Free Falling (18 page)

I shrugged, but again my mind flicked to that blonde witch.
I couldn’t think of anyone else. “My best guess is the man stealing
cheerleader,” I replied, leaning against my locker next to him.

“Maybe.” He nodded, pursing his lips as if he was thinking
about something really hard. “Anyway, change of subject. Want to get food? I’m
starving,” he said, rubbing his flat stomach in little circles.

I winced. “Um, I agreed to eat with Luke.”

He frowned looking at me like I was stupid. “You two got back
together last night?”

I shook my head quickly. “No. We’re just being friends.
We’re seeing how it goes,” I corrected.

He smiled then. “Good, because you deserve better than him.
I can’t see your story ending up like that, you won’t end up with a cheating
jerk,” he commented.

I laughed quietly. “Oh yeah? And how will my story end? Who
will I end up with?” I asked, rolling my eyes at how silly he was.

His arm slung around my shoulder as he winked at me. “You’ll
end up with the bad boy,” he replied, grinning wickedly.

I snorted and slapped my hand into his stomach which made
him laugh and his arm drop off of my shoulder as we walked down the hallway
towards the lunchroom. “Bad boys don’t do it for me.” I shrugged teasingly.
Wait,
am I flirting with him again?
I didn’t even know if this could be classed
as flirting, if it was classed as that then I had no idea I was doing it at
all. I didn’t mean to if I was.

“Everyone loves a bad boy,” he countered, winking at me
teasingly.

“Nah, the bad boy will be expelled before the end of the
year anyway, so that’s not how it’ll happen.” I smirked at him and he just
laughed.

“Let’s hope that’s not true or I’ll need to find myself a
real job in a few months,” he said, frowning distastefully. We talked easily
for the rest of the short journey to the lunchroom.

As we stepped in, Luke pushed himself away from the wall
where he usually met me. He frowned at Zach hatefully before looking at me.
“Ready?” he asked, seeming to completely ignore Zach’s presence.

“Maisie said I could eat with you guys. That’s alright with
you, right, quarterback?” Zach said, smiling politely.

Luke’s hands tightened into fists as he seemed to struggle
with his jealousy. I shot Zach a warning look. He obviously couldn’t resist
pushing Luke’s buttons.

I sighed as they seemed to have some kind of unspoken
conversation. “I’m going to eat with Char and Beth,” I muttered, walking off
and heading to the line to get my food. I grabbed a sandwich and drink and paid
before they had even moved from the spot where I left them. Their conversation
wasn’t a silent one now. I couldn’t make out what they were saying, but judging
by the angry looks on their faces and the gesturing hands, it didn’t look like
friendly chat about sports.

As soon as I sat down, Alex came bounding over. His hand
gripped my shoulder as he looked at me angrily. “Why didn’t you call me and
tell me about your locker?” he asked, shaking his head forcefully.

I brushed his hand off and smiled reassuringly. “It was no
big deal. It’s gone now so don’t worry about it,” I suggested. I had enough to
deal with already; I didn’t really need him going all protective caveman on me.

He raked a hand through his hair as he spoke, “You still
should have called me, Maze-daze.”

“Just leave it, Alex. Everything’s fine,” I assured him.

He sighed and nodded. “Fine. But call me in future,” he
instructed. He turned and walked off. Luke was coming in the other direction,
carrying a tray of food towards my table. As they passed each other, Alex
purposefully slammed his shoulder into Luke’s. I closed my eyes as the tray
clattered to the floor and Alex laughed. “Sorry, Hannigan. Didn’t see you
there.”

“Alex!” I warned, shaking my head as I opened my eyes. Luke
was obviously trying not to react; his teeth were grinding together while my
twin just smirked challengingly in his direction.

Luke wouldn’t start a fight with my brother; for one thing
he knew that Alex was doing it on my behalf so he probably felt he deserved it.
Another reason he wouldn’t start a fight with my brother was that Alex would
kick Luke’s butt, and they both knew it. He was a serious badass at things like
that; he actually wanted to be a professional kickboxer and was already
champion of the junior league.

“I’ll go buy something else,” Luke muttered, turning and
walking off without even acknowledging what had happened. I shot Alex a dark
look, but he just shrugged unashamedly as he walked off.

“Your brother is hot when he’s all rough like that,”
Charlotte whispered, giggling.

I laughed and shook my head. Zach was walking up the aisle
then, heading in my direction. I cringed inwardly at how awkward this lunch was
going to be if both him and Luke were going to sit with us, but thankfully he
caught my eye and nodded towards my where my brother was sitting. I smiled
gratefully and he did a cheesy handshake-bump thing with Alex before setting
his tray down and sitting with him.

When I looked away from Zach, Charlotte and Beth were still
talking about how fine my twin was. I just started on my sandwich and let them
get on with it; I was used to talk about my ‘hottie brother’.

Luke plopped down next to me, but the girls didn’t even
acknowledge his presence as they carried on talking amongst themselves. “Hey.
Sorry about that,” I muttered, smiling apologetically at him.

He shrugged easily. “No worries. It’s not like I don’t
deserve it, so don’t apologise.” He put a blueberry muffin down in front of me.
“Got you this.”

I sighed and felt my heart stutter because he was always
sweet like that. “Thanks.”

The rest of lunch was fairly quiet. I just ate my food,
trying to pretend that everyone wasn’t watching mine and Luke’s every move. The
rumour mill seemed to be waiting with baited breath for the gossip.

My next two classes were fun. I had them both with Zach, and
he really was a funny guy. I did a little more unintentional flirting, but it
was harmless really because he knew I was still hung up on Luke, and he’d
already said he didn’t date. Both of us knew it wouldn’t go anywhere, so I just
let myself be myself and have fun for a change. I even enjoyed my gym class
because he chose me to partner him and we were practicing kicking a football. I
was terrible as I expected, but much to his obvious efforts, it turned out that
Zach couldn’t kick to save his life either. Both of us were in hysterics as we
missed the goal posts time and time again. It was nice to laugh and I didn’t
once think about Luke or my locker.

After braving my last class on my own, Zach was waiting by
my locker at the end of the day. I groaned because this was going to be our
first tutoring session. That part was okay, it was the getting home part that I
was dreading. He was driving, and that therefore meant another ride on his
bike.

“Ready?” he asked, grinning. We’d agreed to go to his place
to study today because his aunt wanted reassurance that he was actually
working. Apparently she hadn’t been too impressed with the state of his face
when he went home last night, so to make her feel better we were studying at
his house so she could keep her eye on him. I’d already text Alex and my mom to
tell them.

I nodded, grabbing the rest of my books from my locker.
“Lead the way then, bad boy,” I teased, laughing.

I followed him out to the parking lot and over to his
motorbike. He stopped beside it and dug around in his rucksack, pulling
something out. I smiled when he held it out to me. “I thought you didn’t like
to wear one,” I mused as I looked down at the black helmet.

He shrugged. “I brought it for you to use, you wanted one
last time.”

“You brought me a helmet?” I smiled gratefully at him
because that was thoughtful. He opened his mouth to answer but was cut off by
someone shouting my name behind us. I turned to see Luke striding over; he
looked murderously angry. “What?” I asked, wondering why he looked so mad.

“You’re not going anywhere with him,” Luke barked, glaring
at Zach as he pulled me into his body, clamping me to him possessively.

I shoved on his chest, pushing myself away from him as I
glared at him with as much hate as I could muster, which probably wasn’t that
much considering I was still in love with him. “Just grow up will you? What the
hell is your problem?” I cried, throwing my hands up in exasperation.

Luke pointed over my shoulder, his eyes angry and his jaw
tight as he glared at Zach. “Him! He’s my problem. The way he looks at you is
my problem. Him taking my girlfriend home is my problem!” he shouted angrily.

Movement at my side told me that Zach had stepped closer to
me. My mouth had gone dry; I had no idea what to say. Luke was delusional, what
on earth was he thinking?

“Why don’t you just leave her alone already?” Zach growled,
his voice angry and full of force. He stood the same height as Luke, but the
way he held himself was more confident and assured, so he somehow looked
taller.

Luke sneered at him. “So you can worm your way into my
girlfriend’s pants? I don’t think so!” he countered, reaching for my hand
again.

I felt my cheeks flame with embarrassment at this
conversation.
Seriously, this is just plain ridiculous!
“Luke, for
goodness sake, get a grip of yourself, you’re being irrationally jealous!” I
scolded, shaking my head firmly.

“There is no freaking way you’re going home with him on that
pile of scrap metal. I’ll drive you home,” he growled.

I frowned and shook my head. “Luke. I’m going to Zach’s
place to tutor him.”

He snorted and shook his head, gripping my hand and pulling
me closer to him again. “Not on that thing you’re not. No way!” he stated,
looking at me sternly.

I looked at him incredulously. Was he seriously going to
tell me what I could and couldn’t do? He had no rights to that anymore - not
that he had the right in the first place, but he lost his say when he bedded
that tramp at the party.

“Don’t tell me what I can do. You don’t own me!” I hissed,
slapping his hand off of my arm angrily. “Go to practice and stop being such a
jealous idiot,” I instructed. I turned to Zach and took the helmet out of his
hand. He was grinning at Luke triumphantly. “And you, stop smirking and start
the damn bike!” I stated.

He laughed and threw his leg over the bike, kick starting
it. I tried not to flinch as it roared to life; the loud growl of the engine
made my stomach tremble with fear. I gulped and pulled the helmet down on my
head, noticing how it fitted nicely. I turned to glare at Luke who was just
standing there with a scowl on his face and his whole posture tight and angry.
I swung my leg over the bike, scooting up close behind Zach and wrapped my arms
tightly around his waist, praying I didn’t die before we got to our desired
destination. I bit back my little scream as we lurched forward and left a
seething Luke behind us.

Chapter 12

I’d actually forgotten how much I enjoyed being on his bike.
By the time we pulled up at his house, I was in a state of euphoria and didn’t
want it to end. My fingers were aching where I was holding on so tightly, but
the adrenalin of driving so fast, leaning into the corners, and the wind
whipping my clothes around, all of it made the biggest smile stretch across my
face. When he cut the engine I was actually a little disappointed, but at least
I had the ride home to look forward to.

When we stopped, he kicked on the stand and I just sat
there, listening to my heart race in my ears as I smiled like an idiot. Zach
talking snapped me back to reality. “As much as I enjoy having you wrap
yourself around me, are you planning on letting go anytime soon?” he asked
sarcastically, smirking at me over his shoulder as his hands brushed over my
arms that were clamped around his waist.

I laughed sheepishly and unwound my arms from the bear hug
that I had him trapped in. “Sorry. They should put handles on these things,” I
muttered, feeling my face flame with embarrassment.

“They do.” He nodded towards the rear of the bike and I
spotted a little handle there, welded just behind me.

I frowned. “So how am I supposed to hold onto that? Ride
backwards?” I asked incredulously.

He laughed, shaking his head as he stood up, climbing off
the bike. “Are we really sure that you’re the right person to be tutoring me?”
he joked, raising one eyebrow playfully.

“Oh ha ha, you’re very funny today,” I muttered, rolling my
eyes as I climbed awkwardly off the bike. When I pulled the helmet off my head,
he burst out laughing. “What?”

“You have helmet hair,” he chuckled. I groaned and shoved
the helmet in his chest, freeing my hands so I could smooth back my ponytail
again while he just laughed quietly at me and stowed the helmet in his bag.
“Come on, I’m hungry.” He walked off towards his house without waiting for me.
As I followed behind him, I looked at the place he lived; it was a sweet little
detached house with a white front door. The front yard looked well-kept and
everything had a little cute feel about it.

“This is a nice place,” I commented as I followed him inside
and into the hallway. It was just as cute inside as it was outside; everything
had that homey feel about it.

He nodded. “It’s alright I guess. It’s not as nice as your
house. Your parents must earn a bundle, huh?” he replied, nodding up the short
hallway, motioning for me to go first.

“I guess, I don’t really know. My dad works hard at what he
does.” I shrugged. At the end of the hallway I stepped into an adorable little
rustic kitchen. His aunt was sitting at the table with her laptop out, chewing
on her pen thoughtfully. She looked up and smiled as we walked in together.