Page 40 of Tell No Lies

“Okay?”

I looked into his eyes and smiled. “I want to be yours. Just yours.”

Suddenly his smile was back, and it was enough to take away the sadness that had plagued me since Saturday night. Just one smile from him, and I felt whole again.

He leaned forward and suddenly his lips touched mine. He seemed apprehensive, so I brought my hands up around his neck, pulling him closer. He deepened the kiss, and every thought disappeared from my mind. This felt right, as if I was exactly where I belonged.

He pulled away and rested his forehead against mine. His smile reached his eyes for the first time all day. We stood like that, with our arms around each other, until someone behind us started clapping.

I jumped and turned around to see Mckayla grinning like crazy and slowing her applause. “This is the most precious thing I’ve ever seen, but class is about to end, so we need to get back.” She winked at me before turning around.

Giggles escaped me as Mike reached for my hand and led me to my class. When we got to the door, he stopped and gave my hand a squeeze.

“I’ll meet you after your last class and walk you out. Okay, girlfriend?”

Still giggling, I nodded and stood up on my tiptoes to plant one last kiss on his cheek. “Okay, boyfriend.”

Fifteen

I had a boyfriend. Over the course of a few class periods, I had gone from being frozen out by all of my friends, to taking advice from Gage, to being forgiven, to having a boyfriend.

Talk about drama.

Chemistry was usually fifty minutes of playing don’t make eye contact with Luke, but now I was playing that game with everyone in the class. A few minutes into the lecture, whispers spread and phones were vibrating every few seconds. I tried to tell myself that maybe a fight had broken out, or a celebrity had been sighted close by. Anything to convince myself that word hadn’t already spread about me and Mike.

My fears were confirmed when the last bell rang, and Luke made his way to my desk while I was putting my things away. “I just heard the news. I’m happy for you, Aubrey.”

Suddenly, I was confused. Why was he happy for me? Maybe this wasn’t about my new relationship status. “Thanks?”

“I know I let you down as a boyfriend, so I’m glad you have Mike. He’ll treat you how you deserve.” He smacked me once on the shoulder before leaving.

I sat there, stunned. That had almost been an apology for being the lamest human ever and dumping me while my world was crumbling around me. Almost.

I noticed people looking at me and smiling when I opened the classroom door and entered the hall. It was as if I entered the Twilight Zone. I was ready to make a run for it when I felt arms slide around my waist, pulling me against a hard body.

“Hey there, beautiful.” Mike’s breath tickled my neck.

I turned in his arms and smiled up at him. “People have been staring and smiling at me all through class. How do they already know?”

He grinned but shrugged his shoulders. “Mckayla probably alerted the troops, and they spread the word. Don’t worry about it. People are just excited for us.”

Sure, people I didn’t know were happy for me, but now I was just thinking about how Gage would feel about the news … or Carter, for that matter. Brandon would probably be happy about it, and he might even let me leave the house with Mike.

Once we got to the lot, Mike twisted me around and pressed my back against my car. He leaned forward with a shy smile and kissed me lightly once. My eyes fluttered closed when his lips pressed against mine again. After a heartbeat, he deepened the kiss, making my toes curl.

Stepping back, he looked down at me with his megawatt smile. “Since you don’t have dance today, do you want to come watch practice?”

I bit my lip to keep myself from responding too quickly. “Actually, I have to practice my solo. Competitions start soon, and I’m one of the three who may be showcased.”

His shoulders fell. “Really? All the other girlfriends come to watch us, though.”

Did he really expect me to forget about my practice to come watch his? “I bet those girls aren’t new on a nationally ranked team. I need to be able to hold my own with these girls.”

“You’re right. I’m just not used to having such a talented girlfriend.” He winked and turned toward his car. “I’ll see you later.”

I stood leaning against my car as I watched him leave. Who knew being in a relationship with him had extracurricular requirements?

Pushing the thought out of my mind, I got in and drove to the studio, counting out my routine. Once I had changed and found an empty room, I turned on my music and began warming up. I had been working on this solo back in Chicago, and it was one of the most difficult pieces I’d ever done.