Page 55 of Shy Girls Can’t Date Celebrities (Shy Girls Sweet Romances #6)

Just like the night before I flew to Cherry Beach, I lied in my bed overnight, barely sleeping a wink.

Wyatt’s in my house.

Wyatt is back in our hometown.

Amidst the excitement, there was still loads of cringe. I stared at the shadowy posters on my walls, mortified that Wyatt has seen my extreme level of obsession over him.

I came downstairs for breakfast in jeans and a T-shirt, and Mom turned me back around. Despite my complaining about how unfair she was being, she maintained her argument. I’ve missed four days of school, and she’s not letting me miss a fifth.

It’s not like I can pretend to go to school and then skip out in regular clothes like at a public school.

I go to the elite Ashworth Academy, which comes with the quintessential private school uniform.

After changing into the layers of clothes, topping it off with the school blazer, I trudge back downstairs.

Seriously. Wyatt’s home. I should be able to skip one more day.

And however many more days he’s in town.

“That’s a cute look,” Wyatt says, looking me up and down.

“Shut up,” I hush, trying to hide my smile. I gesture at the pull-out couch. “How’d you sleep?”

“Pretty good,” he says, half-convincingly. “Needed to take a sleep aid. My mind was kinda spinning?”

I give him a hug. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just a little confused. Like, how long can I stay here? Is being here going to bring my memory back? And, I keep thinking about Devon’s random phone call.”

“Right, I’d almost forgotten about that. Will you be okay if he comes while I’m at school?”

“Umm, I guess?”

I stretch out breakfast as long as I can, but the twins are being fussy and distracting me from Wyatt. And like a gut punch, it’s time to take the school bus.

Ugh. I haven’t missed the bus.

I zombie my way from the bus into the school building. I don’t know how many times Kylie says my name until I finally register her presence.

“Huh?” I snap awake.

Kylie yanks me into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

I sink into her hug. “Me too.”

She whispers, “Where’s Wyatt?”

“At home,” I whisper back.

Kylie pulls out of the hug. “Your home? ”

“Yeah. Where else?”

“I dunno. He’s got money. Maybe he secretly bought a home in town and has it on the down-low.”

“No, there’s nothing secretive like that happening. It’s just a secret he’s back.”

Parker races up to us, panting. “Where is he?”

“ Shoosh !” Kylie and I whisper harshly.

Parker blinks at us. “What?”

Kylie whacks his arm. “Of course, he’s not here.”

“I dunno.” Parker shrugs. “Maybe he wanted to come here and kickstart his memory.”

“He remembers living here,” I reply. “It’s the becoming famous stuff that’s foggy.”

“Besides, he was barely even at this school before leaving for Talent Quest,” Kylie says.

Parker bounces in place. “We get to meet up with him, right?”

“I’m sure he’ll be cool with it,” I reply.

Excitement ripples through Kylie. “I don’t know how I’ll be able to sit through an entire day of school, waiting to meet him again.”

I sigh. “You and me both. It was agony coming to school this morning.”

Parker wriggles his brow. “We could play hooky.”

Kylie gestures between us. “You know who you’re talking to, right?”

“If I get caught skipping class, my parents will flip,” I say. “They’re already not happy about how many days I skipped last week.”

Kylie bats a hand. “I’ll share my notes and get you caught up.”

“I’m not worried about the homework. I’m trying to minimize the stress levels in my home.”

“Can we at least skip out during our lunch period?” Parker asks, his enthusiasm bursting .

“He told me he’d be catching up on sleep,” I reply. “I’ll text him before lunch and we can make a game plan.”

Parker grins and lifts his car keys. “I’m so ready to go whenever you say the word.”

Kylie presses down on Parker’s hand. “Cool your jets. We’ve gotta actually get through some classes first.”

I nod, thankful. “I need some calm to stop my mind spiraling with thoughts about Wyatt.”

My first two classes actually forced Wyatt out of my central focus.

My teachers were on my case about the classes I’ve missed and what textbook chapters I need to read by tomorrow.

I was so busy catching up with work, by my third class, I’d almost forgotten there’s a high-profiled star hanging out in my living room.

“ Psst .”

I turn behind me and find resident school gossip, Yvette Anderson, staring at me.

I jolt back and point at myself. “Me?”

“What was with that video?”

My stomach cramps. “What video?”

“You walking around with a celebrity.”

The people at the surrounding desks turn my way. “Uhh, uhh... I...”

“Hey, what the heck?” Yvette asks, leaning forward against her desk. “Like, everyone saw you in Cherry Beach with Wyatt Hayes. What was that about?”

I shrink away from her, weighed down by all the eyes on me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

“Yes, you do. How did you meet him?”

“He went to our school.”

“Not in, like, forever.”

I huff, knots tying over my spine. “That was last week. I’m back at school now.”

“So?”

“So, my fifteen minutes of fame are over.”

Yvette laughs to herself. “You got dumped that quick, huh?”

A fire grows in my stomach, but I bite down, ignoring it best I can. I’m not about to blurt to one of the biggest gossips in school that a teen heartthrob is currently chilling in my living room. I have to lean into the satisfaction that he’s mine, and someone like Yvette will never have him.

The satisfaction wanes when people continue to fidget in their seats and send glances my way. The back of my neck coats in sweat. The thought of being Ashworth Academy headline news has me sick to my stomach.

When the lingering looks and harsh whispers continue throughout my next two classes, I pull my phone from my pocket and text under the desk. “I gotta get out of this school.”

My knees bounce and my fingers twitch around the phone. Seconds feel like hours until I get a response.

Kylie texts back. “What’s wrong?”

“Gossip queens want to know why there's a video of me and Wyatt together in Cherry Beach.”

“Vultures!”

“I just can’t deal with hiding my relationship with him while he’s literally in town.”

“Meet me by our lockers after class.”

I quickly send her a thumbs up emoji and sneak my phone back into my pocket.

“Are you okay?” Kylie asks, wide-eyed as we meet in the hallway.

I pant my breaths, leaning against my locker, and shake my head.

Kylie frowns. “They were giving you the second-degree?”

I frown harder. “Third-degree.”

“Wanna get out of here? ”

“Yes, but there’s still two more classes after lunch.”

Kylie shrugs. “So? You’ve just had a huge week amongst Hollywood-types. You should be allowed an adjustment period.”

“There’s no way my parents will sign me out.”

“That’s why I texted Parker.” Kylie nods down the hallway, where her boyfriend approaches us. “He’ll drive us out of here.”

I give her a dubious look. “And what kind of adjustment period are you two going through?”

Parker reaches us and he pecks Kylie’s cheek as she responds with, “My best friend just had a week with Hollywood-types. It’s mental overload.”

The comment makes me puff a laugh. “And what about Parker?”

Kylie shrugs, throwing an arm around her boyfriend. “He has a car.”

Parker nods at me. “You wanna get out of here? Now’s the time to do it.”

I swallow the nausea. “What if we get caught?”

“We won’t if we take the south wing exit,” Parker replies.

Kylie motions for Parker to take the lead. “Shall we?”

I wince, looking between the two. “Can we not mention to Wyatt that I’m leaving because people were asking about my involvement with him? I don’t want him thinking I can’t handle it.”

Kylie frowns. “Are you sure?”

“I’d rather we just hang out and have some fun,” I reply. “I’ll tell him about school another time.”

Hesitancy creeps over Kylie’s face. “Okay, if you’re sure.”

I nod and let them lead me out of the school. “I’m sure.”

Kylie lets her smile break through and she whispers to her boyfriend. “I can’t believe we’re about to hang out with Wyatt Hayes.”

Parker nods, grinning. “I know.”

Somehow, the nausea subsides and I’m in Parker’s car, and in another flash, I’m unlocking my front door.

“Wyatt?” I call out, leaving the door open for the others to follow me in. “I got out of school early.”

I move into the living room as Wyatt stands from the couch.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Wyatt asks, pulling his arms around me.

I hug him back. “I brought some friends who couldn’t wait to say hello.”

“Oh my gosh,” Kylie says, shivering as she takes Wyatt in. “It’s really you.”

Wyatt waves, and then realization takes over his face. “Oh, Kylie, hey.”

Kylie giggles, waving back. “Hey.”

Wyatt turns his head between me and Kylie. “How come you came home early?”

“I told you,” I murmur. “We couldn’t wait.”

Kylie flashes a smile. “I’ve been waiting to meet you again since Josie got the call to fly to Cherry Beach.”

“Oh, that’s nice,” Wyatt replies. “Josie told me you’re a crazy-good baker now.”

Kylie blushes. “Oh, yeah, thanks.” She throws a thumb over her shoulder. “We could head over to the café where I work if you want to try something.”

Wyatt glances at me. “Could we?”

I nod. “If you like.”

Parker jingles his keys. “I’m happy to drive us over.”

Wyatt tilts his head. “Parker?”

Parker beams. “You remember me?”

“Umm, Jo-Josie said Kylie had a boyfriend.”

“Oh,” Parker falters. “Well, that’s me.”

Wyatt nods. “I’m pretty sure I remember you. ”

Parker grins. “Awesome.”

Wyatt folds his arms. “Yeah, we weren’t friends.”

Parker rocks his jaw. “At the time, no.”

Kylie braces herself through the awkwardness. “No reason we can’t all hang out now.”

“Yeah,” I say, glancing at Wyatt. “Right?”

“Right.” Wyatt unravels his arms. “But can we really go out if you left school early?”

“It’s okay for me and Josie,” Kylie says, stifling a laugh. “We’re the good girls who get away with murder.”