Page 85 of I Don't Need Your Love
“Great job, kids,” Coach says when we’re done. “We’ll pick up from here on Monday. Have a great weekend.”
We wish her the same, grab our stuff, and make our way out of the gym. We stop before the girls’ locker room.
“So will I see you at the party?” I ask Carly. “No pressure or anything. Just curious.”
She shrugs. “If my friends want to go.”
“Okay. Later, Captain.”
“Later, Twinkle Toes.”
I whirl around. “What?”
She giggles, then her eyes widen and she covers her mouth. “I have no idea where that came from.”
With a wide smile on my face, I step closer to her. “That was pretty cute. But why the Twinkle Toes?”
She shrugs. “Because you’re a dancer. Why? Don’t you like it?”
“Not sure. Seemscorny.”
She playfully whacks my arm. “Then Twinkle Toes it is.”
I chuckle. “All right, then. I shall take my leave now, my princess.” I bow. “And I may or may not see you tonight. If I don’t, have a great night. And don’t stay cooped up all night working on the routine. Havefun. And that’s an order.”
“Unfortunately for you, the captain doesn’t take orders from her subordinates.”
I lift a brow. “What about from her partner?”
She shakes her head. “I still outrank you.”
“Darn.”
She places her hand on the locker room doorknob. “See you later.”
“See you.”
I turn around and head to the guys’ locker room to change out of my gym clothes. When I emerge, I glance around the area in search of Carly, but don’t see her anywhere. She must have gone to the girls’ dorm.
I have some time before I need to get ready for the party and decide to take a stroll around campus. Many girls pass me and wave and start talking to me. But I’m not really interested in them. Of course I answer their questions because I don’t want to be a jerk, but I’m just not feeling it. Which is weird because I’ve never felt like this before.
The Parker twins grab on my arms. “Will you be at the party tonight?” April asks.
“Youhaveto come,” Avery whines. “Nothing is fun without you there.”
Interesting how I said something similar to Carly less than an hour ago.
“Will you come?” April presses.
I smile at them and the rest of the girls surrounding us. “Of course. I never miss a party.”
They cheer. I expect it to make me feel good like it usually does, but I don’t feel anything. Instead, my eyes roam the area, looking for the redheaded beauty. But she’s not around.
***
“How long does it take you to get ready, man?” Felix groans from behind the bathroom door. “You’re worse than a girl.”
I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I took a shower, changed into what I think is nice clothes that make me look hot, brushed my hair, sprayed some cologne that I heard girls like. I should be good to go. But I’m hesitating.
