.

I reach for Noah’s good arm. “Come on. I have some antibacterial ointment you can put on that.”

“So this is what I have to do to get invited in? Let you hurt me? Had I known, I would’ve done it sooner.” He’s smirking so I know his arm can’t be hurting that much.

“Yeah, well if you weren’t trying to—what were you trying to do?”

“I was only looking at you. You’re the one who kicked me.”

“Because you looked way too happy about messing up my conversation with Ash.” He can play dumb all he wants. He knows he’s partially to blame for this. I wouldn’t have kicked him if he wasn’t bending down and staring at me so intently. Making me…get lost in his eyes.

“So this is my own fault?”

“Exactly.” I bring him to the downstairs bathroom. No way am I taking him anywhere near my room. I get the ointment from the closet and hand it to him. “Here.”

“You’re kidding, right?” He turns his shoulder so I can see the gashes on the back of his arm. “I can’t see the cuts. You’re going to have to help me.”

Help him? As in rub ointment on his toned triceps?

“Do you have a washcloth to wash the blood off first?” He looks around for one.

I go back to the closet and choose the darkest one I can find. I don’t want to have to explain the blood to Mom later. I wet the washcloth and dab it on the cuts.

Noah jumps. “Whoa, that’s cold.”

“Sorry.” I’m afraid to touch him too much, which is making this really hard to do.

“You can touch me. I promise I won’t bite.” He turns and gives me a sly—totally sexy—smile. “Besides, I don’t want to get you mad. I’ve seen what you’re capable of.”

“Very funny.” I place a shaky hand on his left shoulder to steady myself and him while I wash out the cuts on his right arm. “I’m sorry I knocked you over.”

“I deserved it.” Does he really mean that? Is he aware of what he’s been doing to me?

“I think the bleeding’s stopped. Time for the ointment.” I grab the Q-tips and start applying the cream.

Noah laughs. “Afraid I have a disease or something?”

“They’re open wounds. I don’t want to get germs in them.”

He nods. “So, you’re telling me you’re dirty.” The flirtation in his voice nearly knocks me over.

I glare at him, but not really meaning the harsh look at all. “You could do this yourself, you know.”

He clamps his lips together, signaling he’s finished making comments. I finish with the ointment and return it to the closet. We stand there staring at each other, not knowing what to do. Noah’s in my house. I had to invite him in after I hurt him, but now what?

“Listen, about that movie…”

“You don’t want to go. I get it.” He twists his arm to get a better look at the cuts, and I can’t help wondering if it’s only to avoid my eyes. “What time is Ash coming by?”

“Ten.”

Noah checks his watch and smiles. “Then I have you all to myself for an hour and a half.”

“Noah.” How do I make this clear to him? “You can’t stay. I told you, I don’t feel right about this.”

“Don’t you think it’s odd that you and Ash have to ask each other not to hang out with people who like you? I mean, Ash isn’t supposed to hang out with Liz, and you’re not supposed to hang out with me. Except Ash is with Liz tonight, isn’t he?”