Page 50 of Tutoring the Bad Boy
Me: Shut up. Just guess.
Ronnie: Okay?...Where are you?
Me: Maggie’s Beach Hut.
I watch those three dots dance up and down while Ronnie is feverishly typing. My heart pounds in anticipation.
Ronnie: Are you serious?!
Me: Yep
Ronnie: I know you’re trying to get into trouble, but don’t try to make up for all the years you were perfect in one night, okay?
Me: Whatever. I won’t. I promise.
Ronnie: I want details the moment you get home.
Chuckling, I text back.
Me: Okay.
“Are you ready to pay attention to me yet?” I turn, and Kaleb is looking at me intently. His gaze darts to the phone in my hand and back to my eyes.
Suddenly, it hits me. I’m on a date. Not just any date. A date with Kaleb Quinn. All of a sudden, I’m ten again and my night in shinning armor is standing in front of me having slayed the bully and taken the heat for popping him just so I don’t start my new school by ratting someone out.
And he’s beautiful.
“Yes,” I say and put my phone back in my purse as we approach The Hut. There’s a patio in the front that faces the beach. A tiki torch is lit, and a group of kids sit in chairs, laughing and talking. The vibe is fun and relaxed. Something, it seems, my soul has been crying out for. Life doesn’t have to be serious all the time—unlike what my mom might think.
Kaleb opens the old wooden door for me, and inside we’re met with more people lounging on boho couches and swings. The music is loud and people are dancing. Off to the left, there’s a counter where folks are lined up, probably to buy drinks and snacks.
Everyone turns to us. It’s like that moment where the record scratches, the room goes silent, and everyone stares you down. That’s how it feels to me anyhow.
I lean into Kaleb and whisper, “Why is everyone staring at us?”
He whispers back, “Because you’ve never been here before. This is a tight-knit group.”
“And you’ve been here?” I look to Kaleb with expectation in my eyes.
He looks back at me like I’m crazy. “Of course I’ve been here.”
Right. Crud. Why did I even ask?
After a few moments, the room goes back to normal and everyone carries on with their business. Kaleb is still holding my hand, and the feeling is no less potent than it was before. Actually, it’s more intense now that everyone has seen it.
“What do you like to drink?” Kaleb leads me to the refreshments line.
“Um…” I look up at a chalkboard that displays everything that’s on offer. “Root beer.”
“One root beer it is.” Kaleb takes out his wallet.
Holy cow, this is a real date. I’ve never had this experience before. A guy holding my hand, opening doors, and paying for things. If only it weren’t pretend.
As we’re standing in line, I take another look around the room and realize this place really isn’t as crazy as I thought it was. Sure, it’s not my crowd, but there’s definitely no knife fights going down.
“A root beer for the lady, and I’ll take a coke.” Kaleb leans in and gives me a kiss on the cheek. I blush profusely. “You want fries too?”
Nodding, I say, “Yeah. Sure.”
