Page 11 of Tell No Lies

We both sat back and looked to where Mr. Cox was beginning class. I hoped this would be the first time he decided to actually teach. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone, and I wanted a few minutes to think about things.

No luck. Of course, the one time I wish I had a normal teacher, I’m in this class. I pulled out a notebook and flipped it open. Maybe if I pretended to be busy, Mike would take a hint. Yeah, right.

“What are you working on?”

A plan to escape.

“I’m just catching up. I didn’t get a chance to do any homework last night.” I continued to look down at my desk, avoiding his gaze. I grimaced at the approaching sound of his desk scraping against the tiled floor.

“What are you working on? I’ll help you.”

I snuck a peek out of the corner of my eye and saw a wide smile. Why did he have to be so nice?

I tapped my notes with my pencil. “Chemistry. We have a worksheet due. And I have to write a chapter summary for history.”

“You’re in AP, right? I’m no help there, but I can help you with the worksheet. I’m taking chem too.”

Nice and helpful. Maybe I was being a brat wanting to ignore him. I pulled out the worksheet and sat it between us. When I glanced up, he was watching me. His dark brown eyes shone when they met mine. His permanent smile was contagious. Maybe people thinking we were dating wasn’t the worst thing that could happen.

He was all business as he helped me with the worksheet. After a few minutes, Nick caught my eye and raised an eyebrow high, as if challenging me. My denial probably seemed even less convincing now. Narrowing my eyes at him for a second, I looked back at my homework, trying to ignore him.

☼ ☼ ☼

After second period, I walked out of the gym with Cassie. We were talking about the weekend and planning what to bring when Mike ran up to us.

“Hi, ladies. Cassie, do you mind if I steal Aubrey?”

Cassie rolled her eyes and smiled at me as she turned and headed toward her next class.

I watched her walking away, wishing she hadn’t left me. I told her what Nick had said in math, and she agreed with him. She even mentioned a bet she had going with the other girls as to how long he would take to ask me out. I was praying they were all wrong. Luke might be out of the picture, but the wound was fresh.

I switched my books to my other arm in a feeble attempt to create a barrier between us. Didn’t that say something in body language, like “Don’t come any closer”? I gave him a small smile and continued toward the English hall.

“So, I heard you got permission to come on the trip this weekend. That’s great.”

I caught his smile and grimaced. Why did I feel so hot and cold toward him? He was definitely handsome, a Polynesian god. And his perma-smile melted my heart, but he seemed too eager, as if he assumed I would immediately be on board with going out with him. Maybe I should be? My brain and heart were waging war inside my head, leaving me confused and annoyed.

“Yeah, it should be a fun trip. I’m excited to get to know more people.”

His smile dimmed, but he recovered quickly. “I’ll make sure I introduce you around.”

I nodded slightly. That wasn’t what I meant. “I think it’s time I branched out a little more, you know?” Hint, hint.

“Of course. You’ve been busy since you got here, but everyone knows who you are. I mean, Mike’s girls are always well-known.”

I immediately stopped walking and faced him. “What?”

Before he could respond, Gage appeared next to me. He brushed my arm with his and looked between me and Mike. “Um, what’s going on?”

Mike glared at him and turned, calling over his shoulder. “I’ll talk to you later, Bree.”

I released the breath I had been holding and looked up at Gage. “Perfect timing. Things just got weird.”

A smile broke across his face, and he laughed. He grabbed my arm and turned, directing me to our class. “Oh yeah? My Spidey senses were tingling, so I knew a damsel was in distress somewhere close.”

I made a face at him. “Funny. Mike just referred to me as ‘Mike’s girl,’ in third person.”

This set off a new series of chuckles. “That’s just wrong.” He shook his head as he continued to laugh at my expense.