Page 12 of New Year

“By some freak coincidence we met over Christmas break,” I answer, hoping she’ll let it drop.

“That is a freak coincidence,” she says. “Did anything, y’know, happen?”

“Of course not,” I say, which is true. Nothing happened between me and Colin, and my blunder with Oliver will go to the grave with me. “Our families both have places at Firefly Lake. We just ran into each other.”

“Oh yeah,” she says. “I forgot that’s where you went over break. They had the most epic party there once. Anyway, do you think he’s cute?”

“Sure, if you’re into cheating bastards.”

“Which you are,” she points out as Chase catches up to us.

“She is what?” he asks.

“Nothing,” I say quickly, squeezing Daria’s arm to shut her up. “We were just talking about watching you guys practice.”

“You’re coming?” he asks, beaming at me.

I walked right into that one, but since I don’t have to work, now I just have to convince Mom. “I’ll stay as long as I can.”

“I’ll catch up with y’all after practice,” he says, holding the door for us before jogging off to change.

“He’s so dreamy,” Daria says, staring off with a faraway look in her eye.

“Shut up.” I elbow her in the ribs. “Speaking of dreamy, why are you so interested in Colin? I thought he was the worst thing that ever happened to you.”

“He is,” she says, twirling around in a complete circle on the balls of her feet with a Cheshire grin on her face. “Which is why I have to show him the whole new fabulous me who doesn’t care the teensiest bit about him.”

“Are you sure you want to do that?”

“Course I’m sure. We’re going out after practice. Which means you have to stick around in case I need you to talk me up.”

“At your service,” I say, laughing. “I’ll be your wingman anytime—until Mom comes to find her escaped convict.”

“Lame.”

She starts to head for the other cheerleaders who are gathering on the far side of the gym, but I snag her arm and lower my voice. “Hey, what’s up with Lindsey?”

“She said she’d be back tomorrow.”

“You talked to her?”

“Yeah, she texted earlier.” She waves and jogs over to the girls, her ponytail swinging.

I’m sitting on the small section of bleachers that have been pulled out, chewing on a nail and obsessing about why Lindsey isn’t talking to me, when one of the Finnegans slides onto the bench seat beside me.

“Hey, pretty girl,” he says, giving me a sexy, devilish smile that shows his chipped tooth and gives away which one it is. “Are you stalking me?”

“Oh, um,no,” I manage, flustered when he fixes his naughty gaze on me. I’ve heard the expression ‘undressing someone with his eyes,’ but I’d never actually seen that expression on someone’s face before I met Colin.

“You sure about that?” he asks, cocking his head to see my face, which is growing hotter by the second. Before I can answer he leans towards me, looking up into my eyes from under his thick black lashes. “Because I wouldn’t complain.”

“You told us you were in college,” I accuse.

“So did you,” he points out with an easy grin.

“My cousin’s going to feel like a total pervert.”

He shrugs. “So don’t tell her.”

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