Page 14 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

“Because that’s what everyone calls us.” Nick had another weird look on his face. I would be very glad when this puberty thing with boys was over, because the continued testosterone war between the guys in our class was beginning to drive me crazy.

“Well, then you need to stop them.” I pulled on his arm to get him out of earshot.

“Why me?”

“Because you’re the man, and you have to protect my honor,” I whispered loudly.

“I think your father has been reading too many fairytales to you. That’s old-fashioned.”

“Maybe sometimes girls like it when you’re old-fashioned.”

This time it was Nick who pulled on my arm, lowering his voice to a whisper. “Did he try to kiss you?”

I made a grossed out face. “No, he didn’t. Why would you even ask that?”

If the ‘becoming a teacher’ dream didn’t work out, I could always be an actress. And the only reason teaching was a dream was because my first grade teacher had praised me for my patience and good habits. She’d said I would make an amazing teacher.

“Because Andrew said that Carter said he was going to try to kiss you on this camping trip. I tried to find you two, but you were gone.”

By this time we’d reached the outer edge of the campground and were slowly walking away. There was no way that I wanted anyone to hear one of our crazy conversations. Enough people already thought my relationship with Nick was odd because we lived adjacent to each other, and I didn’t need any new stares or rumors flying around our school. And there was no way that I wanted Carter to hear the wordkissingout of my or Nick’s mouths for at least the remainder of our high school careers.

Somewhere along the way, Nick had grabbed another basket. I took hold of the other handle and we walked a few steps into the woods, picking up more sticks for the fire.

“You know, I’m disappointed that you think I couldn’t handle myself,” I said.

Okay, maybe I was pushing this, but I had backed away when Carter kissed me. And I’d given him a good dose of Jo’s medicine, I was sure, which included a stern warning about how to treat women.

“I know you can handle yourself. But you never know with guys.”

“What do you mean, you never know with guys?”

“They always have a hidden agenda.”

“Do you?” I asked.

“No, of course not.”

Why did I get the feeling that he wasn’t being truthful?

“So, see any birds’ nests today?” I picked up a handful of twigs.

“One. It had fledglings. Daisy was really excited about it. She said being here made her feel alive.”

I was excited to be here as well, yet Nick didn’t seem to care.

“You know she has the hots for you, right?” I bit my lip, wondering to myself what kind of answer I wanted to hear from him.

“She does? So, what do you think I should do?”

Not that one.“Nothing. Ignore her.” I shrugged

“Why?” He bent over and grabbed a few of the larger pieces of dried wood.

“Because she’s not right for you. She’s been trying to get your attention for years, but you don’t like clingy girls.”

“How do you know that?”

“I just do. She’s not your type.”

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