Perfect for You(36)

“People change.”

Is he saying he’s changed? I highly doubt that. “How’s Stacy?”

“Who?”

Nope. Same Derrick. Of course he doesn’t remember the name of the girl he cheated on me with. Why would he? She was just another freshman to him. A plaything. I almost feel sorry for her. “Nice to know the girl you left me for was so memorable to you.”

He looks me up and down, taking in every inch of my body. “You know, I can’t seem to remember why we broke up. But now that I’m back, we should hang out some time.”

I’ve never wanted to hit someone so badly. The only thing stopping me is my match on Thursday. I can’t risk hurting my hand on this loser’s face. “I don’t think so. I’m much too old for you.”

“Too old?” He completely doesn’t get the dig. Is he really this dense?

“I thought you had a thing for freshmen girls.” I’m tempted to mention Liz. Her slutty little freshman self deserves getting played by someone like Derrick. Oh, what the hell. “I could introduce you to one you’d really like, if you want.”

“Setting me up? Isn’t that a little weird, considering we dated?”

“Not really. It would be pretty much—no, exactly like when we were dating. You making out with some other girl. Just try not to do it in front of my locker this time, would you?” My emotions pour out of me. There’s so much I want to say to him. So much I want him to know. Like how he hurt me. How I couldn’t trust another guy until Ash came along. How much I hate him for humiliating me. On second thought, do I want him to know all that? It wouldn’t change anything. He’s not the type of guy to learn from his mistakes or even to say he’s sorry. The only thing I’d be doing is hurting myself by opening up all those feelings.

“Were you always this feisty?” He crosses his arms and stares at me like he’s impressed.

“I don’t have time for this.” I start for my locker, but he grabs my arm.

“What’s your deal?”

Really? “Derrick, I have no desire to bring up the past, to talk to you, or to see your face.”

“Why? Because we broke up?” He holds his arms out. “We’re in high school, Meg. People break up. What’s the big deal?”

“The big deal is you humiliated me. You were making out with another girl in front of my locker. You didn’t have the balls to break up with me, so you decided to do it by shoving your tongue down Stacy’s throat.”

“Stacy.” He nods, finally remembering who she is. “She still go here?”

“Oh, my God! You’re such a dick!” I step forward and smack him clear across his face.

He grabs his cheek, which is bright red. “What the hell?”

“Meg!” Ash rushes up to me, stepping between Derrick and me. I notice the roses in Ash’s hand.

“Ash, it’s okay.” I reach for his arm and tug him back.

“Did you touch her?” Ash is only concerned with Derrick right now.

“She slapped me, man. I didn’t touch her.” Derrick looks around Ash, glaring at me. “I wouldn’t touch her. She’s got major issues.”

Thanks to you, you ass! I’m about to lose it again, but Ash blocks me, getting right in Derrick’s face. “Don’t talk to her. Get the hell out of here before I shove my fist down your throat.”

Derrick scoffs, but he walks away. Ash is a lot bigger than he is, and Derrick wouldn’t be able to pick up as many girls with a black eye or a broken nose. That, and I’m not worth getting beaten up over. I’m sure that’s how he sees it. I was never worth it to him. Never good enough to be faithful to. Never worth his time.

Ash turns to me. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. He didn’t touch me.”

“Who is he?”

“No one. Just a guy who used to go to school here. He’s a jerk.”

“What did he do to make you hit him?”

What didn’t he do? “It’s too long a list. Besides, it’s our anniversary. I really don’t want to talk about Derrick.”

“Derrick? Why do I know that name?” Ash wrinkles his brow and my chest tightens. Maybe he has heard the story. “Is he…? You used to date him, didn’t you?”

I nod, not ready to say the words out loud to Ash.

He shakes his head. “First Noah and now this. Unbelievable. Everywhere I turn, there’s another guy I have to worry about. I’m so sick of this, Meg. How do you expect me to handle this?”

I don’t know what to say, and somehow I know “happy anniversary” isn’t going to help.





Chapter Seventeen


The morning bell rings and everyone pours into the hallway. There’s no time to work this out now. Our anniversary morning wasn’t supposed to start this way. I want to wrap my arms around Ash and kiss him, start this day all over. But he turns and opens his locker. He sighs as he takes the present out and looks at me.

“This is why you were here early?”

I nod, still finding it hard to talk.

Ash hands me the roses he’s been holding, but doesn’t say anything. Then he peels the wrapping paper off his present, tossing it into his open locker. He lifts the lid on the box and pulls out the tickets.