Page 6 of Love, A Curvy Girl's Guide

Casey stiffened, confusion written across his features. “What’s your problem, man? You knew I was taking Haley to prom. Hell, you suggested it.”

Haley’s stomach dropped, the air sucked out of her lungs. “You suggested it?”

Ian’s glare never wavered, though Casey shot her a guilty look. “I know I said we were going as friends, Hales, and I wanted to take you. But, yeah... Ian gave me the idea.”

Haley shook her head, feeling her cheeks flush with anger. “Did he tell you to try to fuck me in the back seat, too? Is that where all that nonsense came from?”

Casey’s face went white. “No! No, Haley, that wasn’t… I mean, I did ask, but I wouldn’t have really… I just… Shit, I was drunk…”

He didn’t get to finish his pathetic excuse because Ian’s fist shot out, landing squarely on Casey’s jaw. Casey crumpled to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

Haley gasped, stepping back as Ian turned his gaze on her, fierce and unyielding.

“What the hell is your problem?” she hissed, crossing her arms over her chest to hide the tremor running through her. “Did you think he was just going to… to sleep with me because you suggested it?”

Ian’s eyes narrowed, his voice low and dark. “I didn’t think he'd try anything. Shit, we've been friends since sophomore year. Casey knew better than to make a move on you. I sure as hell didn't think he'd try to... What a fucking mess. He didn't force himself on you, did he?”

Haley sank to her knees beside Casey. “What did you do?”

“He deserves a lot worse,” Ian growled, his hand flexing from the hit.

“No, he doesn’t,” she scoffed, struggling to keep her voice steady. “Of course, Casey didn't force himself on me. He was all riled up about some bet you idiots have going on the football team. If you didn't expect him to at least try to win the bet, why did you tell him to take me? Is this some twisted little test to see if I’d fall for him? Because I'm not good enough for one of your friends, right? Screw you.”

“You think I need to test you? That I would put you, of all people, in that position?” His voice was bitter, his gaze piercing. “I already know exactly what you think of me, Haley. Always have.”

The accusation stung more than she wanted to admit. She was furious, humiliated, and a little confused. But she wasn’t about to let him win this round. “Yeah? Well, I think you should take a good look in the mirror, Ian. Maybe then you’d understand why I can't trust you.”

For a second, she thought he’d snap back. Instead, he shook his head, a faint, humorless smile crossing his lips. “Go inside, Haley. I’ll deal with Casey. Oh... and for the record, it's notabout you being good enough for them. Keep this asshat off your porch.”

Haley rose to her feet, turning her back on him. She stalked up the porch stairs and into the house. If Ian Johnson thought he could play puppet master with her life, he was dead wrong. He’d just made an enemy he’d never see coming.

THREE

State College

Prom night, Haley could never have imagined that just two years out of high school, she’d find herself offering the first ceasefire in their tumultuous relationship. Of course, the chemistry between them had always been volatile, so it only made sense that it would take her helping Ian pass his actual chemistry class to soften her heart.

As far as Haley had been concerned, their separate lives past that point were a blessing, a sign that the universe occasionally got tired of screwing people over. She was neck-deep in her pharmacy program at State College, while Ian, from what she’d heard, had landed a spot as a wide receiver on the football team. He had an athlete’s body, all long limbs and muscles. He was wicked fast and graceful enough that he could have been a dancer if he’d wanted to go that route.

She was proud of both of them. Many kids had started at State College with them, but they'd dropped out for one reason or another. Their town wasn’t the richest or the fanciest, but an education usually meant the difference between living paycheck to paycheck and having a good-paying job. Not that she waswilling to share that with anyone—least of all Ian. She’d rarely even glimpsed him on campus, which was fine with her.

However, karma had other plans. When Professor Stubbs asked her to be his PA, Haley had been horrified and secretly intrigued by the honor. It was a great resume builder—if only it didn’t involve interacting with Ian Johnson.

“Haley, could you tutor one of my athletes? He’s in danger of failing, and the team can’t lose him this season,” Stubbs had said, oblivious to her hesitation.

After much internal groaning and a healthy dose of pride-swallowing, Haley had agreed. Ian’s future, not to mention the team’s championship, seemed to rest in her hands. She just hoped he wouldn’t make it unbearable.

An hour later, as Haley eyed Ian studying at the library, she’d wondered if this tutoring project had been a mistake. Every time she was around him, her body went haywire. It wasn’t comfortable, and in retaliation, she often got snippy. Taking a deep breath, she decided it was now or never.

“You know, if you keep glaring at the molecules like that, they might rearrange themselves out of sheer terror.”

Ian looked up, narrowing his eyes when he saw her. “Haley. Didn’t realize my chemistry book came with a side of unsolicited bullshit.”

“Oh, it’s a freebie,” she said, crossing her arms. “Consider it a perk. Now, will you let me help you, or are you planning to miss the big game?”

He rolled his eyes. “Why would you want to help me?”

She gave him a long-suffering look. “Because, unlike you, I do have a heart. Professor Stubbs seems to think that the school needs this championship win, and football needs you, so that brings us to the cold, hard facts. You need me.”

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