Don't Kiss the Messenger (Edgelake High School, #1)(30)

He shook his head and told me he had an early morning class.

“Then it has to be Monday night,” I said and scrolled down my schedule looking for a time slot. “7:00?”

He blew out an annoyed sigh and then he nodded slowly. A frown set in on his face. I almost suggested that he drop the class, since he hardly seemed excited about it. But then doubt set in and I realized the problem wasn’t the class. I narrowed my eyes at him as he pulled headphones on and we walked separate ways.

What was his problem? Was he afraid of being seen too much outside of class with me? That people might start to talk?

I had to remind myself that I wasn’t the girl with the pretty face.





Chapter Eleven


CeCe


I sat on the couch and opened a binder when my phone buzzed.

Emmett: Want to meet at McClain’s on Monday?

I shook my head and texted him back.

Me: You mean McFlirt? No, we actually need to get work done.

He responded a second later.

Emmett: Has anyone ever told you, you should be a professor?

Me: I’m pretty sure that’s an insult, coming from you.

Emmett: Disguised as a compliment.

I rolled my eyes.

Me: Those are the worst!

Emmett: Where do you want to meet?

Me: Your place?

Emmett: Football Frat isn’t the best studying atmosphere.

Me: Let’s meet at The Music Room.

Before he could respond my phone was snatched out of my fingers by Tuba. I scrambled after her.

“Give it, Tuba. Don’t make me hurt you.”

She swatted her hand in my direction like I had all the intimidation of a housefly.

“Who were you texting?” she asked and looked down at the screen.

I winced and waited for it.

“Emmett Brady?!” she screamed. “You have his phone number?” She looked at me like I deserved to be knighted.

I reached for my phone again but Tuba pulled it away and scrolled up the screen.

“You’re meeting up with him?” she noted, raising her eyebrows.

I tried to pry the phone out of her hands. She had amazingly strong finger muscles. I had to dig my nails into her flesh to make her let go.

“Ow” She flinched and let go.

“It’s a study date,” I said. “Nothing says romance like outlining a discussion guide.”

“Tell him to come over here!” Tuba squealed.

“Why? So you can awkwardly stare at him the whole time? Forget it.”

“Where are you meeting?” she asked.

“The Music Room,” I said.

Tuba’s face fell. “Why are you taking him to your weird, hipster dive coffee shop?” she asked. “Emmett’s going to hate it.”

“They play classical music,” I informed her.

“Elevator jazz? It’s shit,” Tuba said.

“I don’t think Schubert and shit can be used in the same sentence,” I argued.

Tuba shrugged. “I stopped going there when it became home to the Edgelake Recreational Chess Tournament,” she stated.

“A couple of my friends from class were in that tournament,” I said. “They can get pretty heated.”

Tuba patted the top of my head affectionately. “CeCe, don’t go completely weird on me. If you feel like you’re going over to the dark side, I’ll save you and take you somewhere cool.”

I stared up at her and smiled. Weird is the new pretty, I wanted to say.





Chapter Twelve


Emmett


I sat out on my balcony and turned a shot glass in my hand, studying the amber liquid swirling around inside. Music streamed through my open bedroom window. I could hear the rumble of thunder in the distance. The wind picked up and shook the brittle leaves with a warning.

I started to text Bryn.

Come over? Get me out of my head.

I deleted the lines. I threw the shot of whiskey back and the hot liquid burned my throat like I had swallowed a lit match. My entire body felt warm.

I thought being alone would make tonight easier. But the loneliness was making me wither, like the leaves around me, clinging to hold on. I needed Bryn tonight. I started scrolling through the playlist she sent me and settled on “Twisted” by Frightened Rabbit. It was a fitting song for my mood.

I started typing again.

Your words are like crumbs you throw at my feet and I’m starving, wanting more of what you toss out. Message me.

I hit send.

She texted back.

?? That was sweet! Going to bed. See ya tomorrow? :) I stared at her reply and shook my head with disbelief. This girl was hot or cold with me. Deep or shallow. I never knew which side I was going to get.

I was about to head inside when I heard rustling below my balcony. I stood up and immediately felt the alcohol’s affect on my equilibrium. I leaned against the railing to steady myself and looked through the thick wall of branches.

I yelled down and whoever was standing by our front door stopped and backed up. I looked over the railing and saw long, dark hair. My brain snapped into realization.

I slapped a hand over my forehead. I was supposed to meet CeCe for a study date tonight.

“CeCe, I completely forgot,” I shouted down. I could barely see her through the leaves. I figured she was pissed.