Page 49 of The Second Kiss
I turn to face him. “Gage?”
“Yeah?”
“Shut up.”
“Okay, sorry.” He turns his attention back to the road, but he doesn’t move his hand. He’s trying to look repentant, but he’s smiling like he’s already won me over.
He’s good at this game. He’s like a little boy who’s too cute to get into trouble, too cute to be punished. After being alone with him for ten minutes, I can’t decide whether I want to kiss him or kick him out of the car. Maybe it’s just the family resemblance.
I was wrong about my friends having dates. Taryn is with one of her band friends, but Jasmine is by herself. She’s dressed for bowling in her all-sports outfit: a low-cut t-shirt and short shorts. It serves her best in her favorite sport—picking up guys.
As soon as I introduce my friends to Gage, he takes a special interest in Jasmine. “Where’s your boyfriend?” he asks.
“I’m by myself.” She’s trying to look pitiful. I wonder if either of them remembers Gage came with me.
He takes Jasmine’s hand. “Someone who is as pretty as you shouldn’t be here alone.” I swear he looks like he’s going to kiss her hand. “I’m sure Jess doesn’t mind sharing.”
I’m hit by a stab of jealousy. I stand up. “Sure, no problem. In fact, you guys can just be together. I’ll go find a guy who doesn’t have to listen to everything his big brother says.” I walk away.
Gage catches me around the waist and pulls me down onto his lap. “You don’t have to be like that, Jess. Jasmine is all alone. There’s enough of me to go around.”
This is the point where I should leave him here. It would show Gage what a jerk he’s being. He won’t let me go. I turn around to face him.
He has that crazy grin on his face—too cute to get in trouble again. “We can just hang out and have fun, Jess. It doesn’t matter who’s with who.”
“Whatever,” I shake my head. “But Jasmine has to pay for you.”
Jasmine and I take turns flirting with Gage. It’s not a big deal. He makes it hard to take myself or anything else too seriously. He's as crazy as he was when we were little kids. Being with him makes me feel like I'm younger, or maybe just more free. I'm not analyzing his every move. I'm not overthinking everything I'm doing. I'm not even worried about who might show up at the bowling alley, how I look, or who’s talking behind my back. It feels good to just have fun without all that pressure.
By the time we get home, Gage remembers who he’s supposed to be out with. He continues playing up his act, opening the door for me and bowing deeply, like some Southern gentleman. He helps me out of the car and then offers his arm. "Allow me to escort you to your door."
I bat my eyes at him and put my hand on his impressive bicep, and imitate his accent, "Why thank you, Sir.”
He continues the gentleman act until we reach my front door. “Thank you for a lovely evening. I hope we can do it again soon. Now, as is customary in these situations, I believe you owe me a kiss.”
I drop the act. “Ioweyoua kiss?”
“Yep, one kiss per evening. That’s the charge.” He grins at me. “Actually, my fee is usually higher than that, but I’m giving you the ‘family friend’ discount. I don’t want to get in trouble with my mom or my brother.”
“I don’t owe you anything. We took my car. I paid—”
“I told you I–”
“And you spent the entire night flirting with my friend.”
“Not the entire night. I gave you plenty of attention too. Plus, I let you win.”
“Youletmewin.” I look at him in disbelief. Gage has to be the worst bowler I’ve ever seen.
“I did.” He tries to look hurt. “Usually I’m very good at bowling.”
“Maybe you would have done better if you were watching the pins instead of checking out Jasmine’s butt all night.”
A grin spreads across his face. “She has a fantastic butt.”
I let out a heavy sigh.
“You have a great butt too. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”
