And I’m a fool for ever wishing for it.
Ten
Hudson
Thursday afternoon rolls around, and my insides are twisted into knots. I’ve thought about canceling on Ella more times than I can count, but I figured I’d just get guilt-tripped into rescheduling anyway.
Maybe if I go tonight, get it over with, and admit I don’t feel a spark, everyone will drop it.
Fingers crossed.
I haven’t even told Cullen about the date, or the little pharmacy Ella keeps in her purse. After the whole drugging accusation, it’d just pour gas on an already simmering fire.
But Cull isn’t stupid and knows something’s up. My mood’s been garbage all week, and all my frustration’s been aimed at him. He’s called me out on it, too, but I just blamed it on midterms. Not a total lie. If I ace my exams, I’ve got Valedictorian locked in.
Maybe if I told him about the random texts I’ve been getting, it would redirect his suspicions of why I’ve been a moody bastard.
I’m packing up my bookbag at my locker when someone grabs my ribs from behind. The zing of electricity and fresh scent of evergreen automatically lets me know it’s Cullen, but it doesn’t stop my anxious ass from jumping two feet in the air.
He’s laughing when he steps in front of me, but I’m so on edge with everything that I pop off at him. “What the hell, dude? That was fucking unnecessary.”
He holds his hands up like I’m about to shoot. “Chill, man. What crawled up your ass and died?” He leans againstthe locker beside mine, arms crossed over his chest, and brows drawn tight.
“Just stressed about midterms. I already told you that yesterday,” I snap.
“I call bullshit, Hud. You knew the material before the teachers did, and now they’re over. What’s really going on?”
“Nothing.” I slam my locker and storm down the hallway, trying to get outside before I snap again. I just make it out the door when Cull grabs me by the arm and spins me around.
“Lay off me, Cullen,” I growl, yanking my arm away.
“What the hell is going on with you?”
I open my mouth to speak, but someone calls my name. Ella runs over and wedges herself between Cullen and me, forcing him to drop his hold on my arm.
“Sorry, Cullen,” she giggles over her shoulder, then dismisses him by looking at me.
“I’m so excited for our date tonight,” she beams, her voice a little too chipper. “I know this was kind of out of the blue, but we’ll have a great time.”
Shit. Guess that cat is out of the bag.
I glance over her shoulder to catch Cullen’s reaction. His face is passive, but there’s tension in his shoulders and the muscle along his jaw feathers. His eyes are hard as he walks around us and heads to his truck.
The silent anger hits harder than any punch would.
Ella places her hands on my chest to pull my attention back to her, but I catch her staring at Cullen's back as he walks away, a tiny smirk playing on her lips. Her eyes drift back to me, excited energy wafting off of her. “What time should I be ready for you to pick me up?”
There’s an uncomfortable static where Ella’s hands rest on my chest. It’s nothing like the electricity Cullen pulls from me. Her touch feels wrong, and I’m trying not to be a dick andshove her off. Instead, I take a generous step back and kneel to tie my shoe, even though the laces are already knotted tight.
“How about six? I was thinking Melvin’s and mini golf.”
I’ve put some thought into our “date” and picked something quick that doesn’t require us to be in each other’s space the whole time. I nixed a movie right away, too much opportunity and expectation to be close or hold hands. So were any restaurants that would require longer than half an hour to eat. Melvin’s is somewhere between fast food and casual dining, and mini golf, if the courses aren’t packed, should take an hour. Tops.
“Oh, I was hoping we could go to a movie.”
I figured she might, so I already came up with a lie. “Sorry. I’ve had a headache all day, and I think the theater speakers would turn it into a full-blown migraine.”
Her nostrils flare before she smiles wide, stepping forward and putting her hands on my chest again.What’s with all the touchy-feely today?It’s making my skin crawl.
