I frown at the walls of my bedroom. Scott painted it for me. Derek is good at many things, namely sports and tanning, but he does not have an eye for color. I'd barely paid attention when he chose, wanting the excuse to return and get more paint. But I hadn't realized how bad it was. It's way too dark, not bold at all. I have no desire for a navy blue room. Navy isn't fun. Navy isn't sexy. I wonder if Derek even paid attention to the color he picked. He seemed awfully intent on my chest area. Which was the point. I just wish I hadn't had Scott paint the whole thing. It looked brighter before it dried.

I checked Facebook and Derek is working again today. He really likes people knowing where he is. Or his job is so boring he spends a lot of time on social media. Not that I should judge. I'm addicted to it all and I've been stalking him like a crazy person.

I dress in a similar fashion as last time since it clearly worked so well on him. It's a pain loading up the paint to return by myself, but I don't want to take Scott this time. It's not fair to make him drive me around and wait for me when he has finals to study for. And especially when he isn't getting any from it either.

I stop for an iced coffee on the way. I stayed up way too late last night, paint fumes and fantasies mixing to keep sleep at a distance. I finish it off by the time I return the paint at the customer service lane. After I drop the paint off, I head out to look for my target.

Derek is in the paint section again. He smiles and hugs me when I approach him. "Need more paint?" he asks.

I look up at him and nod. "Yeah. I decided I wanted something a little brighter. It just wasn't quite right. A little too dark."

"All right. Do you know what you want?"

I stare at him a second, taking him in. Yes, yes I do. Man, this dude can fill out a shirt. I've never been so horny for Thor type muscles before, other than on Chris Hemsworth, of course. I'm not dead. But Derek has a very similar build and damn it is sexy.

At his questioning look, I shake off my lust and show him one of the paint samples I'd held up against my wall and loved. I shove away the thought that it's the same shade as Scott's eyes. Just a coincidence.

He bobs his head in a nod. "I like it. What does Adam think?"

Ah. Awkward. "We aren't together anymore."

"I'm sorry, Amanda."

I wave a careless hand. "Don't be. It's the best thing that's ever happened to me." A better thing would have been never dating the jackass, but here we are.

A smile spreads across his mouth. "Man, I've waited years to hear you say that."

My shock is completely real, I'm completely floored. "Uh, what?" We never said two words to each other in high school.

He chuckles. "Yeah, I always had a crush on you, but you were always with him. I mean, I'm sorry, it sucks it didn't work out, but I'm still sort of glad to hear it. He was kind of a douche."

I'm irrationally angry. How much more could Adam take from me? Not that Derek was someone I want to end up with, but still. If I'd been with Derek instead, I'd probably have way less regrets.

"I had a crush on you too. But we hardly ever spoke, so I had no idea. And you're also right about him being a douche."

"I wish I had known. We could have had some fun times together. You were so hot, hell, everyone wanted you. Adam was the lucky sucker who won."

That rubs me a little the wrong way. Adam won? Did he know any of this? Did Scott? Was I some part of a freaky high school pool? Was I just a prize Adam won? And he finally got tired of playing the game I didn't know I was a part of?

Derek seems to realize how his words sounded. Or maybe sees the look on my face. "No, no, no. We didn't have any kind of teen drama movie thing cooked up. It was just...there were several guys in school who were bummed when you and Adam got together. We were jealous."

I nod. "I get it." It was still probably a game for Adam. The jackass was all about status. But who knew I was so popular and desired back then? I seriously had no idea. I was busy with school and Adam and Scott. It was probably just because I filled out fast and big in the chest area.

He gnaws on his lip, worry wrinkling his brow. "Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

I shake everything off. I'm here for fun, not more blows to the heart. "You didn't. I'm just surprised is all."

He looks truly regretful. An emotion I've become very well acquainted with. "Well, it's my own fault for not asking you out sooner."

I step close and look up at him, so close I can feel the heat from his gorgeous body. So close I can smell him. So close my breasts brush against his chest with each of my breaths. "You know, you could always ask me out now."

He winces, temptation and desire shining in his green eyes. "I could, but I have to be honest with you. I'm not looking for a relationship. Too much of my life is up in the air right now and I have to make the decisions for me, not for someone else."

I cock my head to the side and grin. "Funny, I'm not looking for one either. For basically the same reasons. I just want to have a good time." I'm relieved, because I don't want to encourage feelings. I have no interest in getting back into something serious anytime soon. Especially with someone I know is completely wrong for me.

He purses his lips in thought before answering. "I hear you. And I could use a good time."

"So could I. I may not want a relationship, but I'm not a nun either." I've thrown down all my cards. There's a time for subtle, and this isn't one of those times.

His relieved smile matches my own feelings on the matter. He raises a brow. "So, you wanna go to the drive-in tonight?"

That song from Grease pops into my head, and I bite back a giggle. "I'd love to. You can pick me up at eight."

We talk about high school and what everyone is doing while he mixes my paint for me. He carts it all out for me again and loads it into my car.

He hands me his phone. "Put your number in here and I'll call for directions before I come pick you up."

I take it and input my number in his phone and send myself a text so I'll have his as well.

I brush a kiss against his cheek. "Thanks. I'll text you my address."

His face turns a little red. "No problem. See you tonight."

I bite my lip as I watch him walk away. This is happening.