Page 17 of This Means War

Chapter 13

Lydia

When I toldCole we’d figure out a date tomorrow, I meant he should text or call me. I did not expect him to show up to my track and field practice. And yet there he is, leaning against the fence around the track as I run my girls through some cool down exercises, all the while pretending I don’t see him. Apparently my pretending needs some work, though, because as we move into a quad stretch one of the girls calls out so loudly that I’m sure he hears, “Hey, Coach, who’s that guy you keep checking out?”

Even if he didn’t hear her, about twenty heads swivel in his direction at her words, so he definitely knows he’s being talked about.

“That is no one,” I say briskly, clapping my hands to try and reign in their attention. “Ladies–” I begin, but another girl pipes up and then they’re all talking over one another.

“He’s cute, Coach!”

“Ohhh, he’s coming over!”

“Is he your boyfriend?”

“I thought you were dating Coach Small.” This last one is uttered just as Cole closes in on our little circle.

“Coach Small?” His brow raises, and even though I’ve done nothing wrong and therefore have nothing to hide, I blush.

“Coach Small and I are just friends,” I tell my team.

“He’s cuter than Coach Small anyway,” my shot-putter Ella announces, putting a ridiculously cocky grin on Cole’s face.

“Oh, I don’t know,” I put my hand on my hip, ready to knock that smarmy grin right off his face, “I think Coach Small is pretty hot.”

“Wow, thanks,” Elliot himself speaks from behind me, and I turn to see he’s joined us. Out of the corner of my eye I spot the boys’ team leaving the track after their own practice. “Does that mean you’ll reconsider my invitation to dinner?”

“Oooh,” my whole team chimes in with this sound effect. I feel a blush come to my cheeks and am extremely aware of Cole’s eyes boring into me.

“Coach Small, was it?” Cole cuts in before I can formulate a response. He closes the gap between us and slips his hand around my waist. Knowing that I need the school to buy the whole “whirlwind romance” story I’ll be selling, I don’t shove it off. But boy do I want to. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I’ve actually taken Lydia here off the market.” He smiles at Elliot, who’s looking quite taken aback.

“Oh, are you two dating?” He gestures betweenus.

“Nope.” Cole’s smile grows even wider. “We’re married.” Then, with twenty pre-teens and one ex-suitor watching, Cole pulls me in for a kiss. At first I’m so startled that I don’t push him away; and then, when my brain finally catches up to what’s happening, I find I don’t want to push him away. I would never tell Cole this, would in fact go to my death bed swearing it wasn’t true, but, wow, can he kiss! His mouth moves across mine with complete confidence, like he knows exactly the pace and pressure needed to make heat blaze through me. And blaze through me it does, settling low in my belly and keeping me fully invested in this kiss. It’s only when I hear giggling that I come back to my full senses and force myself to push him away.

Now that his lips are no longer distracting me, I’m furious. In the distance I see Elliot walking away. All my girls are gaping at us. I’m going to hear from parents; you can bet on that.

“Cole,” I hiss, “that was totally inappropriate.”

“Sorry,” he says with a shrug, but he doesn’t look it. He looks smug and completely pleased with himself.

I need to do some damage control quickly. “Okay, girls.” I face them, pasting a chipper smile on my beet-red face. “We’re all done for the day. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“But, Coach!” It’s Tisha again. “You got married, and you didn’t tell us?!”

I grit my teeth. Idiotic Cole. He only kissed meto bother Elliot, and now I’m the one that’s going to have to deal with the consequences. “Yes, well, it was sort of a spur of the moment decision.” I fumble around. “Anyhow, I’m sure your parents are all waiting. Better go. No need to mention this to them, by the way. I’ll be telling them about my marriage soon enough, and I wouldn’t want you to spoil the surprise.” My voice goes up to the octave of crazy on that last word.

Finally, the girls start to drift off the track, though they’re clearly all talking about me as they go, and they keep darting glances in our direction.

“Cole!” I whirl on him. “What the heck was that?”

“What?” He shrugs. “Did you expect me not to say something when some guy is asking you out? We are getting married, aren’t we? You can’t just not tell the people at your school. Besides, why would you think I’d be okay with you seeing other people after you made such a big deal about me not seeing other people?”

I cross my arms across my chest, annoyed with his logic. “Fine,” I seethe, “maybe you had to say something, but you definitely didn’t have to kiss me.”

“Oh c’mon,” he steps closer and says in a low voice, “don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy that?”

“Ugh!” I’m about to shove him in the shoulder, but then I remember how much I like his shoulders, and let my hand fall to my side. I’m supposed to be proving how I amsonot attracted to him, not accidentally running my hands over his body. “Youthink you’re such hot stuff, Cole Jacobson, but I can totally resist you.”

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