Page 13 of His Daring Girl

“What did you want?” I swallow down my nerves, trying to pull myself together.

“You,” he breathes. I look down at his mouth, confused again by his answer. His Adam’s apple bobs before he elaborates. “I was hoping you could still tutor me after school today.”

Tutor him? That’s what he wants from me. Got it. See, for a second there I almost thought he desired me, but he just wants my brains to help him pass the class.

“I don’t really think it’s a good idea, Chase.”

“Please, Ruby. I’m struggling here, babe.”

My mind is playing tricks on me again, trying to read more into his words. He’s struggling with calculus. What he said about Cassie calling him a dumb jock has worked itself under his skin. Left the mark of an insecurity. And if he fails the class, he’ll prove to himself that she was right. I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want Cassie to win.

“Okay, Chase. I’ll help you.”

The look of relief settles into his features, but his eyes grow darker, narrowing in on my lips. I need someone to tutor me on the ways of boys. I don’t understand them at all.

“So, my place after school?”

I shake my head. There’s no way I’m going to his house. I don’t need the reminder of how I made a complete fool of myself.

“How about you come to my house instead?” That’s a safe neutral zone.

“Can you text me your address?”

I nod, taking out my phone and then he rattles off his number. As soon as my text goes through, he smiles. His fingers tap away on his screen, and then my phone is buzzing in my hand.

Chase:I can’t wait. Btw, your glasses make you look like a sexy librarian.

My cheeks feel like they’ve caught on fire as I read his message. I tuck my phone back in my bag and then get myself situated for class. Thankfully, Presley takes her seat next to me and I no longer have to be alone with my confusion. Nothing seems to be computing right now other than the butterflies in my stomach.

CHAPTER 10

Chase

I’ve never been so excited to do homework in my life.

“Ijust called it quits with Taya,” Baylor says, as he joins our circle. “She wasn’t too happy about it.”

I look across the parking lot at the girls: Cassie and her two bitchy sidekicks. They’re all huddled in a circle, looking in full gossip mode. Taya no doubt telling the other two about her breakup. Serves her right. Baylor wasn’t happy with the way the girls acted either. I think we all got to see their true colors, and none of us liked the shade of mean they were all wearing.

“‘Bout time,” I say. “That girl was a drain on your personality every time we all hung out.” Taya nagged Baylor about everything. If a girl even looked in Baylor’s direction, she’d accuse him of flirting with her. He spent so much time focused on making her secure that it became a drag having her out withus. But now I’m seeing that my friends felt the same about Cassie and me.

“Yeah, I should’ve ended things sooner.” Baylor nods. “But the girl knew how to drain me dry, if you know what I mean.”

Ryeson shakes his head. “You guys should try finding someone that you actually have fun with to suck your dick and quit wasting time on these shallow bitches.”

He’s right about that. All these years, I’ve been looking in all the wrong places. When hiding right under a book is the sexiest girl I’ve ever seen. Ruby was dressed in her baggy rags today, but I know exactly what she’s got hiding underneath, and I also know that hidden under all that shyness is a girl who’s desperate for some physical attention. She told me to come over in an hour for tutoring, but I think I’m showing up to her place early. I can’t wait to be alone with her. See if I can uncover more about the mysterious little cutie.

“But you guys are the ones I have fun with,” Baylor says. “If I could only find a girl like you, I’d have the perfect life.” He turns to his buddy with a smirk on his face. “You want to suck my dick, Rye?” His brow wiggles in jest, and I bust out laughing, but Ryeson isn’t amused.

“You ready to go, fucker?” Rye points him with a look. He turns, tipping his head at me. “Later, man.”

Baylor chuckles, shaking his head as he watches him walk away.

“Damn, he’s testy. All right, gotta catch my ride. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I watch Bay follow after an annoyed Ryeson. I think he’s getting tired of being the brunt of Baylor’s jokes. He needs to lighten up. It’s all just fun and games.

“I heard about what happened on Friday night, Chase.” I turn to the sound of Cassie’s grating voice, cracking my neck. “You think what I did to Ruby in the cafeteria was cruel, but making afool out of her in front of everyone at your party was way worse. Looks like we’re not that different after all.”

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