Rebel(13)

“No, I’m serious, Paul. A cruise, a real live luxury cruise. All paid for. I’ve already got the tickets. Just pack and meet me down at the pier tomorrow at eight. Yeah, PM. Everything’s covered.” Her voice is excited, but who’s she talking to? Paul? Friend? Boyfriend? Also, it’s hilarious that she grabbed the tickets. It’s difficult not to laugh out loud. She’s got more balls than I’ve given her credit for. Love it.

“Alright. Awesome.” Something comes into her voice, like a really sexy promise. “You totally don’t want to miss out on this trip. I think I’m ready.” She waits, listening. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I mean, and you don’t want to miss out on that, do you? I promise I’ll make up for how I’ve been acting the past couple weeks.”

I probably wouldn’t have a clue what she was talking about if we hadn’t had that episode at the club. I have a really good idea what’s caused her trouble with Paul and it’s good to know I’m not the only one hung up on that night. Fuck that noise. I gotta find out who this Paul guy is and put him off this shit. Forget finding some random girl to fuck Angie out of my system. Now it’s a competition, and I don’t lose.

I get distracted, and suddenly I’m face to face with her as she comes out her door. Shit. “Hey.”

Her tone is colder than a goddamn snowman. “What the hell are you doing up here?” She glances down the stairs, probably to make sure no one else hears. “I’m not going to fuck you, Gavin. Not now, not ever.”

“What? You’re probably a shitty lay anyway. I’d just be doing you a favor.” I don’t even mean to insult her, but she gets this look and crap comes out my mouth before I can stop it. Pisses me off too, because suave is what I do best.

Fucking hell, I never imagined she could look that angry. She blanches and her eyes turn into slits. I’m half expecting to see smoke coming out of those cute little ears. She lifts her finger and pushes it right into my chest. “You’re a fucking asshole.” It sounds so sexy when she says it. “I’m going to do my best to tolerate you, since it sounds like our parents are getting hitched, but I swear, if you don’t stop following me around, I’ll get a freaking restraining order, regardless of what our parents think. Clear?”

I back off. We both know she wants me, but I’m not stupid enough to push again tonight. “Clear as crystal. I’m sorry.”

“What?” She actually looks confused for a second.

“I said I’m sorry. I was out of line.” See? I can do polite.

Confusion turns to suspicion. “Since when do you apologize?”

“It happens. Don’t get too used to it.” Why does everyone assume the worst of me?

She sighs. “Alright. Fine. Thanks. Can we go back downstairs now?”

“Sure.” I let her go first, if only so I can watch her ass swing on the way down. “So who’s Paul?”

She stops, but doesn’t turn. “Seriously? You’re listening in on my phone calls?”

“I can’t help it if you’re a screamer. Sorry. Didn’t know you were on the super-secret red phone to the president.” Okay, so maybe I’m a bit of an asshole. But she loves me, she just doesn’t know it yet.

She starts to walk again. “For your information, he’s my boyfriend.”

For now. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. So there’s another reason for you to keep your hands off me.” There’s acid dripping from that voice.

“So... where was Paul when my hands were all over you?”

“I told you that was a mistake.”

“Alright, alright.” Sighing, I back off. “So what’s this guy like? Big and buff? Sweeps you off your feet? Makes you feel like a princess?”

She laughs. “What? Jealous? Yeah, he’s good looking. He wants me for me. Not just because I, in a serious lapse of judgement, threw myself into his arms at some scuzzy club.”

“Sounds lame.” We’re back in the living room, but still no sign of our parents. I don’t even want to know. “How’d you meet him?”

Angie’s pale skin flushes. “Actually, it was at a scuzzy club.” She gives me a pointed don’t-you-dare-judge look. “But he stuck out from the crowd. Tall, sexy. Gorgeous green eyes. He’s got a scar down his face, but it only adds to the look, you know. Makes him seem a little dangerous.”

Scar down his face? Paul? Shit. “Paul Cartman?”

Her jaw drops as she stares at me in surprise. “Are you following me around or something? Should I be getting a restraining order?”