Perfect for You(41)

Noah reaches for my hand, lacing his fingers through mine. Are we together now? I’m not sure how I feel about that. I don’t want to walk into school holding Noah’s hand for everyone to see. For Ash to see. Yes, he hurt me, but seeing me with Noah would still bother him. I shouldn’t care about his feelings at this point, but I do, because I still love him.

I let the hand holding issue go for now. We’re at my house. No one is going to see us. I grab my keys, but Noah shakes his head. “I’ll drive you. You still aren’t yourself right now. I’d feel better if you didn’t get behind the wheel.”

I nod. Everyone will be in class, so it’s not like it will be public knowledge that Noah drove me to school. “Thanks.”

“It’s no big deal,” he says, opening the passenger door of the Camaro for me.

“I mean for everything.”

He smiles and races around to his side, hopping in next to me. “Can you answer my question now?”

“What question?”

“Can you see yourself in this car?”

I can’t help wondering if Noah somehow knew this would happen, that we’d end up here. “Well, I’m kind of in it already, so yes.”

“Good.” His dimple appears as he starts the car. The drive to school is short, and I wish we had more time before I face the entire student population of Treemont High.

“Any chance some other couple broke up today and everyone is talking about that?” I ask as I undo my seat belt.

“Sorry, not that I know of. But I’ll cross my fingers that something happened while I was with you.”

Something happened all right. I made out with Noah. This whole situation seems surreal. He opens my door for me and reaches for my hand, but I pull away.

“Hey, I hate to ask, but would you mind if we downplay this at school?”

“You don’t want Ash to know about us.”

I’m not even sure what “us” is yet. “It’s a little awkward, you know? I mean, Ash and I just broke up. If I show up at school holding hands with you, everyone will think I was the one who cheated.” I know I’m being selfish, but I can’t handle the thought of people seeing me as a cheater—like Derrick. I don’t want to be anything like him. I don’t want to think I’m capable of hurting someone the way he hurt me.

“Got it, but I’m coming to your match today, so don’t even think about asking me to skip it.”

“Deal.” I smile, and we walk into the school, no hand holding or touching at all. Thanks to my stellar good luck, the moment I’m signed in for the day—very late, but still early enough to count—the bell rings and kids pour into the halls.

“Relax,” Noah whispers to me.

“I don’t think I can.” It’s lunchtime, so we head to the cafeteria. I pause in the doorway and my heart pounds as I think about my usual seat with Ash. Where am I going to sit?

“Do you want me to sit someplace else or with you?” Noah asks. He’s willing to do whatever I want to make all this easier on me. It’s like the universe is trying to tell me to get over Ash and see what’s right in front of me. If only it were that simple.

“Want to eat outside? I don’t think I can handle sitting at my usual table and sitting at yours might be too weird.”

“Sure.” He motions for me to go ahead. I walk toward the back doors of the cafeteria, but I have to go past my usual table. Ash is already there. His eyes rise to mine, and then shift to Noah. Mine stay glued on the person sitting next to Ash, in my seat. Liz.





Chapter Nineteen


She nuzzles up to him. They didn’t waste any time announcing their relationship to the school. I guess I knew this would happen, but seeing her in my seat, slipping so easily into what used to be my relationship is almost unbearable.

Noah places his palm on the small of my back, nudging me forward. “It’s okay. Just keep walking.”

Ash’s eyes lower to Noah’s hand. Is he bothered by this? Why should he be? He has Liz groping him. I reach for Noah’s hand. I can’t get through this without him. I feel like I’m using him, but he doesn’t seem to mind. We head outside and, luckily, we’re the only ones eating out here.

“Sorry,” I say. “That was harder than I thought it would be. I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s okay that you held my hand, Meg. I get it. You’re not over him. I can be patient. As long as I know you have feelings for me and this isn’t just about him, I’m okay with it.”

“I really don’t deserve you right now.”

“Don’t think like that. I like the confident Meg, remember?” He smiles, trying to make me feel better.

The rest of the day is no easier. I don’t talk to anyone in the hall or in my classes. Grayson is still pissed. I can’t believe after my break up with Ash that she’s still mad at me. I need her right now. Noah’s the only one I have. Study hall finally arrives, and I wait in the back of the library for Noah.

He slides into the seat next to me. “How are you doing? You ready for the match?”

I haven’t even thought about the match. “The girl I’m playing isn’t very good. Shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Well, you should still get your head in the game. It will do you good to forget about everything else.”