Page 9 of His Daring Girl

I shake my head, touching the smooth leather of an old copy ofPride and Prejudice. That’s one of my favorites.

“Cassie’s done stuff for years.” I shrug, realizing he’s still watching me. “I’m used to it.” Every one of his mother’s shelves is a different theme. She even has an entire shelf dedicated to books with Fabio on the cover.

“What do you mean she’s done stuff for years?”

He’s closer now. I can feel him at my back. A charge of heat penetrating through my shirt. My heart rate is kicking up faster.I glance over my shoulder, surprised by his question. “You dated the girl for a year, Chase. Are you saying you never once heard her call me names or see her trip me in the hall? Knock the books out of my hands and make me go chasing them on my knees? I’m surprised she didn’t brag to you about all the pranks she pulled to get me into trouble. She’s never liked me, Chase. But her attacks had stopped for a bit. I thought she was done with me, but I was wrong.”

I look back at the shelves, running my eyes up. His mom is a collector of discreet covers too.

He comes around to stand in front of me, and my path is blocked.

“She’s been doing this all throughout high school?” He looks shocked and sounds upset. I don’t understand how he missed it all. How he never noticed his girlfriend lashing out.

“It’s been going on since the first grade.”

“First grade?” His blue eyes are almost black, like his pupils are a mood ring. When he’s happy and laughing, they’re as bright as a clear sky. When he’s studying in class, they’re almost gray like a storm cloud. Right now, they’re like a dark ocean tide crashing in with intensity and eroding my nerves. “She’s going to pay, Ruby. I promise she will pay for every mean thing she ever did to you.”

It’s sweet of him to want to stick up for me, but the damage is done. Everyone at school knows me as the saggy tits loser. No one’s going to suddenly change their opinion. Chase and Kyler may have invited me to this party, but I know it was only by proxy of Presley. If she hadn’t shown up, they never would’ve looked in my direction. I’d still be sitting in my lone corner, praying that Cassie would leave me alone.

I turn and cross the room, going to the other set of books. These all look like special editions. I pull one out to see the edges, wanting to know if they’re sprayed. The fact thatthe woman who runs this huge house loves dark romance is seriously cool. It would be so fun to talk to her about these books.

“You know,” he says, hovering at my side again, “Cassie always called me a dumb jock. It was why I got testy with you when you offered to help tutor me. I don’t want people thinking I’m stupid.”

I look up, shocked to see the insecurity that I hear in his voice.

“I don’t think you’re stupid, Chase. You’re so funny and witty. You can make the whole class laugh. And your talent on the football field is beyond impressive. Just because you may struggle in some subjects doesn’t mean you’re dumb. Please don’t take anything Cassie said to heart. She’s really not a nice person.”

It’s shocking to hear that Cassie even ridiculed him. He and Kyler are the most popular guys in school. I guess mean just runs in her blood.

“I’ll make you a deal, Ruby.” He turns me to face him. “I won’t let anything she said go to my head if you promise me it won’t go to yours.”

That’s a nice thought. But twelve years of it being ingrained, and I think that ship has sailed. My head is full of Cassie’s nasty comments, and it’s hard not to believe them when they’re beaten into you on the weekly. It’s sweet of him to say though.

“I will do my best.” I nod.

“No.” He shakes his head, bracing my hips. A rush of excitement washes over me and the butterflies stir like crazy. “If she says anything to you again, you’re going to tell me, Ruby. I’m not going to let her hurt you anymore.”

I’m too nervous to even speak. Chase is touching me. Not only that, but he wants to protect me. And it feels like he’s goingto kiss me again. His eyes are staring at my mouth. I’m not sure if he’s leaning down or if I’m the one moving closer.

When the sound of laughter draws near, he pulls away, putting space between us. I feel a hint of rejection, knowing he didn’t want to be seen so close to me.

“Chase! Here you are. We’ve been looking for you.” Mindy’s voice has all those warm tingly feelings icing over. She’s Cassie’s best friend and has always been just as evil. “We want you to play spin the bottle with us.Iwant you to play with us,” she corrects. I turn as she and a group of the cool kids have decided to burst the happy little bubble I was in. One look at me, and Mindy’s smile turns into a snarl. But when she looks back at Chase, her cheeks are all smoothed out again. “Will you play with us?”

I go to leave, but Chase’s voice stops me. “Don’t go, Ruby.”

“Yeah, don’t leave. You should join us,” Taya says, sounding as if she genuinely wants me there, but when I look over my shoulder, I don’t feel any good intention behind her invitation.

“Oh, no thanks. You guys have fun.” I shake my head.

“Come on. I dare you to,” Mindy says.

All the more reason for me to leave, but when Chase steps up to me again, I can’t get my feet to move.

“It will be fun, Ruby. Besides, if you land on someone you don’t want to kiss, you just pass and answer a question. What do you say? You can’t graduate without ever having played spin the bottle.”

My gut is telling me to walk away, but he’s right. This feels like another high school rite of passage, and I don’t want to be a chicken. But it’s not just that. The look Chase is giving me, it’s like he really wants me to play, and that is why I stupidly agree.

“Okay.” I nod.

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