“Then what’s the big deal? If you two aren’t going out, why do you care so much?”
Troy was nothing if not nosey. “Just because we’re not going out, doesn’t mean I don’t want to.”
“Gross,” Troy grumbled. “With him? He’s a walking STD. The dude has slept with half of campus. I wouldn’t touch him with a ten foot pole.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up defensively. “That’s good to know. I’ll be sure to let him know you’re not interested in a relationship with him.”
Troy let out a bark of laughter. “He’ll be relieved, I promise you. And not because of me. Any sane person at Wharing would be happy to have a relationship with me.” His cocky grin said he actually believed that. “But your boy Turner isn’t interested in a relationship, Carmichael. Not with me. Not with you. Not with anybody.”
“You don’t even know him.”
“I don’t have to. I know guys. And I know his type.”
“You’re telling me you’re not the same type? Football stud? Jock extraordinaire? Come on, give me a break.”
“Yikes, Carmichael. Is that all you think of me?”
I shifted in my seat so I could watch his reaction. “Are you telling me you don’t have a new girl every night? Or at least every football game?”
He leaned toward me and I inhaled peppermint, Old Spice, and now the leather from his jacket. He smelled too good not to have girls hanging off him all the flippin’ time.
But he met my gaze for just an instant and I couldn’t help but see the sincerity in his expression. “I respect women, Cass. I don’t need a new girl every night. I just need the right girl to stay with me every night.”
My stomach flipped at his words and the way he looked at me when he said “right girl.” I managed a shaky reply. “That’s sweet of you.”
“Isn’t that what you want, too?” he pressed. “I don’t take you as the one night stand kind of girl.”
I shrugged and tore my eyes away from him and his stupid, sensitive face. “I’ve had a really bad year,” I confessed. “I just want one night. One night to forget everything. One night to get over everything.”
The warmth of his hand surprised me when it slid over my shoulder, landing on the back of my neck. He held me there, comforting, calming and sending tingles all over my body. “I know things kind of suck right now, but you’re worth so much than what Jake Turner can give you. And besides, he’s an idiot. If you’ve known him your whole life and he hasn’t noticed you yet, he’s dumber than I thought he was.”
Part of me wanted to be outraged on Jake’s behalf. But the other part, the bigger part, was flattered he thought so highly of me.
I liked that he stuck up for me. Ever since my parents split, I hadn’t felt like anybody had been on my side. All my parents cared about were themselves. I knew they had to do what was right for them, but there was nobody that even wanted to listen to what I thought.
Except Troy.
“Why are you being nice to me?” I asked in a soft voice that I could trust not to crack.
His cocky grin reappeared and he winked at me. “I’m always nice to you, Carmichael. You just never notice.”
My cheeks heated with embarrassment and I realized that was true. I had been irritated with him all semester, but not because he had been rude or mean. He was overly friendly. Always talking to me when I wanted to be lost in my own head. Always trying to get my attention when I was supposed to be paying attention to the professor.
“Sorry I’ve been such a bitch to you.”
His grin widened. “Hey, you haven’t been a bitch.” I gave him a look. “At least not every day. You always let me borrow a pencil.”
I laughed because that was true. “You’re right. I’ve actually beenreallynice to you.”
His warm chuckle filled the front seat and my heart picked up speed. That was a sound I could very much get used to. His hand slid from the base of my neck to my shoulder and then down my arm to my hand before he pulled away. “But it’s like what Coach always says, you can always try harder.”
“Smooth, Troy. Very smooth.”
He laughed some more. “I’m just warming up, Cass. Get ready to be impressed.” Before I could say another word, he made a sharp right that had me gripping the door handle. “Sorry!” he told the car. “Almost missed my turn.”
“Where are we going?” He’d turned off the main highway and onto a gravel road that didn’t seem to lead to anywhere. Nerves rioted inside of me and this was when I wondered if Troy Cameron was not charming and likable after all, but an ax murderer with the perfect cover.
“We’re hungry, remember? I know a good place just a little out of the way where we can grab some grub before the show.”
