I grasp the rail on the balcony hard, using it to rein in the growing anger I have no right to feel, but it's there all the same.
"Laney is taken,” Fish tells him, attempting to make him back off.
"Since when? Donovan might like her, but the feelings are clearly not mutual. Otherwise, they'd already be something, and since they're not…" He excitedly runs his hands together and turns on his heel to leave when Fisher catches his collar and pulls him back. "What the hell, man?"
He clears his throat, and his eyes nervously flick between Cooper's and mine as he waits to see if I'll jump in. When I don't, he says, "I said she's already taken. That's London's girl."
Now it's Cooper, whose eyes are as big as saucers, moving between me and Fisher's. "That's a joke, right?" He crosses his arms, waiting for a confirmation that won't come. I get why he thinks it's a joke. From the outside looking in, I'm with Riley, not Laney. Riley may not have the fancy title she wants, but she's nextto me in the cafeteria, walking with me in the hallways, and hanging around whenever we're at the same events—not Laney. "If that's true, prove it."
I raise a brow. "Prove it," I repeat as I watch her walk toward the keg with Sydney.
"Yeah, pick a lane, Hale, because you don't get two girls," Cooper presses. His tone might be light, but he doesn't want to follow Fisher's advice.
Laney is a sophomore like him, and in our small town, dating options are limited. Most people pair up early, and dating someone's ex gets messy.
Even though Laney has been here a few years, she's still considered an outsider. Sydney Downs knows everyone and is picky about her inner circle, mainly because the Downs family has money, which attracts people with ulterior motives. Laney was clueless about who the Downs were. Sydney's friendship could've given Laney access to any social group, but she's stayed under the radar.
"Let it go, Coop. That t-shirt she's wearing…" Fish's eyes swing to mine as he leans on the balcony, watching the girls, and I see it. I know, without words, that he sees what Cooper sees, what every guy will undoubtedly notice—she looks good…too good not to take a shot. Fish gives me a head start. "That shirt is London's. She might not be interested in Noah Donovan, but I'm not sure the same can be said for London. A girl doesn't show up wearing a man's shirt if she's not trying to get his attention."
When we first met, I thought Laney needed saving. It was just her and her mom, like it was just me and my dad. She was new in town and didn't know anyone, and who doesn't want a friend? But I quickly realized Laney Hart never needed rescuing; she stays on the sidelines because she prefers it there. The first half of her life was spent picking up and moving around the country, following her mom wherever her work led. Making friends was pointless. She didn't get to keep them.
Shit. My eyes dart back to Laney, who's no longer with Sydneybut Noah, and I rub my thumb along my bottom lip as Fisher's words and my thoughts collide.She didn't get to keep them.That's why she shot me down. I thought it was because she wasn't into me, that she had moved on after a summer apart, but Fish is right. He has to be. Why would she wear my shirt tonight if not to get my attention?
"Well, if that's the case, make your move, golden boy. If she's yours...prove it."
"You think I won't?" I say, keeping my eyes trained on her and Noah beside the keg, watching for any sign I'm reading this wrong, anything that says don't do it, not because you don't want to but because she's happy—happy with someone else.
"I got a Benjamin that says you won't." Cooper pulls his wallet out.
"Is that a bet?" Fish asks.
I walk over and grab his shoulder. "I don't want your money, Coop, but I'll take your bet." I squeeze his shoulder and head downstairs with a renewed pep in my step. I'm not betting on her. I'm betting on me. I'm making a play. You play to win. You might lose, but dammit, you play. I can't predict how she'll react. It doesn't matter if the odds are in my favor. I'm going to do it anyway. She means too much not to. She's important, and I'm done watching her from the sidelines. Laney made a move, showing up in my shirt. The proverbial ball is in my court. It's time to play. Noah Donovan doesn't get to take my girl.
"I'mglad you came tonight. I've been wanting to take you out on a date," I hear Noah say to Laney as I follow a few feet behind them, sticking to the shadows as they make their way down to the boat dock where Sydney is hanging out with her boyfriend, Justin, and a few other random party goers.
They had already started walking toward the boat dock when I got downstairs. Noah Donovan has been a thorn in my side forthe past year. There is nothing notable about Willow Creek. It's a small town that tourists accidentally happen upon on their way to the more desirable Lake Texoma towns, but his family sure has taken an interest in it.
Noah's father won the mayoral election by a landslide, and it was no surprise to anyone, seeing as how his family is loaded, and the town isn't. Mayor Donovan offered a lot of promises on his ticket, the main one being jobs. I wondered why a man with his fortune would be interested in a Podunk town off the beaten path until three new stores opened this past year: Donovan Hardware, Donovan General Store, and Donovan Flowers. The mayor is slowly buying the town, and I have no doubt he plans on making it a tourist destination with his name stamped all over it. We don't get to choose our family, and I don't dislike the guy because I think his dad has ulterior motives. I dislike him because he's all too happy to ride his coattails. He's not above using his influence to gain Laney's attention, and I don't like it. I didn't think Laney would either. She's not the type to give a shit about money and status. However, I haven't interrupted whatever this is to talk to her, because maybe I'm missing something, and I need to know. I need to know if part of her wants him.
"Yeah, I needed to get out—" catches on the wind before she trips over the transition between the ramp and the shore.
It hasn't gone unnoticed that things have been off with her the past few months. I convinced myself it was all in my head, that the unease crawling up my spine whenever she entered a room was just my perception shifting. Somewhere along the line, she became more than just the girl next door, more than just a friend, and because of that, I stopped trusting my own judgment when it came to her. But hearing those words confirms it wasn't just me.
"Sorry, the dock grabbed my foot," she jokes as Noah stabilizes her with his free arm.
"It's not a problem. I like it when you touch me," he lays it on thick, and I shake my head.
I don't want to hear this. The last thing I care to listen to isanother guy flirting with my girl. "Shit!" I pinch the bridge of my nose. My subconscious is already claiming her, and she's not even mine. "Or is she?" I question, returning my gaze back to them.She is wearing your shirt. It's why you came down here.
"You're cute, Noah Donovan." Her back is to me, but I can hear it in her voice. She's smiling.
"Come on, I saw her go this way," Riley Heron's unmistakable high-pitched shrill says somewhere behind me, and I duck behind a tree.
I've been avoiding her all night, and the last thing I need right now is for her to find me. She'll latch on, and that'll be it. I could lose my chance to talk to Laney, and I refuse to lose the opportunity to ask her why she showed up tonight wearing my t-shirt while she's in it. Once she and her entourage pass, I move closer to get a better view. It's dark now, but the dock has Edison lights strung all around the metal roof and the railings, which helps, but still it's hard to see. I quickly scan the group gathered on the dock, curious who her target might be as she tramps down the ramp on a mission. My curiosity is short-lived when I see her stop right behind Laney.
"Shit," I mutter as I start toward the dock.
"London." Two hands slide around my bicep, catching me off guard. "We've been looking for you all night," one of the girls from Riley's cheer squad says in a seductive come-hither tone.
