Playing the Player(44)

This was the problem with me going so long without dating, or going on blind dates from hell courtesy of Desi. I’d forgotten how to be normal around guys.

I jumped up from my chair. Mom was working a twenty-four hour shift, so the rest of the afternoon and night were completely mine. I needed to do something to get out of my head. I didn’t want to turn into one of those stupid obsesso-girls who couldn’t talk or think about anything but some guy.

The bus ride to the shelter would put me there in less than an hour. Sharon was always happy to see me, and there had to be something constructive to do there. Maybe it would absolve a little bit of my guilt about those stupid paychecks sitting in my drawer.

And keep my mind off Slade and his prying questions.





Chapter Twenty-Three


Trina


Monday, June 17

I woke up exhausted. Besides a nightmare about my brother, something I hadn’t had for a long time, I’d also dreamt about Slade. We’d sat under the tree at the park and he’d kissed me, but then he’d pulled away, laughing, and suddenly we were surrounded by a bunch of kids from school, laughing and pointing at me.

Yesterday, before he’d stalked Desi at the mall, Slade had texted me his idea for the day. He wanted to take the kids to a park that had outdoor rock walls for climbing and fountains that shot out of the ground. He’d surprised me by suggesting he pick me up first, and then we’d get the kids.

I’d refused, using my sleeping mom as an excuse, but the truth was I didn’t want him seeing Brian’s shrine, which Mom had set up for this week’s anniversary.

After I showered, I stood in front of the bathroom mirror blow-drying my hair. I yanked my fingers through it, pulling out the ends to make wispy spikes around my face.

Desi had to be wrong. I wasn’t blow-drying long, blonde waves of hair. I didn’t have ginormous boobs or wear tons of makeup. My eyes were brown, not blue or green. I was pale, not suntanned like a beach goddess.

It didn’t make any sense that Slade would turn into the Miss America judge who preferred the girl who won the talent competition instead of the swimsuit contest.

Mom had left a note by the toaster. See you tonight. Pizza and movie? XOXO.

Like I had any other plans?

I made a cup of nasty instant coffee while my Pop Tart toasted. I’d rather have awesome coffee from Starbucks, but I was trying not to spend any extra money. Even though I could afford it, what with the extortion money and all.

I couldn’t stop yawning as I walked down the three flights of stairs from our apartment to the parking lot. Our ancient Honda had seen better days. Sometimes I envied Desi’s newer SUV, with its Bluetooth and GPS. And Slade’s Jetta that he didn’t think was cool enough.

Slade and I had agreed to meet at the park; he’d bring Max and I’d bring Gilly. As I drove, I tried to clamp down the hope bubbling inside of me, but it filled me up just like music did when I danced in my room, when no one was watching.



Gilly tore across the park, heading straight for Max, who was already halfway up a climbing wall. Slade turned, saw me, and turned away.

Startled by the closed expression on his face, I almost tripped. What the heck? My heart had been fluttering the whole drive to the park as I imagined all the different things he might say, and the ways he might look at me.

Ignoring me hadn’t been on my list of possibilities.

I slowed my pace. The hope inside me dimmed, just like turning down the volume on my favorite music.

Slade glanced at me as I paused near where he stood. “Hey,” he said, frowning slightly.

I forced a smile. “Hi.” Maybe he was just tired, like me.

He didn’t return my smile. He took a long drink of coffee from his travel mug and turned his attention back to Max.

I took a deep breath and headed toward the kids. Max looked down from the top of the wall and grinned at me.

“Trina, look what I did! I didn’t even need your magic.”

Since Slade was ignoring me, I was grateful for Max’s excited energy and the distraction of all the spazzy kids running around. “You rock, Max.”

“What about me?” Gilly yelled.

I laughed. “You’re a rock star, too, Gilly.”

“I thought you only called her Gillian.” Slade’s voice startled me.

He’d appeared next to me, still frowning. What was his damage today? One thing was for sure: Desi had totally misread how he felt about me.

I shrugged. “She likes being called Gilly.”

He nodded and took another drink of coffee. The aroma reached my nose. It smelled a lot better than the instant junk I’d had that morning.

“That coffee smells awesome,” I said, trying one last time to shake him out of his funk.

He hesitated then held out the mug. “Try it.”

“Uh, that’s okay. I already had some this morning.” The idea of putting my lips where his had just been was more than I could handle.

He narrowed his eyes, and then took another drink. “Whatever.”

I’d had enough of his attitude. Scoping out the park, I noticed a couple of cute girls checking out Slade. I snuck a glance at him and saw that he’d noticed them, too.

Clearly the last person Slade was interested in was me.

“Hey, Max, did you see that cool slide?” I pointed toward the playground where a tall, twisting slide towered over all the other equipment.