Perfect for You(9)

I rush back outside, bumping into Noah. “Oh!”

“Sorry. What’s the hurry?”

“I have to go. The Football Challenge starts at seven. I’m going to be late as it is.”

“I’ll drive you.”

Really? Would he offer to drive me to meet my boyfriend if he liked me as more than a friend? “No, I’ll take a cab. Stay. Your friends are here. I’ll be fine.”

“Not happening.” He takes my hand, not in a boyfriend-girlfriend way. In a “we’re in a hurry” kind of way. He leads us through the crowds of people, weaving in and out of them at a brisk jog. We make it to his car, and he grabs the keys from a pocket in his bathing suit.

“What about all your stuff? Isn’t it still in your locker?”

“I’ll text Nathan to get it for me. There’s no time to go back for it now.”

I can’t believe he’s dropping everything to take me to Ash. Maybe I’ve been overreacting. Maybe Noah is just looking out for me.

“Thanks.” I buckle up and hold my cell in my lap, staring at the screen showing my missed messages. I really screwed up this time. And all for what?

“No big deal.” He grabs a T-shirt from a bag in the back seat and puts it on. “I kind of kidnapped you today. You told me you had other plans.”

At least he realizes he ambushed me this morning. Of course that means he also realizes I ditched my best friend and jeopardized meeting my boyfriend for him. Not good. I fidget in the seat, staring at my reflection in the window. Who am I lately? Ash tells me he loves me and here I am, not even twenty-four hours later, out with another guy. A guy I’ve had a crush on. A guy that reminds me of…

“Are you mad at me?” Noah asks, glancing at me quickly before turning off the highway.

“No.” I’m mad at myself.

“Sorry if coming along today gets you in trouble with your friends.”

Friends. Is he avoiding the word “boyfriend” on purpose? “I didn’t have to agree to it.”

“I’m glad you did though.” He reaches across the middle console and places his hand on top of mine.

I pull away. “Noah—”

“Sorry, my bad.” He grips the steering wheel again, and we don’t talk for the rest of the ride. Noah pulls into the school driveway and finds a parking spot.

“What are you doing?” I expected him to drop me off.

He shrugs and gets out of the car. “I’m here. I may as well see what all the fuss is about.”

I get out, shaking my head. “No, go back to your friends. I’m sure they’re still at the water park.”

“I’m sure they are, but I don’t feel like going back. I’d rather stay here.”

Even though he doesn’t say it, I get the implied “with you.” This is worse than bad. If I show up with Noah, Ash is going to flip.

“What? Think lover boy won’t be happy to see us together?”

Exactly.

“He knows we’re practicing together, right?”

I nod. “But this isn’t practice. I’ve never seen you go to a single football game, so how do you explain wanting to watch this?”

He steps toward me, taking in every inch of me. “I can explain it, but he probably won’t like it.”

No, he won’t. “Please, Noah, don’t do this. You’re putting me in a really bad position.”

“Don’t worry so much. He’ll assume we were practicing and came over afterward. Besides, the fact that I’m here might be a good thing. I wouldn’t show up if he had anything to worry about, right?” His questioning tone speaks volumes. Either he wants me to admit Ash does have something to worry about, or he wants to lull Ash into a false sense of security. Or maybe I have it all wrong. Maybe he knows how Ash will react and it’s exactly what he’s hoping for. All this wondering is giving me a killer headache.

“Do I have to carry you there over my shoulder again?”

“No!” I put my hands up. That would be more than disastrous. I start walking to show him I’m willing to go as long as he keeps his hands to himself. He laughs, and every so often he leans toward me, pretending he’s going to scoop me up and fling me over his shoulder.

“Not funny, Noah.”

“Yes, it is. If someone didn’t have you on such a short leash, you’d see that.”

“Don’t.” I stop walking and face him. “Don’t talk about him like that.”

He holds his hands up. “I was only joking.” He gestures for me to continue, and thankfully he doesn’t try to pick me up or even pretend to.

The practice football field is packed with players, but not many people showed up to watch. Really only the football players and cheerleaders care about this little tradition. I sit down in the stands, trying to make it look like I’ve been there for a while, but Ash turns and sees me immediately. I wave and smile, but his eyes move to Noah sitting next to me. Noah also waves and smiles. Ugh, someone kill me now.

“Can you behave yourself, please?” I say, keeping my eyes on Ash.

“Seriously, Meg, you were a lot more fun at the water park. Actually you were fun yesterday too, until…”

His point isn’t lost on me. He thinks Ash is holding me back. He’s wrong, though. I ignore him and cheer Ash on as the players have a throwing contest. Ash wins hands down. Being the quarterback gives him the definite advantage. The cheerleaders all stand up and cheer, and I can’t help noticing the leggy blonde on the end whose skirt is barely covering her ass. I’ve never seen her before, so I’m willing to bet she’s a freshman. Something about her reminds me of Stacy, which makes me think of Derrick. I shake my head and turn away from her, focusing on Ash again.