Chapter Thirty-Three
Juliet
Jared and I have been playing this game for about an hour. We’re both nearly even in money. We’re both even in properties, hotels, and yeah, he’s smarter than I thought. Chase and Adaline can’t stand playing Monopoly with me in video game version or even traditional board game because I have an unbeatable strategy. However, Jared seems to have the same system.
I click to roll the dice. “Son of a bitch,” Jared growls. “You got freaking doubles.”
I do my little happy shake and say, “Ha in your face and I landed on free parking. Booyah!”
“Keep shaking that cute ass of yours in front of the screen you won’t be doing that little dance next roll. In fact, I bet all that money you just heisted me out of will be coming back to me very soon.”
I click the button again and sure enough, I land on one of his damn hotels. Marvin Gardens. That’s bull.
“Aw peanuts.”
“Fork it over, baby.”
I shoot him a glare as I pay his darn fee.
Jared chuckles. I smack his arm as he clicks to roll. The one die is a two the other a one. “That was unfair. You cheated when you struck me while I was rolling.”
“Pssssh. Who is here to really call that cheating?” I look around the room. “No one.”
“That’s it.” Jared lunges at me. I squeak as I’m being sent to floor my back smacks against my carpet. Before I can breathe, think, or even defend myself Jared’s lips brush against mine.
I’m completely stunned. We shouldn’t be kissing. He has a girlfriend. But I feel all tingly. Like little fireworks are popping off in my body, starting from my toes and shooting up to my mouth. I press myself to his lips then drop my controller absentmindedly to the floor. I weave my fingers through his soft, dark locks and continue to kiss him.
He parts from my mouth. “I’ve wanted to do that to you forever.”
“Why?” I leave off the part that he has a girlfriend. He shouldn’t be thinking let alone admitting to wanting to kiss me forever. Even if it is the best damn kiss of my life. It couldn’t have gotten anymore storybook perfect.
“Juliet I’ve had a crush on you since elementary school.”
I pop on an elbow causing him to draw back further from me. “What? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“You never noticed anyone. How could I confess something like that when you only talked to Chase, Adaline, or Layla? Anytime I said hi to you, you barely said a word back to me. Last year was probably the first time you said more than three words to me.”
“No way I … ” Crap he’s right. I never really talked to Jared. I usually thought he was being nice to everyone ‘cause he wanted some kind of vote on something. “I guess I didn’t say much.”
Jared sighs. “It’s partly my fault too. I didn’t think someone like you would even want me.”
“Why wouldn’t I want you? Every girl at our school is salivating for you.”
“That may be true, but I knew one who wasn’t. She didn’t even look at me. She didn’t give a crap if we went to states. She certainly didn’t hug me in the halls and tell me good luck.”
“Because that’s weird. I mean I wouldn’t want someone to randomly hug me then tell me good luck or nice job.”
He smiles. “And that’s one of the reasons I like you a lot. You weren’t trying to suck up to me for anything. You didn’t talk to me, so you can get my dad to call in some scouting favors for you.”
“People don’t do that do they?” I sit up and face him.
Jared shrugs. “Oh yeah. Freshman year, I got invited to a bunch of senior parties because of my dad being athletic director and the football coach. Trust me, I saw through the bullshit. I knew they were using me.”
I shake my head. “If you liked me so much why did you switch spots in all our classes?”
“Because it’s hard being around someone you like so freaking much and knowing they can’t stand you. It’s even more difficult being partners with that person and being looked at as if you were dirt on that person’s shoe. But the real kicker was every love-gram I sent you, you thought they were from Mark.”
I hang my head in shame. I’m such an idiot. I grab his hand and squeeze it. “I’m sorry.”
“Do you still want to finish this game?”
I am usually great at answering questions, but this is one I’m afraid to answer. The easiest solution is to stay silent, right?
The silence pours between us for what feels like hours, then he clears his throat. “Or we could talk some more?”
I nod.
“Good, I guess I will start. You asked me why I changed my seats, but I think you really want to know is why I didn’t make a move before Mark?”
I say nothing because that’s exactly what I want to know. It’s been burning a hole through my skull not knowing.
“Whenever I got the nerve to ask you out I did something really stupid like dropped my drink on you. And when I botched that up a few times I thought it was for the best. You’ve been to my house. My dad has strict schedules for me and Justin. It wouldn’t be fair if I couldn’t give you the time you deserved, so I backed off.”
“And now?”
He smiles. “I want to try.”
I shake my head. “We can’t. Kimber believes you’re in a relationship with her. Why?”
He groans. “When she got me to take her to that movie I drove her home. She kissed me. I didn’t stop it from happening.”
I back away from him. “We can’t do this then.”
Jared stares up at the ceiling and mutters a curse word. “Okay. I understand.” He meets my gaze. “I think I should go.”
“Did you drive here?”
“Tyler.”
I get up, grab my keys and sigh. “Let’s go.”
“It’s cool. I can get him to take me back.”
I shake my head. “It’s fine. I’ll take you.”
Layla enters my room as I’m sprawled out on the bed. “Did you and Jared have a good time?” she giggles.
“Could you do me a favor and stop trying to set us up. He has something going on with Kimber. I’m not about to go there. She’s my teammate even if I can’t stand her.”
Layla settles on my bed. “They aren’t together Ty would have told me.”
“Apparently, Tyler doesn’t tell you everything,” I say as I prop up on my elbows. “Jared admitted to me that he not only took Kimber to a movie they kissed. Her Facebook stats say she’s in a relationship with him.”
She whips out her phone and starts tapping her thumbs furiously against the screen. “What are you doing?” I ask. With her dyslexia, she uses a voice app, so her texts don’t become so jumbled and unreadable.
“I’m texting Tyler.”
“Wait. Did you already send it? What are you texting him?”
She hands me over her cell.
I cringe as I take the phone from her and read:
Layla: Ahcib haw a gikifbiend! WTD!
Her phone buzzes in my hand.
Tyler: Babe. I have no idea what that said. Call me.
“He said call him.”
“I’m not calling him! I’m furious with him. He should have checked and made sure his friends were completely single. I’m so sorry Juliet. I really am.”
“It’s fine. Please call Tyler. He’s probably going to start freaking out and come over here.”
“And he’ll be greeted with a door to the face.”
I shake my head. Sometimes my sister gets a little hot-tempered. “I told you I’m fine. Honestly. Just don’t bring Jared over anymore.”
She frowns. “I just want you to find your happiness. I thought Jared was the perfect one for you.”
I turn away from her. “Yeah well, looks like that’s not the case. Will you please call … never mind he’s calling you.”
“Don’t answer.”
Too late. I swipe my finger across and say, “Hey Tyler.”
“Juliet. What the hell?”
“Layla is currently ticked off at you. You apparently have been trying to play matchmaker together and messed up. You know your buddy Jared isn’t exactly single there, friend.”
“Shit! Juls I swear he’s not dating anyone. That was some messed up garbage. Is that why he left without telling me?”
“I don’t know.” Layla tries to take the phone from me, but I shove her arm away. “Does he really like me as much as he says he does Tyler? Don’t lie.”
“It’s always been you, Juliet. When Mark dated you, we had to hold Jared back from snapping Mark’s arms or legs. He was pissed and crushed. Then he thought you were happy so as much as he hated the idea of you being with Mark he accepted it. Then the dance happened and let’s just say there is no love loss there.”
His words hit me like bricks to my chest. “Thanks.” I hand the phone to Layla. “Be nice,” I say then I smile at her to let her know I’m okay.
“I can’t believe you didn’t warn me that he kissed Kimber. I could have told you ahead of time that my sister doesn’t break team codes. It creates issues.”
She makes a noise. “Did I say you follow that code? No, I’m glad you don’t. She’s different,” she says into the phone.
“And she’s right here,” I shout.
Layla rolls her eyes and walks out of my room.