Perfect for You (7 page)

“Jackson thinks I’m amazing? Did he say that?” Ash laughs, a cute, little boy kind of laugh.

“Not in that way. I mean, I don’t think he wants to go to prom with you or anything, but—” Ash puts his finger up to my lips.

“Since neither of us would look good in a dress, I’ll stop you there.” He pulls me close. “Jackson’s legs aren’t anywhere near as sexy as yours.”

My legs are long and would probably look good in the short skirts and shorts Liz wears, but I’m not a slut so I’ll never find out for sure. Damn, I’m thinking about her again.

I wrap my leg around Ash’s and squeeze. “They’re strong, too.”

“You’re seriously killing me…again.” He kisses my neck, sending chills throughout my body. “Two can play at that game.”

I laugh and playfully push him away. Yes, this is perfect. The way it should be. Even in a room full of people, it’s like Ash and I are the only ones here. He makes me forget about the rest of the world. I wish it could always be this way. Here, at school, on the courts…when Noah is around.

Noah. Why does he get to me so much? Why can’t I remember moments like this when he’s around? How is he able to break the spell that Ash and I cast when we’re together? It’s like he has this power over me.

And I’m not sure how I feel about it yet.

Chapter Eight

The first few days of school are filled with talk about college applications and other things I don’t want to think about right now. It’s like all the teachers have the same thing on their minds—getting us out of this place. If we weren’t so anxious to do just that, we might be offended. At least I would be. But really the only thing on my mind is the match against Brighton on Thursday. Ash has practice so he’ll miss most of the match, but he promised he’d run straight over to the courts the second practice ends.

Thursday comes too quickly. I’m not sure I’m ready, and I spend study hall tapping my pencil on the table in the library until Noah comes over and sits next to me.

“Nervous?”

I haven’t seen him since before Jackson’s party. We don’t have any of the same classes. I did catch a glimpse of him at lunch yesterday, but he was with his friends and I was sitting with Ash, so we didn’t talk at all.

“Today’s the match against Brighton.”

“I know.” He reaches for my hand, steadying the pencil. His hand lingers on mine, and all I can do is stare at our fingers. “I’ll be there.”

I raise my eyes to his. “You will?” Noah’s never come to one of the girls’ matches.

“Of course. I want to see that girl’s face when you wipe the court with her.” His fingertips lightly tickle my palm, and suddenly it’s not the match that’s making me nervous anymore. My pencil drops and rolls across the table.

“How have you been? I haven’t seen you in a while,” I say, realizing I’ve missed him. Even though I’ve been basking in my relationship with Ash, which has been absolutely perfect ever since Jackson’s party, I really did miss Noah. Especially his dimple.

“I figured you needed to clear your head.” So he knows he makes my head spin.

“Yeah.” This whole situation is so complicated. It’s like my heart wants to split in two.

“You know volleying is her weakness, right?” Noah says, bringing me back to the conversation.

“How would you know? She never comes to net.”

“That’s how I know. She avoids the net. Make her go there and you’ll beat her no problem.” He’s still tickling my palm.

“Thanks.”

“And I’ll be there to calm you down in case you get into any trouble.”

Calm me down? Noah has the exact opposite effect on me.

Before I know it, the bell is ringing and the day is over. “Time to go face Kendall Mercer.”

Noah stands up, pulling me to my feet. He doesn’t let go of my hand. “Time to
beat
Kendall Mercer.” He squeezes my hand and smiles. “You’ve got this, Meg.”

He means it. He believes in me, and right now, that’s exactly what I need. Someone to believe in me because I’m still doubting myself. “I should go.”

“See you out there.” He squeezes my hand one last time before letting go. I watch him leave, wondering if the last twenty minutes undid the past week in any way. I thought I was over the whole Noah thing. I was happy focusing on Ash. But seeing Noah now…I’m not sure.

I stop at my locker, dropping my books inside and grabbing my uniform and racket. Ash’s arms slip around me, and I spin around to face him. Before I can even say hi, his lips are on mine. Instantly, everything I feel for him is back. My heart races. My hands abandon my gear and find Ash’s face. This feels right.

“Just wanted to wish you luck, not that you need it. You’re going to do great.” He leans his forehead on mine.

“Thanks.”

“I’ll get there as soon as I can. I even told the guys that when we go on our run, we’re circling the courts so I can cheer for you.”

Ash will see Noah there. Jackson will see Noah there. “You don’t have to do that. I don’t want to get you in trouble. Come by when you’re finished.” I’m suddenly hoping my match ends before Ash’s practice is over so I can convince Noah to leave before Ash sees him.

“Hey.” Ash lifts my chin. “I’m going to do everything I can to be there for you. What’s the worst Coach can do to me? He’s not going to bench his best player this close to Saturday’s game.”

I force a smile. “Great.”

Ash walks me to the locker room and kisses me goodbye. “Does ‘break a leg’ work for tennis?”

“Not really. I can’t play with a broken leg.”

“Okay. How about break
her
leg?”

I smile, which is exactly what he was hoping for.

“I love you, Meg.”

“I love you, too.”

He kisses me again before turning in the direction of the guys’ locker room. I stare after him, but Noah is standing in the gym. I’m sure he heard everything. Heard me say the L-word. Our eyes meet, and all he does is smile. Strange. I turn and head inside the locker room to avoid the awkwardness.

***

Noah jogs over to the courts, just in time for the start of my match. He catches my eye as I step up to the service line. “It’s all you, Flannigan.”

I smile, something I never thought I’d be able to do at the start of a match against Kendall Mercer. I’m ready, confident. I take the first set easily, and I’m about to finish off the match when I hear Ash yell, “Yeah, Meg!”

I look up to see the entire football team running in place and cheering for me. My eyes fly over to Noah, waiting for Ash to notice him. Kendall serves, and the ball whizzes past my head. I wasn’t even paying attention. I’m about to call her on it, but Ash turns to Noah. Oh, crap! Don’t do this now. Don’t get into a fight in the middle of my match.

“Time out for a sec,” I yell to Kendall, putting my hand up in the air.

“Are you hurt?” she asks. That’s really the only reason a player can stop in the middle of a game. Otherwise, the coaches are supposed to call the time-outs.

“I’m not sure,” I lie. I pretend to hobble a little, making my way over to the fence around the court and leaning against it.

Ash jogs down to meet me. “Are you okay?” he asks, but I can see he has other things on his mind. Namely Noah.

“I think so. I twisted my ankle.” I’m playing the sympathy card, but I don’t know what else to do.

“Do you want me to call Coach Moyers over?”

“No. I don’t want to worry him. I just need a minute.”

Ash lowers his eyes and grips the fence. “What’s he doing here, Meg?”

“Who?” I’ve never been good at playing dumb.

“Who do you think?”

“He wants to support me.”

“You think he’s strictly here as a tennis fan?” Ash’s eyes burn into me.

“No. He’s my friend.”

“Your friend? You haven’t seen him since the water park, right?”

“Yeah. I mean, no. I mean, right.” Yeah, stutter, that should help the situation.

“Is your ankle okay?” He points to my foot, which is holding me up with no problem at all. “Because I need to get these guys back over to the practice field before Coach kicks my ass.”

“Yeah. I’m good.”

“Good luck.”

I reach for his hand, but he pulls his fingers from the fence and turns away, heading back up the hill. He didn’t say it, but I know we’ll be talking more about Noah later. Now’s just not the time, and Ash gets that. I can’t blow this match over boy drama. Jackson lags behind the rest of the team to glare at me. I’m on his shit list again.

Kendall’s coach approaches me. “What’s the hold up? Do you need the trainer?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I twisted my ankle, but I’m okay. I can play.”

“Good. Then let’s get this match back on track. The pause in play is distracting my player.” Does he really think that’s why she’s losing? Because I’m slowing up the match?

“Sure thing.” I smile at him, ready to show him exactly why Kendall is losing. Only I blow the next three points.

“Come on, Meg,” Noah yells. “Stick to your plan. You can win this. Get
him
out of your head.” He thinks Ash is the problem. Maybe he’s right. I was doing great until Ash and the football team came along.

I need to forget about Ash and Noah right now. I force all thoughts from my mind and get back in the game. I focus on making Kendall volley, knowing I can win points that way. I bring her to the net, point after point. One of my shots almost hits her in the head, and she yells and steps aside to avoid getting hit.

Noah is laughing up a storm, and I’m tempted to join him. I have this match in the bag, but I keep my excitement inside so I don’t get called on poor sportsmanship. Match point comes, and I can already feel the win. My confidence is soaring, and I can’t help feeling that it’s because Noah is here cheering for me. I win the point and the match.

“Yes!” I jump up and down. Noah’s on his feet and screaming. I jog to the net to shake Kendall’s hand. “Good game.”

“Yeah, you too.” Her voice is full of disappointment. I have to give her credit. I’d be in tears right now if I’d lost. I motion for her to exit the court first. I don’t want her to have to see me celebrate right in front of her. Still, I deserve to celebrate.

I rush over to the little hill where Noah is waiting for me. He’s all smiles and holds his arms out. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself. I run into his arms, and he spins me around. I’m flying. Between the win and Noah being here, I’m in heaven.

Until I see Ash walking over to us.

Chapter Nine

“You were amazing,” Noah says, his lips brushing my ear.

I tap his shoulder. “Could you put me down, please?” My eyes are locked on Ash, who’s getting closer by the second and not at all happy about seeing me in Noah’s arms.

Noah sets me down and turns, following my gaze. He doesn’t look at Ash for long. “Guess that’s my cue to leave.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Great job again. I knew you could do it. We’ll talk more later.”

“Thanks. For everything. I couldn’t have beaten her without your help.”

He smiles as he walks away, not even looking in Ash’s direction, and I’m thankful for that. The last thing I need is Ash getting kicked off the team for fighting with Noah.

“Hey.” I rush up to him, forcing a smile on my face. “I won!” I go to hug him, but he grabs my arms, not letting me get any closer.

“I don’t even know where to start, Meg.” His hands shake as they hold my arms. “First I see him here, which makes no sense to me because I thought you two stopped hanging out. Then, I rush over here to catch the end of your match and I find you with your arms wrapped around him.” He lets go of me, like he can’t stand to touch me after I hugged Noah.

“Ash, it was nothing. Noah came to support me because he’s a good friend.”

“A good friend?” Ash is practically yelling, and people are starting to stare.

I pull him toward the track and away from all the listening ears. “What do you want me to say? He told me Kendall’s weakness. He told me what to do to beat her, and he was right. Besides, it’s not like I could ask him to leave. The match is open to the public, and I was too busy focusing on beating Kendall to even think about Noah being here.” Not entirely true. I liked having Noah here. He gave me the confidence I needed to win. And it’s nice having someone who understands tennis to talk to. Someone other than Grayson or the other girls on the team. Ash is always busy with football. I got him to play tennis once, but he couldn’t get the hang of it, and he never asked to practice with me again after that.

Ash runs his fingers through his hair and stares out at the courts. I have no idea how my teammates are doing. I should be there cheering on Grayson. It’s her first varsity match, and I know she’s nervous.

“Ash, I have to get back to my team. If I’m not there to support them, Coach is going to be pissed.”

“What about me? Don’t you care that I’m pissed?” His eyes are red, and I’m not sure if it’s from anger or if…“I feel like I’m losing you, Meg.”

“What?” I reach for his hands, not letting him push me away this time. “Ash, no. I’m not going anywhere. Noah is just a friend. That’s it.”

“I don’t get it. He’s totally into you, and you’re either too naïve to see it or you like his attention and won’t set him straight.”

Ouch. Neither of those options sounds like something I want to admit to. I let go of his hands and reach for his waist, pulling my body up against his. “Ash, I’m with you. I only want you. Maybe Noah does like me, but it doesn’t really matter. I love
you
.”

He sighs and lowers his head, resting his forehead on mine. “I don’t want him to come between us.”

“Then don’t let him.” I reach up and kiss him, softly at first, but his hands wrap around me and he deepens the kiss. I can feel all of his insecurity, his fear, his anger. All caused by me. I have to make it go away. He’s so good to me, and he doesn’t deserve to feel this way. We back up, getting lost under the cover of the bleachers. We’re a tangle of limbs. Ash’s lips move across my face to my neck, making me moan.