Page 7 of Take 2
“Is that what you want to do?”
“Mhmm.” Admitting this feels a lot like saying I believe in unicorns. It’s kind of a long shot.
“It’ll be cool to see a name I know in movie credits someday.”
His quick acceptance that my dream will be reality pushes the chill out of my bones. Even a professor who applauded my talent told me not to get my hopes up about Hollywood. Not that a stranger who doesn’t know anything about it or me should outweigh that, but I appreciate the optimism.
“Hey,” he says, “this is kind of bold to ask, but—”
“Bella, what the fuck?” Cece’s heels clack against the concrete as she stomps over to us. “I had to take your shot.”
I roll my eyes and swallow the lump that was building atbold to ask. “You poor thing. I really hope you can forgive me someday.”
“Do I need to save you from this guy?” She points at Ryan but keeps her eyes on me.
“Um, I don’t think so?” I glance at him, and Cece turns to face him too.
“Oh, he’s super hot.”
My eyes widen. “And your filter is broken.”
She turns back to me. “That doesn’t mean you don’t need to be saved.”
“You are correct. I don’t need to be saved because he seems not to be an axe murderer.”
“I’m Ryan, nice to meet you.”
Cece shakes his hand but keeps her eyes narrowed. “Okay, Ryan. I’m going inside because I’m not dressed to be outside. But I will be watching you.”
“I’m sure you’d get to me before I can go get my axe from the car.”
“I would.” She turns to me. “I don’t give a shit about hurting his feelings. Do you really want me to leave you out here?”
“I want you to go drink water, and I’ll catch up with you in just a minute.”
“Fine.” She points to her eyes and then to Ryan as she backs toward the door.
“She’s fun,” Ryan says.
“And now you know you did not pick the least awkward spot on the patio.”
“I picked a great spot.” His smile makes my stomach do stupid things. “So, what I was going to ask you”—my heart is doing stupid things now too—“do you think you could help me with English?”Oh.“I have a paper I’m working on, and it’s hell. The people who volunteer to do tutoring act like jocks are morons. I’d totally owe you.”
It’s such an obvious reason for him to be talking to me that the lump in my throat and butterflies and speeding heart all seem really,really,dumb now. “Oh, uh, yeah. Sure. I’d love to help.”
“Thank you.” He pulls his phone from his back pocket. “What’s your number?”
My heart is still being stupid as I give it to him. Because giving Hot Football Player Ryan my phone number is still kind of insane, even if it’s for academic purposes. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I grab it, flashing him the screen. “This is you, I guess?”
“Yep. Are you free tomorrow night?” He ends the call and puts his phone away.
“Wow, you waste no time.”
“Or I’ve already wasted a ton of time and need to catch up. I bet you never do that.”
Isn’t it illegal to irresponsibly wield a smirk like his?
“Nerds procrastinate too, thank you very much. But tomorrow is a holiday.”
