Page 4

quinn

L ater that evening, I drive home after dropping JT off at his house. It’s less than ten minutes from mine so giving him a ride is no trouble at all, despite his half-hearted protests while he tried, and failed, to get his parents to answer his many calls for a lift.

He’s so adorable. Honestly, the whole afternoon with him was just so much more enjoyable than I was expecting. JT doesn’t think he’s smart, but he had some great input into our project and his idea to run our own experiment is the kind of thing that will push our grade right to the top.

I’m also not complaining that he’s a dead set piece of eye candy with a body to murder for. I like the fact he doesn’t seem to be aware of how hot he is, just how sexy and engaging. He’s nothing like I expected based on his loud, extroverted cousin and the group of friends he hangs with. He’s a little shy even, takes a bit of time to coax out of his shell.

I’m almost certain he’s straight but I’m also acutely aware of the times his cheeks stained pink when we touched. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like that too. I tested him a couple of times, holding onto his coffee cup a little longer than necessary, bumping our knees together under the desk and lingering. He didn’t move away though so there was that.

Still, cute as he is, I’m not wasting my time pursuing a straight guy. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt and the lifelong scars to prove it.

Mum has dinner almost ready by the time I pull up at the house. I also know exactly what to expect from her as I wander into the living room and dump my keys. She’s busy in the kitchen and I watch as she finishes off the tikka masala she’s cooking.

“He seems nice,” she hums, back to me as she stirs a pot.

“He is nice,” I agree. She turns and leans back against the cabinet, eyeing me speculatively.

“You like him,” she says, making a very big leap from science project buddy to something else rather quickly.

I just shrug, no point denying it really. “He’s straight.”

“That’s what they all say,” she singsongs before turning back to the stove. I snort a laugh because that’s something Mum always says. She just can’t imagine any boy not falling madly head over heels for her son. I love that I have her in my corner.

I try not to think about JT as I finish off the dishes after dinner, and I try not to think about him as I set off back upstairs to finish my homework for my other classes. But all I can think about is the extra chair under my desk that JT sat on, and he is never far from my thoughts.

And later that night after I sink into bed, I try really hard not to think about JT as I try to relieve the tension that has had me ready to perk up at the blow of the wind all afternoon. I try so hard, but I can’t help it if it’s his face I see when I touch myself, his sweet smile and that ridiculously peachy ass that stay in my head for the rest of the night.

***

Jace is waiting in the student carpark when I pull into a vacant space the next morning. He’s been doing this a lot recently, more specifically since my breakup with Devon, but I’m trying not to read too much into it. Jace and I have been friends for years and he’s always been an affectionate and generous guy.

He's holding two takeaway coffees in his hands, and I can’t stop the smile when he holds one out to me.

“For you,” he says.

“You don’t have to bring me coffee, Jace,” I say, taking it anyway.

“But I want to,” he pouts, sticking out his bottom lip and making me laugh. Jace is really very pretty with his long, copper coloured hair and unusual hazel eyes. Plenty of guys are into him but he’s almost too pretty for me. My tastes run a little bit wilder and more overtly masculine. Once again, JT’s face pops into my head unbidden.

“How much do I owe you this week for all the coffees?” I ask, knowing he won’t take a cent from me. I try to make it up to him by getting something extra for him from the cafeteria at lunchtime, but I’ve started to worry he’s reading more into the gesture than intended. Benson even warned me about it the other day and if he’s noticed I know I need to cool things between us.

“Hit me with one of those smouldering smiles and we’ll call it even,” Jace replies, falling into step with me and knocking his arm against mine. Jace has no concept of personal space but it’s not just me he’s like that with so I don’t mind when he oversteps. He’s even more handsy with Benson. Eddie generally won’t put up with it though. The man sure likes his personal space.

“Well cheers,” I say, taking another long sip.

“How was your little science date last night?” Jace asks, eyeing me speculatively as we walk towards Specialist Maths.

“Fine.”

“Yeah? Does the basketball jock actually have two brain cells to rub together?” he scoffs.

“Hey, hey. No need for that,” I chide, aware there may be some jealousy in play here. Jace has caught me looking at JT a couple of times now and has made more than a few teasing comments already.

“What, you’re telling me the new boy is not just cute but also smart?” he asks, watching me for my response.

“People can be both you know,” I say, trying to keep my tone light. I’m not sure what to say here. I want to defend JT, but I also want to keep things easy with Jace.

“Case in point right here,” Jace laughs, motioning down his body.

“There you go,” I grin, neither confirming nor denying his statement.

“You could at least agree with me.” I think his eyeroll is meant to disguise a hint of hurt.

“I don’t think you need me to tell you anything you don’t already know, Jace,” I say instead.

“Which is that I’m hot and smart?”

“You never quit, do you?”

“It’s one of my best character traits.”

“Mmm,” I hum. “You say best, others might say annoying.”

“You say the meanest things to me, Quinn Dayton,” Jace gasps. “When all I do is buy you coffees and be nice to you.” He clutches a hand to his chest, swiping at imaginary tears.

“That’s what friends are for, right? Keeping our feet on the ground.”

“Why when all I want to do is fly?”

“You and Eddie do enough of that on the weekends already,” I chide as I push through the door to the maths building, Jace at my side.

“Speaking of, you in for Friday night? We’re meeting up at Eddie’s and then hitting the town.” He shakes his hips at me, and I pretend to sigh but I know I’ll be going with them anyway. It’s what we do, hang out on the weekends together. Have been doing since we started at Evergreen in our first year of high school. It also enters my thoughts that JT plays basketball on Friday nights so he’s out of the equation. Not that he was ever in the equation I remind myself as I follow Jace into maths class.

It's another warm day and I find myself shedding my blazer and rolling up my sleeves as lunchtime approaches. I pick up a salad roll from the cafeteria and head straight outside into the sunshine.

My gaze snags on the boys playing on the outdoor basketball court — a place that has never caught my attention before. I scan the faces until I land on JT. His shirt is half untucked, sleeves rolled up and he looks adorably scruffy as he ducks and weaves the ball down the court, Trey hot on his tail. He gets around the tall defenders with ease and makes a simple layup which he makes sure his cousin knows all about. Considering how shy he is with me the guy is pure swag on court.

I’ve never given sports much notice before, but I can see the pure enjoyment on JT’s face as his cousin smack talks him and the two tussle with each other. I am also conscious of the large grouping of girls watching the game with similar interest. Nor do I fail to note the enthusiastic cheers when either of the Sterling boys score or do anything mildly impressive.

I am about to walk away and find a quieter place for lunch when JT looks up. His gaze snags on me and he mistimes his next step. Trey immediately takes advantage of his cousin’s faltering attention, and the ball is gone from his grasp in an instant. I bite my lip to stop from smiling as JT huffs out a sigh before flashing me a wry grin. Yep, I did that. I caused him to mess up his game and I don’t know how I feel about that. Only that I find myself moving to a shady spot nearby in viewing distance of the game and taking a seat on the grass.

Jace and Eddie find me a minute later, throwing their bags on the ground before sitting beside me, Jace knocking me with his elbow.

“Why, pray tell, are we sitting right beside the basketball court?” Jace asks, knowing eyes glancing between me and where JT has picked up his game again on court.

“I thought this was a nice tree,” I comment.

“Sure,” Jace mumbles, stretching out beside me. He immediately grabs for my salad roll, taking an obnoxiously large bite before batting his lashes at me. “Thanks, baby.”

“Give that here,” I grumble, swiping it back from him. I feel eyes on me, and I glance over to the court. Even from this distance I can see the v between JT’s eyes as he looks between me and where Jace sits admittedly quite close. Hmm, is my little basketballer concerned about my friendship with Jace?

I don’t see why he would be. JT probably doesn’t even know I’m into guys and there is definitely no reason he would know Jace is. There’s no reason for him to be jealous but I can’t think why else he would have looked at us like that.

Jace leans his head on my shoulder, and I don’t even stop him as he gives me his puppy dog eyes and asks for another bite of my roll. I steal another glance at the court, and sure enough, JT is definitely frowning in my direction—right before he barely dodges the ball flying straight for his face. Yeah, I didn’t imagine that reaction.

I feel so pleased that I give Jace the rest of my salad roll and don’t even stop him when he leans his elbow on me, using me as a resting pole. Hey, if it makes a certain sweet little basketballer feel a pang of what I sincerely hope is jealousy, well, I don’t mind that one bit at all.