Page 88 of Offside Attraction
He smirks, leaning a little closer, his green eyes glinting with mischief. “Fun, as in maybe breaking a few rules, getting a little wild. You know, something that involves more than just sitting at home brooding about life.”
I chuckle softly, surprising even myself. “Sounds more like your weekend than mine.”
“Maybe. But I bet you’d be good at it, Dakota.” His voice dips slightly, just enough to give the words an edge that feels a little too intentional. “You’ve got that quiet rebel, mysterious vibe. You’re just hiding it.”
“Am I?” I shoot back, raising an eyebrow. “And what makes you the expert on me?”
Zach shrugs, his smirk widening. “Call it a hunch. I’m pretty good at reading people.” He pauses, his gaze lingering just long enough to make my heart skip a beat. “Plus, I don’t think I’m wrong.”
“You’re awfully confident, aren’t you?” I say, shaking my head, though I can’t help the small grin that creeps onto my face.
“Always.” He grins back, stepping slightly closer, his shoulder brushing mine. “And if I’m wrong, maybe you could prove it. Let me in on what makes Dakota Miller tick.”
“Nice try,” I say, rolling my eyes but keeping my tone playful. “You’re not that charming.”
“Not yet,” he counters, his voice laced with amusement. “But I’ve been told I grow on people.”
“Like a fungus?” I quip, enjoying the banter more than I expected to.
“Ouch.” He places a hand over his chest in mock offense but laughs anyway. “I’ll take it. So… what do you say? You gonna make me work harder to figure you out?”
I smirk, shaking my head. “Guess you’ll have to find out the hard way, Zach.”
Zach leans closer, his arm braced casually against the locker beside me. He’s grinning, his dark green eyes gleaming with confidence.
For the first time since we started this conversation, I let my eyes take in Zach’s handsome features, really take them in. His sharp jawline, the way his dark blonde hair falls just slightly into his green eyes, the faint freckles across his nose that soften his otherwise confident, almost cocky demeanor. He’s undeniably good-looking, and he knows it. The lazy grin on his face seems permanently fixed, like he’s in on a joke the rest of us haven’t figured out yet.
“You know, staring is usually my move,” Zach teases, his grin widening as he catches me looking. His voice is smooth, teasing, and laced with just enough arrogance to make me want to roll my eyes—and maybe smile, too.
I scoff, trying to mask the warmth creeping up my neck. To say I’m taken off guard by Zach’s confidence and flirtations is an understatement. I’m the one who’s always been the player, the one who knows exactly what to say to get someone blushing or stumbling over their words. It’s weird being on the receiving end of it, and even weirder how good Zach is at it considering I’m older than him.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” I say, crossing my arms and leaning back against the lockers, trying to regain control of the moment.
“Oh, come on,” he says, his grin never wavering. “You were totally checking me out. Don’t worry, I get it. Hard to resist.”
“Right,” I deadpan, arching an eyebrow at him. “You caught me. It’s the overwhelming charm and… what is that? Bedhead chic?”
Zach laughs, the sound deep and genuine. “Hey, if it works, it works. And judging by the way you’re still standing here, I’d say it’s working.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I say, shaking my head, but I can’t stop the small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.
“And you like it,” he fires back, leaning closer, just enough to make the space between us feel a little too small. His green eyes hold mine, and for a moment, the playful teasing shifts into something heavier, something that feels a little too real.
I should say something, push him away with another sarcastic remark, but I don’t. Instead, I find myself holding his gaze, the air between us charged with something I can’t quite put into words.
“Careful, Zach,” I finally say, my voice quieter, almost daring. “You’re playing a dangerous game.”
He tilts his head, smirking. “I like danger. Makes life interesting.”
And just like that, the moment is gone, replaced by his easy grin and playful tone. I roll my eyes, but the truth is, I’m not sure who’s winning this game—or if I even want to stop playing.
“Tell me,” he says, his voice teasing but warm. “You ever thought about modeling? Those cheekbones could break the internet.”
I let out a low chuckle, pretending the comment doesn’t throw me off balance. “Modeling? Not really my thing. I’d probably die from all the selfies.”
Zach raises an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. “Not selfies. I’d be the photographer. Trust me, I’d find all your good angles.”
The flirtation is obvious now, and I know I should brush it off. But there’s something about the way his gaze lingers that makes me hesitate. Maybe it’s curiosity. Or maybe it’s the fact that I can feel someone watching us.