Page 60 of Bad Kind of Love

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Wes

Something was off with Becca.

I was normally good at reading her, but this time was different. She continued to go on like nothing was wrong, smiling, laughing and even cracking jokes with me. Her once bright green eyes were now a gloomy shade, but every time they connected with mine, I lost all ability to breathe.

Even if they had lost their sparkle.

Perched in a booth, I watched from afar as Becca carried over a plastic cup in her hands and sipped from the straw. She carried herself strongly, but her eyes were casted downward almost like she knew I was staring.

“Take a picture, it’ll last longer.” She smiled jokingly as she took the seat across from me. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail while her blonde bangs hung perfectly over her forehead. Her face was free of makeup, and of course she had her chunky headphones snaked around her neck.

“Maybe I will.” I teased, leaning back and resting my arm on top of the backrest. “You gonna tell me what's wrong?”

I was a patient person... it was a good quality to have. But when it came to Becca, I lost any sense of being patient.

“I’ve told you before, I’m fine.” She kept her eyes down as she cradled her cup. “My mom, school, and my dad getting out of prison soon... I’m just stressed out.”

I believed she was stressed, because hell, I was stressed too. But there was something else she was hiding, and I couldn’t help but feel at fault.

Maybe it was our kiss?

That night I was eager to feel her lips on mine and when I finally couldn’t hold it in any longer, I gave in. We moved perfectly, matching one another’s tempo like we were made for each other.

Everything she was giving, I was greedily taking.

Her taste was heavenly, like fresh picked strawberries and vanilla, something I couldn’t get enough of. But soon, the moment was ruined, leaving a damper on the night and the memory of our first kiss.

Thanks to my dad's interruption.

She pretended she didn’t care, but I knew she did. And eventually, I was going to make it up to her.

“I just hate seeing you sad.” I admit leaning over the table. “I wanna be the guy that makes you smile.”

Her eyes soften as she pushes her drink aside.

“You do make me smile Wes, more than I thought possible.” She half grins, making her beautiful face light up with half a smile.

I stare for a bit longer than I should, lingering over the lips I’ve tasted and struggling not to climb over this table and take them again. She seems to notice my staring and her face instantly heats.

“I.. I thought maybe this weekend we could hang out? Go see a movie or something?” She fidgets in her seat as her eyes can't seem to make direct contact with me.

Groaning, I inwardly curse wishing I could cancel my plans for this weekend. “I, uh, am actually visiting SC this weekend. Flying out there and checking out the campus.”

“Oh.” Her face drops, but she immediately fixes it. “That, that’s great. Is your dad going with you?”

“No. Hunter Tellman from the team is though. So we're going there together.”

Every time we brought up college, it just reminded us that eventually we’d be going our separate ways. That’s why we never brought it up, but graduation was closing in on us, and soon we’d have to talk about it.

A conversation I wasn’t looking forward to at all.

“That’ll be awesome.” She smiles, but her sad tone told a different story.

“Yeah.” I nod. “When I get back, I’ll take you on a proper date.”

A proper date.

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