Perfect for You(7)

I smack his arm. “Whatever, you big liar.”

“Cute.” Emma looks back and forth between us. “So, you guys want to hang with us?” She motions to the concession stand behind her where the rest of Noah’s clique is throwing out their trash. “We were about to hit Tube Mountain.”

Noah wags his eyebrows at me. “What luck? That’s where we’re heading.”

Hanging out with Noah and his friends is more than a little intimidating, but after the uncomfortable car ride and the suggestion that I break up with Ash, a group outing—because this is not a date—is definitely a smarter idea.

“Sounds good to me.” I smile at Emma, who’s still staring at me.

The rest of Noah’s friends join us, making a group of six. Noah goes through the introductions, not that it’s necessary. I know who each of them is. Nathan is on the tennis team with Noah. Tyler is the best golfer at Treemont High. And Lindsey is the star sprinter. I can’t help thinking that Ash, being the best football player, should fit in with them, but he doesn’t. These guys are in their own little world. A world where they make the rules and everyone bows at their feet. A world I’ve never been a part of before today.

We head to the locker rooms and change out of our clothes. I check my phone and see there’s a text from Ash.

Ash: For some reason, I miss you extra today. I blame last night.

I check the time of the text. Ten minutes ago. That means I was either draped over Noah’s shoulder or agreeing to spend the day with the popular crowd. Either way, the worst girlfriend award goes to me.

I text him back.

Meg: Same here. See you tonight.

“Ready?” Emma asks. She sees I’m texting and looks over my shoulder. “Who are you talking to?”

“My boyfriend.” God, I hate that my voice is so small right now.

She cocks her head at me. “Boyfriend?”

“Asher Davidson.”

She narrows her eyes like she’s confused. “But you and Noah are hanging out.”

“Yeah, but we’re just friends.”

She puts one hand on my shoulder and sighs. “Noah doesn’t want to be just friends. You know that, right?”

I don’t know what to say. She only ran into us a few minutes ago. How could she know how Noah feels about me? “Did he say something to you?”

“He doesn’t need to. I’ve known him forever. I know when he likes a girl, and he has his eye on you.”

I shrug and put my phone in the locker, shutting the door. “He knows I’m with Ash. He doesn’t seem to care.”

“I didn’t say he cared. Noah doesn’t let anything or anyone stop him from getting what he wants.”

“I’m not a prize or something he can win.”

“I guess we’ll see about that.” She turns and walks out, leaving me there with my mouth gaping open. Is this all a game to people like Noah and Emma?

“You coming?” Lindsey asks me, stopping in the doorway.

“Yeah.” I follow her out because I don’t know what else to do right now. A huge part of me is determined to show them they’re wrong about Ash and me. We are just as good as they are. I’m going to make them see that.

Noah’s eyes linger on me a little too long when I turn the corner. He’s standing at the entrance to Tube Mountain. His navy blue and yellow bathing suit is loud, and I can’t help wondering if he wears it to get people’s attention. He wants people to look at him. To admire his six-pack. (I knew he had a six-pack!) To check out his perfectly toned arms and calves. Damn it! I look down at my flip-flops.

“Nice suit,” Noah whispers as I walk past him and get in line.

“Thanks. It’s not my favorite, but it holds up well in these conditions.”

“What conditions?”

“Me kicking your ass at tubing.” I smile, and the awkwardness fades away, at least for now.

“Ooh, we have a competition on our hands,” Nathan says, slamming a hand down on Noah’s shoulder.

“All right, settle down.” Noah crosses his arms and steps toward me. “Care to make a friendly wager?”

“Depends. What are thinking?”

“It’s no fun if you make me tell you first.”

“Yeah,” Nathan says. “You have to agree before you settle on the terms.” I’m quickly realizing Nathan is Noah’s sidekick.

“Okay, fine. I’ll bite.”

“Did you hear that, Noah?” Tyler says. “She bites.”

Noah smiles at me. “Good to know.”

Crap. I did not mean it that way.

He reaches his hand out, and I hesitate before taking it. No, this is silly. We’re shaking, not holding hands. I give him my hand and we shake, only he doesn’t let go. I stare at our hands, feeling trapped.

“Okay, if you make it down the mountain first, then you get to pick the next challenge,” Noah says.

Simple enough. “Let me guess. If you win, you pick?”

He tugs his hand down, pulling me closer to him. “If I win, you have to kiss me.”

No way. I’m not cheating on Ash. I yank my hand from his. “Not happening.” I turn away, and the ride attendant ushers me up the steps.

“What, Ash is going to flip over you kissing my cheek?” Noah says, following me up the steps.