It would be so simple to fall right into the easy charm that he’s so obviously practiced over the years. Even with the memories of how he treated me in high school, he’s easy to be around. I could just write the past all off as us having been kids, but I’m not stupid enough to think he’s changed much. He’s still just as smarmy. Phases of the self don’t matter much to people who peaked in high school, and Wayne? At his core, he hasn’t changed one bit.
“I had a great time last night.” He places a hand on my shoulder, warm and solid and familiar, but I shrug it off instantly. “How about we get some drinks tonight and do it again?”
Good god… is he being serious?
I cringe and let out an awkward laugh before I step back to put some space between us. It was fun, sure, but that’s all it was. It certainly wasn’t fun enough to warrant a repeat performance when something like that could put my job at risk.
My relationship with Everett and Jenny is more important to me than a fling withWayneever could be. I may have been easy last night, but that’s because Iwantedto be. I’m not interested in being something disposable, and I’m not looking for something casual right now. If I bother seeing someone morethan once, I want them to be someone I can really see a future with.
Wayne isn’t that.
“Uh, yeah, thanks for the offer?” I say, shaking my head and scratching the nape of my neck awkwardly. “I’m good, though.”
I don’t bother explaining myself further, and it’s a little pathetic to see the genuine shock cross Wayne’s features. His cocky certainty falters as his brows raise in surprise. I half expect him to spit out a half-assed insult, maybe remind me of how much of an ugly duckling I was in high school, but I can’t help laughing at what he actually says.
“Wait, are you serious?”
He looks like he can’t even fathom the idea of being turned down, blinking at me in shock as his full lips drop open. My laugh isn’t cruel, more disbelieving that this is even happening.
God, if my high school self could see me now.
“Look, there’s plenty of desperate women at the bars if you’re looking for another one-night stand,” I reply, patting him on the shoulder in consolation. “I was just looking to scratch an itch last night. Don’t get me wrong…it was fun. I just don’t want to do it again, Wayne. Have a good day, all right?”
I turn on my heel before he has a chance to respond. I didn’t want to see him in the first place, and this conversation has gone on longer than I wanted it to.
I have work to do.
Wayne is just a distraction that I don’t need.
WAYNE
Taking a shower and changing into clean clothes doesn’t help my mood. I’m still hungover, still annoyed with my dad and Jenny, and now the biggest nerd I’ve ever known in my life turned me down.
So what if she ditched the glasses and braces and has a perfect ass now? She’s still not on my level.
I’m Wayne fucking Riggs, and I get whatever I want!
I repeat that thought to myself as I hunch over the small metal desk in the corner of my old bedroom and wait for my laptop to boot up. The room is pretty much the same as it was in high school: Dark blue walls and gray sheets, my old clothes still hung up in the closet. Movie posters and pictures with friends are tacked up on the walls, trophies and knicknacks lining the shelf on the other wall. I don’t remember half of the people in the photos or what half of the awards were for, but I was popular. Most of these people weren’t important. They just came along with the status of being star runningback on the school team.
I tap in my password and connect to the Wi-Fi, ignoring the winding memories that mix with racing thoughts of why Katie would reject me. She must be crazy. I’m a fucking catch.
My scowl doesn’t lighten as I pull up my email.
My inbox is empty aside from a single message from my old boss with the subjectSeverance Information. If I open that now, I’ll put my fist through my screen, so I forcibly close out of the tab. All of the queries I sent out on networking apps sit unanswered, and my frustration mounts rapidly.
I toss my phone carelessly toward my bed, ignoring the clatter when it bounces off and falls to the floor.
I pace back and forth over the floor of my room, my thoughts going back to Katie as I shove my hands through my hair in frustration.
She was a fuckingnobodyin school. What, am I supposed to fall over myself to get her attention now that she’s hot? Put her in a room of people who matter and they’d still flock to me. All she’s got is brains and a hot body, but you don’t get anywhere in this world without charisma and people skills. I have those in spades.
She’s probably just worried she’ll fall in love with me.
A sharp knock sounds at my door, and it’s unexpected enough to make me snap.
“Fuckingwhat?” I bite out as I whirl on my heel.
Jenny stands in the open doorway, looking utterly unimpressed. She rakes her blistering gaze over me, one brow arched in disdain.
