Page 29 of Kiss Collector
My eyes move back toward the ordering counter where they roam over Dean’s form. Over his defensive linebacker body that makes my average height feel petite. Over his square jaw, which is a manly contrast to his dimpled cheeks. Over his light-brown eyes and wavy brown hair. And those lips. Perfectly formed. Nice teeth, too. I even thought he was cute back in the day when he had braces.
I’m going to kiss him. That will prove to him just how much I’m not falling for Rex Morino. At some point soon, Dean Prescott’s lips will be mine.
Chapter Twelve
In the mall parking lot, I pull out right behind Kyle, who has the top off his Jeep, even though it’s not quite warm enough for that yet. His vehicle is full of guys who need to put their seat belts on. Kenzie opens my sunroof, and she and Lin stick their torsos through, calling out to them.
“Hiiiii, Kyyyyyle!” they sing simultaneously. Kyle holds up a fist and the other guys stand, turning around to face the van. They’re all banging their chests like Tarzan, and my friends are laughing uproariously.
Zebby hollers from the back, “What is wrong with you people?”
Monica is falling over in the middle seat, and I can’t help but join the laughter. Then Kyle tries to show off by gunning his engine and flying up on a grassy median. I gasp as the guysbarely grab hold to keep from falling out.
“Y’all sit down!” I grab Lin and pull. “They almost died!”
“They did not!” Kenzie says with laughter, but she gets back in. Her cheeks are tinted from the wind.
As Kyle continues his off-roading adventure through the mall parking lot, I see lights flashing behind us, and I yank the van to the side. A mall cop zooms past me and gets near the curb, yelling on his speaker for Kyle to stop and pull over. We drive past them, and the five of us cannot stop laughing at the look of dread on Kyle’s face, and how the other three guys are scrambling to get their seat belts on. I can’t wait to make fun of them at the baseball party tomorrow. We’re dying the whole way home as I drop the girls off.
It’s weird how Zeb’s mirth and mine completely dissolve when we enter the apartment. The place is soul sucking, with its lack of space and character. Not to mention the random boxes still sitting around.
Zeb immediately goes to the couch, and my shoulders slump. This will never be home.
Monica’s staring at her phone as we get ready in Kenzie’s frilly room. It’s been decorated in mauve and eyelet lace since forever. “Holy crap, Rex Morino just started following me, so I followed him back, and he freaking immediately messaged me to ask for your number!”
“Don’t give it to him!” I say, swiping blush over my cheek as Monica works on French braiding my hair down both sides.
“I won’t. Jeez, you’re really doing a number on his ego. It’s like he can’t believe any girl wouldn’t want to be with him.”
Kenzie claps her hands in glee. “This is so awesome!”
“It’s just the thrill of the chase,” I say, not sharing her amusement. “Boys want what they can’t have, and what theydohave is never good enough.” My sad attitude puts a damper on our pregame excitement, and I feel bad. I used to be all positive, all the time. But that was the me who let herself get hurt.
“Alright, then,” Kenzie says. She turns on the radio to a country station and pulls a pair of bona fide cowgirl boots out of her closet. Pointy toes, one-inch heels, brown leather with embellishment designs around the edges. She pulls a matching cowgirl hat from an upper shelf and puts it on. With her hair jutting out, snug jeans, and a pink-and-white checkered shirt, this girl needs to be in a music video.
Lin lets out a “Yee-haw!” and I say, “Well, howdy, little lady.”
Monica makes her spin for us. “Where have you been hiding this stuff?”
“My grandma got it for me when I went to San Antonio at Christmas.” Kenz admires the boots on her feet. “It’s only the second time I’ve worn them.”
I put a hand on my hip. “Exactly how long have you been a closet country girl?”
She rolls her eyes. “It’s all my mom listens to, and it sort of grows on you. I know y’all aren’t into it, but I’m hoping we can have fun anyway.”
Honestly, I don’t care where we’re going or what kind of music will be playing. I’m just glad to be with my girls, hunting guys, collecting kisses.
My French braids are complete, and my red, glossy lipsmatch the red-and-black-plaid shirt I’m wearing with leggings.
“I feel like a lumberjack,” I say, looking down.
“You’re a hot lumber Jill,” Kenzie assures me. “Just own it.”
Monica sticks the leopard-print cowgirl hat on her head, and it complements her dark eye makeup perfectly. Lin’s shiny black pigtails hang over her shoulders, her jean skirt hugs her hips, and her ankle boots are rocking. Kenzie smiles at what she’s created. We’re ready to go.
Chapter Thirteen
Sunday Night
