The Boyfriend Deal(18)

“I’ve always had my eye on you, Hadley. I just knew better than to go after you.”

“Better you than Hunter,” I muttered. “That’s one mistake I’d love to take back.”

He laughed and kissed me again. “And I’d love to go back and never ask Alicia out. Yes, she had a purpose in my life, but I’m not sure it was worth it. She’s a little crazy, if you haven’t noticed.”

“As long as she’s satisfied with her prank and doesn’t come after me with a bat or something…”

“I’d never let her hurt you.” He laced our fingers together. “Please believe that, if nothing else.”

I nodded, my cheeks flushed, and released his hand to pick up my notebook. As I worked on my essay, I caught him watching me several times. It wasn’t a bad feeling to have, to be wanted like this, but I wasn’t used to it, and I wasn’t sure what exactly he wanted from me. If we were to make this relationship the real thing, would he expect more from me? More than I had given Hunter? I was a little worried I’d be all too willing to give in to him.

I had trouble concentrating, but I was happy with my progress, all things considered. It wasn’t every day I had the most popular boy in school in my bedroom. Setting my essay aside, I stood and stretched. The bedside clock said we’d been working for an hour already.

“Want to take a break?” I asked.

“What did you have in mind?”

From the gleam in his eyes, I knew what he had in mind. “I thought we could go downstairs and get a snack.”

Tyler stood and took my hand. Since he started leading me toward the stairs, I assumed he was in agreement. Either that or he was going to take me hostage and toss me in his truck. I didn’t think that second option was really all that viable since his things were still in my bedroom. When we got to the kitchen, I could smell dinner cooking, but my mom was nowhere in sight. That didn’t mean she wasn’t lurking nearby though.

I took out two sodas, handing one to Tyler, then pulled open the snack drawer.

“We have cookies, peanut butter crackers, honey buns, and chocolate cupcakes.” I looked at him expectantly, and he reached into the drawer and pulled out a package of crackers. Deciding I wanted the same, I grabbed another package then shut the drawer.

“Are we eating down here so your mom can see I’m not molesting you?”

I choked on my swallow of soda, and he thumped me on the back.

“I’m not allowed to eat in my room. Mom complains when I leave crumbs upstairs.”

I sat next to Tyler while we devoured our snack. I was getting a little too used to him being around. When we broke up, it was really going to suck. I’d gotten used to being alone and then he came barging into my life with this ridiculous deal. And me being the idiot I was, I’d agreed to it.

“Why don’t you have a pet?” he asked out of the blue.

“A pet?”

He shrugged. “You seem like a cat person, but I haven’t seen any food dishes or anything around. There’s no dog in the backyard yapping to be let in.”

“Mom always said if I ever got a pet it would have to be a gift because she refused to purchase an animal, even from the shelter. I told her we’d be giving a home to a cat or dog that might otherwise die, but she hasn’t budged on it. I think she just really doesn’t want me to have one, and since no one has ever given me a pet, it hasn’t been an issue.”

“We had a dog when I was growing up, but he died this past spring. He was old though, and he’d had a good life.”

“I’m sorry, Tyler.” I placed my hand on his. “You must miss him.”

He nodded. “Mom offered to get me another dog, but I’m going to college next fall and she’d be stuck taking care of it. Didn’t really seem fair.”

“You have a good point. Maybe it’s a good thing no one ever gave me a pet.”

“Have you thought about what next fall is going to bring? Are you staying in a dorm, or would you consider renting an apartment with someone?”

I shrugged. “I don’t really know anyone going to the schools I applied to, not anyone I would consider rooming with anyway. And how would I pay rent? I mean, I guess I could get a part-time job while I’m taking classes, but wouldn’t it be better to stay in a dorm?”

“What if you had a boyfriend attending the same school?”

“But I don’t.”

His thumb stroked the underside of my wrist. “I printed off the applications for UT Austin and UT Knoxville last night. I’m filling them out this weekend and getting them turned in by Monday morning. Mom agreed to express mail them.”