Good point.
I walk over and give him a hug, which he turns into a kiss that lasts long enough to leave me breathless. I’m smiling like a fool by the time he lets me go.
“You look happy.” His eyes narrow suspiciously. “What’s wrong?”
I sputter in laughter. “I’m not allowed to be happy?”
He flashes a grin. “Of course you are. It’s just that the last time we talked, you were threatening to punch Steve in the face for all his crazy rules.”
“I think I found a way to get around the rules.”
“Yeah? How?”
“That’s for me to know and for you to find out,” I say mysteriously, because I want everything to be worked out before I tell him the news. I’m not entirely sure Steve is going to buy into this, so I don’t want to get Reed’s hopes up if I fail. “Val and I are working on a secret project.”
“What kind?”
“I just told you—a secret one.”
Reed rests an elbow against the car hood. “Should I be worried?”
I run a hand down his chest to rest on the top of his belt. Somehow Reed manages to make a pair of black cargo pants and a blue sweater look as hot as if he was shirtless.
“You should always be worried,” I tease, giving his belt a tug. I’m tired of being stressed, scared, and unhappy all the time. I’m going to enjoy Reed and all my moments with him. Screw the rest of the world.
He allows his body to press into mine until we’re pancaked against the side of the car. His hand skims down my side until he reaches the top of my ass. My lips part, waiting for another kiss, the mingling of our breaths, the moment we shut out the entire world—
“Look at them,” someone says as they pass. “Perfect trashy couple.”
Reed’s head flies up. “Got a problem with me, Fleming? Come say it to my face.”
I see a short, dark-haired boy stiffen and then quickly walk away.
“Yeah, I thought so,” Reed mutters.
“Jerk,” I say angrily.
Reed takes my chin between his fingers. “Don’t worry about it, baby. Let them run their mouths. It can’t hurt us.”
He pinches me lightly before dropping a kiss on my lips. I’m tempted to linger, but if I do, I’ll be late. I push him away regretfully. “I’ve got to get back to the hotel. If I’m not there at four o’clock sharp, Steve might lock me in a dungeon.”
Reed snickers.
“Call me tonight?”
“’Course.” He leans down to give me one final kiss, and by the way his hand digs into my butt, I know it’s going to be one of those long, drugging ones. Oh gosh. I have to get out of his embrace before I turn into a puddle of mush.
“Okay. I’ll text you later.”
He wanders off to where his Rover is parked, and I wait until he’s driving away before calling Val. I put the phone on speaker as I pull out of the parking lot.
“Tell me the downside of this deal,” I say the moment she picks up. “What kinds of favors would Jordan ask of me? Like, I don’t want to tape any girl up to the side of the school because she talked to Jordan’s boyfriend.”
“I’ve been thinking about this since lunch,” Val answers.
“And?”
“And I think just because she asks you to do something doesn’t mean you have to do it. You owe her a favor, not a specific one.”
“Good point.” I press down on the gas, even though I hate driving fast. Well, I hate driving, period. But I especially hate driving fast. If I don’t hurry, though, I’m going to be late. “I like the way you’re thinking.”
“Let’s say she asks you to do something you’re not comfortable with. You just tell her to come back with something else.”
“Right. So I’m going to keep my word, if I give it, but it’s within the spirit of the agreement to exercise a veto over shitty acts.”
“Right,” she confirms. “So you gonna do it?”
“I think so.”
Jordan’s proposal does solve all my problems. Steve wants me to be involved in activities so I’ll be less interested in spending time with the Royals. I like dancing. The only downside is that I have to spend time with Jordan.
“This thing is only temporary until that other girl gets back,” I say. “So really, I’ll just be an alternate.”
“Do you want me to tell her yes?” Val asks.
“Is she there with you right now? Blink twice if you’re in danger,” I tease, pulling into the hotel’s parking garage.
Val laughs. “Nope, she’s at practice. Actually, you’ll appreciate this. Jordan scheduled all the dance team practices at the same time as the football team workouts.”