Perfect for You (3 page)

“You okay?” Noah asks.

“Yeah. I guess I never really looked at it that way. It makes sense though.”

“If you want a crowd to hang with, I can help you.” He turns slightly, looking at me out of the corner of his eye.

“You mean hang out with you and your friends?”

“May as well aim for the top, right?” There’s that confidence again. He knows I want what he’s offering. “If you’re going to choose a crowd, it should be the best.”

“So, are you inducting me into your group or something? Is that what this is?” I can’t deny I’m tempted. Being part of the popular crowd would make senior year a lot more memorable.

“I guess you could look at it that way.” His dimple is back. “I’ll steer you in the right direction. Show you who you should stop spending so much time with.”

“Grayson?” I can’t ditch Gray, not even to be part of Noah’s clique.

“You two are lifers. I get that.”

“Then who?” The only other person I’m always with is Ash.

Noah raises an eyebrow. He doesn’t need to say Ash’s name. We both know that’s who he’s talking about.

Chapter Three

For a moment, I’m too shocked to say anything. Is Noah really saying I shouldn’t be with Ash? As far as I know, Noah has never hung out with Ash. He doesn’t know him at all. How dare he even hint at me breaking up with him?

“Look, I’m sure he’s a nice guy, so don’t get me wrong. You two just don’t go together.”

If Noah didn’t sound so sincere, I’d jump out of the car, moving and all, but he has this look on his face like he’s concerned for me. “I don’t get it. What are you saying?”

“He’s not part of the crowd you belong in.”

I don’t have a crowd at all. I thought that was the whole point of this conversation. “What’s wrong with the football players? Ash is the quarterback and the captain. He can’t get any higher up than that.”

“Sure, but when you’re the captain of a team that sucks, it doesn’t amount to much.”

I open my mouth to defend Ash, but the truth is, the team is awful. Only a handful of guys can actually play. The rest are just there to say they’re part of the sport. Treemont has never really had a good football program, no matter how much the coaches push and make the guys practice.

“Ash is good. If he had more than one good receiver, maybe—”

Noah holds his hand up in defense. “Hey, I’m not trying to dis your boyfriend. I’m just saying you could do better.”

Now, I wish I didn’t agree to go with him. This is a mistake. “You don’t even know me—or Ash. How can you say I can do better?”

“I know you don’t have good taste in guys.” He glances at me quickly before turning into the water park. He parks the car in the rear lot and cuts the engine.

I sit there and debate calling a cab to take me home. I don’t want to be here anymore. I don’t want to listen to him criticize Ash or my taste in guys.

“Look,” Noah unhooks his seat belt and turns to me, “I know what happened between you and Derrick.”

Of course he does. Just about the entire school knows about that. “So?”

“So, that kind of proves you aren’t great at picking guys to date. Although,” he smiles, a warm smile that makes his eyes light up, “you are here with me now, so there’s hope for you yet.”

I want to be angry. I want to tell him to leave me alone. But he’s looking at me like I’m…well, like I’m someone he could see himself dating. Before I know it, I’m turning red, judging by the warmth in my cheeks.

“Come on. Let’s go have fun. School starts in a week and summer will be officially over. You can worry about who to hang out with then. For now, let’s enjoy the present company.”

I’m still not sure about any of this, but it’s like I have no control over my actions. My brain says one thing, and my body does another. It’s taking all my effort to stay glued to the seat.

“Don’t make me throw you over my shoulder and carry you in there. I’m getting that race down Tube Mountain one way or another.” His teasing tone, combined with the dimple on his cheek, does me in.

“Carry me over your shoulder? Now I know you’re just being cocky.”

“Oh, really?” He gets out and keeps his eyes locked on me as he walks around the front of the car and opens my door. “Come on.” He motions me toward his outstretched arms.

“No way. You’re crazy.” I playfully smack his hands away, but he dives into the car and grabs me around my waist. I’m laughing so hard I can’t fight him. He pulls me out, crouching down low so that I’m draped over him. I’m not sure how he manages to get my seat belt off and me over his shoulder, but he does. He shuts the door, locks the car, and heads to the ticket booth.

Everyone is staring at us. “Okay, you’ve made your point. You can put me down now.”

“Not until we’re inside. I’m not trusting you to cooperate.” He pays admission for both of us, making it feel even more like a date.

“Hey, I have money on me, you know.”

“Where? In your bikini top?”

I smack his shoulder. “No! The back pocket of my shorts.”

“Is that an invitation to help myself?” Without seeing his face, I know the dimple is back.

“Don’t even think about it. Now, put me down.”

“Yeah, Noah, put her down.” I turn my head to see Emma Ryerson, one of Noah’s friends. She glares at him accusingly. “You didn’t call me back.”

“I was busy.” He sets me down and I fix my tank top, which is bunched up, exposing my mid-drift.

Emma eyes me and smirks. “I see that. Who’s your friend?” I’m not surprised she doesn’t know my name. We’ve gone to school together our whole lives, but to people like her, I just don’t exist.

“You know Meg Flannigan.” Noah gives me a wink.

“Not really. You two have been hanging out, huh?” Emma asks.

“Coach begged me to help her improve her game.”

I smack his arm. “Whatever, you big liar.”

“Cute.” Emma looks back and forth between us. “So, you guys want to hang with us?” She motions to the concession stand behind her where the rest of Noah’s clique is throwing out their trash. “We were about to hit Tube Mountain.”

Noah wags his eyebrows at me. “What luck? That’s where we’re heading.”

Hanging out with Noah and his friends is more than a little intimidating, but after the uncomfortable car ride and the suggestion that I break up with Ash, a group outing—because this is
not
a date—is definitely a smarter idea.

“Sounds good to me.” I smile at Emma, who’s still staring at me.

The rest of Noah’s friends join us, making a group of six. Noah goes through the introductions, not that it’s necessary. I know who each of them is. Nathan is on the tennis team with Noah. Tyler is the best golfer at Treemont High. And Lindsey is the star sprinter. I can’t help thinking that Ash, being the best football player, should fit in with them, but he doesn’t. These guys are in their own little world. A world where they make the rules and everyone bows at their feet. A world I’ve never been a part of before today.

We head to the locker rooms and change out of our clothes. I check my phone and see there’s a text from Ash.

Ash: For some reason, I miss you extra today. I blame last night.

I check the time of the text. Ten minutes ago. That means I was either draped over Noah’s shoulder or agreeing to spend the day with the popular crowd. Either way, the worst girlfriend award goes to me.

I text him back.

Meg: Same here. See you tonight.

“Ready?” Emma asks. She sees I’m texting and looks over my shoulder. “Who are you talking to?”

“My boyfriend.” God, I hate that my voice is so small right now.

She cocks her head at me. “Boyfriend?”

“Asher Davidson.”

She narrows her eyes like she’s confused. “But you and Noah are hanging out.”

“Yeah, but we’re just friends.”

She puts one hand on my shoulder and sighs. “Noah doesn’t want to be just friends. You know that, right?”

I don’t know what to say. She only ran into us a few minutes ago. How could she know how Noah feels about me? “Did he say something to you?”

“He doesn’t need to. I’ve known him forever. I know when he likes a girl, and he has his eye on you.”

I shrug and put my phone in the locker, shutting the door. “He knows I’m with Ash. He doesn’t seem to care.”

“I didn’t say he cared. Noah doesn’t let anything or anyone stop him from getting what he wants.”

“I’m not a prize or something he can win.”

“I guess we’ll see about that.” She turns and walks out, leaving me there with my mouth gaping open. Is this all a game to people like Noah and Emma?

“You coming?” Lindsey asks me, stopping in the doorway.

“Yeah.” I follow her out because I don’t know what else to do right now. A huge part of me is determined to show them they’re wrong about Ash and me. We are just as good as they are. I’m going to make them see that.

Noah’s eyes linger on me a little too long when I turn the corner. He’s standing at the entrance to Tube Mountain. His navy blue and yellow bathing suit is loud, and I can’t help wondering if he wears it to get people’s attention. He wants people to look at him. To admire his six-pack. (I knew he had a six-pack!) To check out his perfectly toned arms and calves. Damn it! I look down at my flip-flops.

“Nice suit,” Noah whispers as I walk past him and get in line.

“Thanks. It’s not my favorite, but it holds up well in these conditions.”

“What conditions?”

“Me kicking your ass at tubing.” I smile, and the awkwardness fades away, at least for now.

“Ooh, we have a competition on our hands,” Nathan says, slamming a hand down on Noah’s shoulder.

“All right, settle down.” Noah crosses his arms and steps toward me. “Care to make a friendly wager?”

“Depends. What are thinking?”

“It’s no fun if you make me tell you first.”

“Yeah,” Nathan says. “You have to agree
before
you settle on the terms.” I’m quickly realizing Nathan is Noah’s sidekick.

“Okay, fine. I’ll bite.”

“Did you hear that, Noah?” Tyler says. “She bites.”

Noah smiles at me. “Good to know.”

Crap. I did not mean it that way.

He reaches his hand out, and I hesitate before taking it. No, this is silly. We’re shaking, not holding hands. I give him my hand and we shake, only he doesn’t let go. I stare at our hands, feeling trapped.

“Okay, if you make it down the mountain first, then you get to pick the next challenge,” Noah says.

Simple enough. “Let me guess. If you win, you pick?”

He tugs his hand down, pulling me closer to him. “If I win, you have to kiss me.”

No way. I’m not cheating on Ash. I yank my hand from his. “Not happening.” I turn away, and the ride attendant ushers me up the steps.

“What, Ash is going to flip over you kissing my cheek?” Noah says, following me up the steps.

I look over my shoulder. “Right, because that’s what you meant.”

“Actually, it is. I wouldn’t ask you to cheat on your boyfriend.”

We reach the top, and two attendants hand us our tubes. I look at Noah, trying to figure out if he’s telling the truth or not.

“Seriously, I won’t ask you to do anything you don’t want to do. Forget the bet. It’s stupid. Let’s just enjoy the ride.”

I nod. If he’s willing to drop it, then so am I. I take my seat on the tube, and Noah holds his hand out.

“Only way to make sure neither of us gets a head start is to hold hands until the count of three.”

What the hell? I take his hand. “One,” he counts. “Two. Three.” He lets go, and we both lean forward. The water takes us rushing down the mountain, over the bumps, and through the turns. I’m flying, and I forget everything that just happened. I love the feel of the air on my face and the water spraying my legs. Noah reaches the bottom first, but I don’t even care.

“That was awesome,” I say.

“Guess I won.” Noah reaches for my hand and pulls me to my feet. Our faces are inches apart. Suddenly I feel like I’m flying down Tube Mountain again. At least my heart thinks I am. “Too bad we called off the bet,” Noah says, his lips brushing my cheek.

One thing is clear. I’m in over my head.

Chapter Four

Before I know it, it’s dinnertime and we’re all standing in front of the cheesesteak place. I’ve managed to avoid making any more bets with Noah or even getting too close to him. I can’t deny the attraction between us, but I can stop myself from acting on it. I won’t hurt Ash like that. Of course as soon as I sit down, Noah slides into the seat next to me.

“Good, you’re one of the few girls who actually eats. I can’t stand the ones who order diet soda and only eat lettuce.”

“Not a fan of diet anything, but I do like salads on the side of actual food.”

“See, that’s why I like you.” He playfully bumps his shoulder into mine as he sips his drink. I can’t help wondering what “like” really means to him. I’ve been watching him with Lindsey and Emma. He jokes around with them and does have a tendency to touch their shoulders or arms, but he doesn’t look at them the same way he looks at me. It’s obvious he only thinks of them as friends. Me? I’m not so sure.

“What time do you have to be at the school tonight?” he asks, when I don’t respond to his comment.

The school! “Damn it, I’m supposed to meet Grayson. What time is it?” I reach for the watch on his wrist, turning his arm slightly so I can see what it says. His arm grazes my chest, and our eyes meet. One corner of his mouth curves up. I let go, the time not even registering in my head.

“Are you late to meet her?”

I have no clue, but I can’t tell him I was too distracted by him touching my boobs to notice the time. Crap!

“I have to call her. My cell is in the locker room.”

“I’ll walk with you.” Before I can protest, he’s on his feet. No time to argue. At least I don’t think there’s time.

I’m on the verge of power walking, and Noah grabs my arm, slowing me down. “What’s the rush? If you’re already late, you’re already late, right?”

“I promised I’d spend the day with her. If she doesn’t make varsity this year, Coach will cut her from the team. I can’t let that happen.”