Beautiful (9 page)

When we both needed air, we slowly moved back. Skylar’s eyes met mine, and I knew she was letting down the walls around her.

“I’ve never felt like this before with anyone, Wyatt. That scares me and excites me, but I’m not sure how ready I am to—”

Before she had a chance to keep talking, I placed my finger to her lips. “I’m not looking for anything more than what you are ready to give, Sky. I care about you, and I would never rush you into doing anything you’re not ready for.”

Her eyes searched my face before the most breathtaking smile spread over her face. “Where did you come from?”

“New Mexico.”

Laughing, she hit my chest and rolled her eyes. “Thank you.”

My heart felt like it was about to jump from my chest. I loved hearing her laugh, and I loved it even more when I was the reason behind it. “For?”

“For bringing me back to life.”

Those six words sealed the deal.

I was falling in love with Skylar, and I was going to enjoy every single moment of it.

My stomach felt all goofy as hell as I looked into her eyes. “Ready for that bike ride?”

She nodded, and we set off. I’d never seen Skylar so happy. I planned on remembering this day for the rest of my life.

“I love you, too, Skip. I promise, I will.” Skylar peeked over at me and smiled. “I’ll let him know. Yes, Mitch has given him a warning, so please stop worrying.”

With a chuckle, I shook my head.

Once Skylar hung up with her brother, we got on the bikes and went for another bike ride.

I loved seeing her carefree and happy.

After the bike ride, we made our way into the back of my truck. We sat there and talked for what seemed like forever.

Every time I saw a shooting star, I would make a wish, and it was the same damn wish each and every time.

I wish Skylar would let her walls down and let me make her mine.

Before we left, Skylar took my hand in hers. “Thank you for making this such an amazing night. I’m usually sad because Skip isn’t here, but you turned it into something wonderful and a night I’ll never forget.”

When I placed my hand on the side of her face, she leaned into it.

“Neither will I, Sky. Never.”

Skylar

“Sky! Michelle just pulled up,” Mom called out.

Running into the kitchen, I grabbed an apple and kissed my mother on the cheek. “Bye, Mom! Have a great day!”

“You sure are happy. Did you enjoy your evening with Wyatt?”

I was positive my face blushed. “Yeah. He really made it special.”

“Well, by the smile on your face when you got home, I’d say so.”

“It’s nothing like that, Mom. We’re just…friends.”

She lifted her eyebrow. “Uh-huh. Well, ever since you two became
friends
, you’ve been smiling a lot more. It makes me happy.”

Michelle honked her horn.

“I’ve got to run. See ya later, Mom. Love you!”

“Love you, too, sweetheart. Have a good day.”

Slipping into Michelle’s car, I grinned. “Morning!”

Her mouth dropped open, and her eyes widened. “Oh. My. God!”

“What?”

“Something happened.”

My heart stopped. “What? What happened?”

Michelle rolled her eyes. “I swear, Skylar, how do you make straight As? I mean, something happened between you and Wyatt last night. It’s written all over your face.”

My face instantly warmed.

“Oh my God! You’re blushing, Skylar! What happened? Did he kiss you?”

The way my heart was pounding in my chest, I was sure Michelle could hear it. “Maybe.”

Her mouth fell open, and then a smile broke out across her face. “Skylar!” Screaming, she started going crazy in her seat.

Laughing, I pushed her on the shoulder. “Stop it already. Come on, we’re going to be late if you don’t get going.”

It didn’t take Michelle long to hit me with one question after another. “So, how was it?”

“Amazing.”

“Like, how amazing? Like your stomach fluttered a little or toe-curling?”

Feeling the heat on my face again, I looked out the window. “Toe-curling amazing.”

“I knew it! I knew that boy was going to be a good kisser. And…was that all he did?”

“Yep. Always the perfect gentleman,” I said with a wink.

“Does Mitch know?”

I gave her a look, as if to say,
Really?
“Do you honestly think I came right home and told Mitch that Wyatt kissed me and that both times I felt like I was going to combust?”

“Twice? Twice! You left that bit of information out, bitch.”

Chuckling, I reached over and turned on the radio. “Sorry. In case you were wondering, the whole evening was beyond words. Did Mitch tell you that Wyatt had him bring my bike?” Smiling, I thought back to last night as my heart skipped a beat. “The things he does…he makes me feel so special.”

“He likes you. A lot.”

My smile faded. “But if we were to date…people would shun him. That’s the last thing I want.”

“Screw them. Besides, I think if Wyatt was worried about that type of shit, he would never have sat down at our lunch table that day.”

I knew she was right, but it was still something that weighed heavily on my mind.

We drove the rest of the way to school in silence as I mentally prepared myself for another day in hell.

Michelle’s locker was two down from mine, and Mitch was standing there, waiting for her. I loved the way he looked at her, like she was his everything.

Not being able to wipe my smile from my face, I opened my locker. The smile faded quickly when I saw a note. Opening it, I frowned as I read it.

Give it up now, Skylar. No guy will ever be interested in anything other than sex with you. After all, isn’t that what you’re good at? Maybe Wyatt should ask Jacob.

Inhaling a deep breath, I ripped the note in half and then crumbled it up. Searching for what I needed for class, I tried to keep my hands from shaking. Quickly glancing around, I saw Jenny staring at me. Rather than give her the satisfaction of knowing the note had gotten to me, I smiled and shut the locker. Walking over to the trash, I tossed the note away and headed to class.

Right before I was set to walk into the room, someone pushed me from behind, causing me to fly forward. I dropped everything, so I could catch myself. I wanted to burst into tears as I tried to hurry and gather everything up.

Jacob squatted down. “Here, let me help.”

My eyes met his, and all I could see was pity.

That was the last thing I wanted from him. “I got it.”

“Skylar, just let me help you pick up your books.”

He reached for my math book, but I pulled it out of his hands.

“Help me?
Now
, you want to help me? Where were you when I really needed you, Jacob?”

He opened his mouth to talk, but nothing came out. I felt the tears building in my eyes. I could only imagine the stuff he’d made up about me when we were dating. We’d never had sex, but everyone assumed we had.

A single tear slipped from my eye. Wiping it away, I grabbed the last two things on the floor and made my way into the classroom. Jacob was in this class, and I could feel his eyes on me the entire period. I dared to look over at him once, only to see I was right. He was staring hard-core at me.

The moment the bell rang, I rushed out of the room and to my next class. The entire time, I prayed no one noticed me.

I somehow managed to get through the school day unnoticed by anyone else—well, except for Wyatt. He was the only bright thing to my day. In English, we wrote notes back and forth while Mrs. Hathaway talked about the next book we would be reading in class.

At the end of the day, Wyatt walked up to my locker and flashed me a look that had everything around me disappearing. The only thing that mattered was the way his eyes observed me.

“Do you work tonight?” he asked, pushing a piece of my hair behind my ear.

Swallowing hard, I looked around to see if anyone was watching. “Nope.”

“So, you’ll be at the football game?”

I swore, every nerve ending tingled. I couldn’t contain my smile even if I tried. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

He leaned down and put his mouth next to my ear. “Good. I’m dying for another kiss, but I’ll be patient and wait until we’re alone.”

And just like that, he was gone, leaving me standing there like a mess. My chest fluttered, and I fought for breath.

When I finally snapped out of it, I saw Jenny glaring at me. If looks could kill, I would be lying flat on the floor.

Turning, I grabbed the books I’d need over the weekend and quickly made my way out to Michelle’s car. She was already sitting in her car with her blonde hair pulled up into a ponytail. LoCash was blasting over her speakers. I tried to hide my laughter but couldn’t.

Opening the door, I slipped in and looked at her. “Happy?”

“Oh my God! Beyond happy!”

Okay, I’ll bite.
“Dare I ask why?”

“Mitch has something special planned for our two-year anniversary tonight. I really hope it involves him and me, alone and breathing heavy.”

Snarling my lip, I shuddered.
Ugh, I shouldn’t have asked.

“Seriously? Did you forget that he’s my brother? Gross. I just threw up some in my mouth.”

“Please. Like you didn’t know your brother and I have been having sex—the best sex ever, I might add.”

I shook my head. “What do you have to compare it to? He’s the only guy you’ve ever slept with.”

Pulling out, she shrugged. “I don’t know, but he sure as hell makes me feel good, so I’m going to pretend it is and will be the best sex of my life.”

“Subject change, please!” I pleaded.

Michelle let out a roar of laughter. “Fine. How was your day?”

Sighing, I replied, “Well, besides some asshole tripping me in the hall before first period and Jacob trying to come to my rescue…it was uneventful.”

“I knew it.”

“Knew what?” I asked, glancing over to her.

“He’s jealous.”

I let out a fake chuckle. “Of what?”

“Seriously, Skylar, are you this dense? He is so jealous of Wyatt that it is unreal.”

My mouth dropped open. There was no way Jacob would ever be jealous. Once all the rumors had started, he’d dropped me like a hot plate. He never once stood up for me or set people straight. It’d hurt more than I could ever put into words. I’d thought I loved him.

“Please. Jacob couldn’t care less about me. Or don’t you remember him breaking up with me in the midst of everything?”

“Oh, I remember. I also see the way he stares at y’all when you’re together or the way he looks at you when he walks by. He regrets what he did. I’m pretty sure he regretted it the moment he did it.”

My heart felt like someone was squeezing it at the memory of Jacob calling me and telling me it was over. The only reason he had given was that he couldn’t risk being shunned by the rest of the football team if he picked my side.

I hadn’t realized there were sides to pick. To me, it was always about me telling the truth and Charlie lying.

“Well, it doesn’t matter anymore. I’ll never forgive him for the way he treated me. Ever.”

Michelle nodded as she pulled up to my house. “Good. That was the answer I wanted to hear.”