Bad Boy Blues(31)

“What?”

His eyes bore into mine. The blackness of them reaches out and almost consumes me. “You think about me all the time. I’m the only thought in your head. I make your heart beat faster, don’t I? I make your chest feel tight. You shiver when I’m close. Your pulse is fluttering on your neck. Tell me, did it flutter when he asked you out?”

I gasp; the bastard overheard everything.

Damn it.

And he’s right. He’s so fucking right but I don’t have the time to argue with him.

Zach chuckles humorlessly. “No secrets, remember?” He shakes his head once, slowly. “You wanna fall in love, huh? Let me tell you something about love, Blue. It hurts. Remember when you cut your palm and it was bleeding? It’s like that. Only the cut is in your heart and the blood never stops. In love, you bleed forever. Do you wanna bleed forever, Blue? I bet your heart is real fragile. I bet it cuts easily.”

Every part of my body is attuned to his words, especially my heart. The thing that bleeds in love, according to him. It’s beating like crazy.

Crazy, crazy, crazy. Like me. Why am I not pushing him away?

The sounds and laughter are growing closer and finally I get enough sense to say something. “Let me go.”

He smirks. “Say please.”

I fist my hands. “Please.”

“That wasn’t so hard, was it?” Getting serious, he continues, “And Blue? A town can handle only one bully and this town’s already got one.”

Something flashes on his face quick like lightning. “Don’t be a bully, Blue. Don’t be like me.”

He tightens his grip on my jaw once more before letting me go and moving away.

Just then, a couple of maintenance guys come into view. They barely pay Zach and me any attention as they walk in another direction.

Deflating, I grab hold of the cart and get out of there.





It feels like the prom.

Tonight’s date with Ryan.

I’m wearing my dark blue dress with white polka dots and pockets. It’s strapless and hugs my body tightly before ending mid-thigh. It’s a kind of dress that I always have to push myself to wear because I think my curves are super visible.

But whatever. I’m wearing it and I have paired it with borrowed blue sandals from Tina.

I told Ryan that I’d meet him right outside the restaurant he picked for us. He was bummed that he wouldn’t get to drive me over but I’m saving that conversation for another time. Fourth or fifth date, maybe.

And now, I’m waiting in front of the restaurant like I was waiting for Neal at prom.

Actually, I don’t think this is like prom at all. Ryan would never cancel on me like Neal did.

In fact, we’ve been trying to find time to go out for the past few days. But Ryan’s been super busy and I’ve been working night shifts a lot, along with the day shifts; there’s a new party coming in for a tour of the towers and the grounds, and Mrs. S was going ballistic.

Although that doesn’t mean that we don’t see each other every day or steal some time to talk between jobs.

He’s just so sweet. Exactly like I imagined. Kind and caring. We haven’t had a kiss yet – I guess we’re waiting for the official date – but he’s kissed my cheek. He has run his finger down my cheek as well. Both of those things were nice and warm, typical of him.

Sometimes though, he looks at me with pity, which bugs me. But I guess, after my meltdown in the kitchen with Ashley, I can’t really blame him. I bet his pity will go away after a while. Everyone else’s will too.

For now, I’m kind of excited. It’s been a long time since I was on a date. I’m excited to get to know him, see him smile, have him touch me. Kiss me.

Besides, Tina, as always, was right. My parents would definitely have approved.

Right on time, Ryan pulls up at the curb and gets out of the car. I smile at him but then, my smile vanishes when I see a pained look on his face.

He approaches me and pulls me to the side, away from the entrance of the restaurant, where we can’t be overheard by the patrons going in and out.

“What’s up?” I ask, feeling apprehensive.

He grimaces. “I hate to do this but I’m going to have to take a rain check.”

“Oh.”

He rubs his hand up and down my arm. “I was already in my car, ready to drive over when I got called into work. So I thought I should tell you.”

Ryan’s distress is obvious, and it makes me feel a little better. He isn’t abandoning me like my first boyfriend. He has a genuine reason.

“It sucks. But I get it. I mean, we’ve been so busy with everything for the last few days, so.” I shrug.

Ryan gives me a penetrating look that makes me blush. “It sucks, yeah.”

“You could’ve called, you know.” I mock-punch his shoulder. “You didn’t have to come all the way here just to tell me that.”

Smiling, he does what he’s been doing often: he thumbs my cheek, softly and smoothly.

“I wanted to see you,” he says. “You look beautiful.”

Blushing even more, I say, “Thank you.”

Then I check him out with lowered lashes. He dressed up for the date, too. He has a black suit jacket on and a sage green shirt. “You look nice too.”