Page 64 of Steeling Her
One minute, he was fine when I was reading a story to Ellie and Abbie. The next, he’s storming out of the room. I don’t know what I said. I was just reading, following the lines of the book. I’m sure he’s read this story to Ellie before. Whatever it was, it wasn’t my fault.
Right now, I’m standing in the kitchen with Danielle and Haley, helping Lynn with the cleaning. Lynn is running back and forth between the door and the kitchen because people are picking up their kids one by one.
I’m stacking the paper plates from the people outside on the patio to bring into the kitchen. As I walk by Nick and TJ, I don’t say anything. I don’t even look at him.
I suddenly stop, realizing a possibility.Is he regretting kissing me? Or was I just another conquest for him? Is that what’s going on here?
I throw the paper into the black garbage bag and go back outside to collect more, angrily grabbing any piece of paper I can see so I can recycle it.
I’m still ignoring him.If he wants to be like that, fine. Be like that. This is how it works?
This is how it works!
Once I’m finished, Haley and Danielle decide we could put on a movie and order some food in since we didn’t eat much. We were helping Lynn look after the kids and feed them first.
“Ugh, did you see that little kid Drake? He was so fucking cute! I just wanted to pick him and put him in my pocket to take him home with me!” Danielle gushes over the little boy who kept following her around all day and holding her hand. He was so adorable with her. I think he had a small crush on her.
“I’m pretty sure that’s called kidnapping, Danielle,” I tease her as the three of us rummage through the movie options on the TV.
“Pfft. Whatever! I want my kid to be as cute as he was! . . . But any way . . . how about ‘Bridesmaids’?” Danielle points to the screen with the remote control.
“Fuck no! I’ve seen that too many times thanks to Jackson over there!” TJ points at Haley, who grins at him. She winks because Nick isn’t in the room. She and TJ have been flirting like crazy the entire day. It’s cute when you watch, but they’re so cautious in case Nick is near.
“Oh, you love it. Don’t lie, TJ.” She waves him off as Danielle flicks through the options again to try find a different one. We hear him snort, and Haley sticks her tongue out at him as he walks over, sitting on her. He messes with her by not fully putting his body weight on her. Her arms flail around as she tries to get him off. She’s giggling uncontrollably underneath him. Danielle and I smirk at each other at the two of them being so flirtatious.
“Okay . . . Then how abouuuttt . . . Oh my God! Can we pleaaassseee!” Danielle whines when she sees “She’s the Man” on the screen. TJ rolls his eyes while he buries his head into Haley’s neck and she screams of laughter. “I’ll take that as a yes!” The movie was chosen. A good movie at that.
Both the lovebirds on the couch were whispering things to each other, making the other giggle lowly. But footsteps were heard, and TJ stood up instantly to walk over to a sofa. Haley jumped next to him while Danielle and I sat on a different couch. We pulled the blanket up over our legs while Nick set down the pizza that was ordered. We all took slices to fill our plates for round one. Nick slides into the seat next to me and I sigh, thinking how nice it feels to have next to me. But I’m annoyed because he’s been ignoring me practically all day.
I bite into my pizza and feel him shuffle beside me, inching his body closer to mine. We’re watching the movie in silence, the odd laugh from someone as we watch Amanda Bynes transform into a guy and act like she is one.
But the main reason as to why we’re watching this movie is a very good one.
Channing Tatum.
Cue the global panty drop.
When he comes on the screen in his football uniform, Danielle looks over to me and quirks her brows in a suggestive manner. I try not to laugh at her, but she wiggles them. I know what she’s thinking. I dab a napkin on my mouth, wiping the remaining tomato sauce on my face but also to try to keep the food inside my mouth.
About an hour into the movie, my phone vibrates on my lap under the blankets. I looked down to see what it was. A text from a number I don’t recognise.
Unknown: Hey Carter, it’s Ryan! I was going to message you earlier but TJ told me you’re at a party. I was wondering if you wanted to go out with me sometime? I would really like a chance to go out with you. You seem like a cool girl, let me know??xx
I freeze after reading the message. I reread it again to make sure I read it correctly. This guy is very persistent. I stare at the screen for what feels like forever. Every time it goes black, I turn it back on, not knowing what to do. I’ve only been on a handful of dates, although they were nice at the time. I ended up in tears because of what the intention was. I don’t know if I’m ready for another one.
I sigh and stare up at the larger screen in front of me.
What do I do? How do I reply to that? I don’t want to be mean, but I don’t think I want to date. I don’t know what I want.
What if I annoy Nick?
Why am I thinking about him?
He ignored you the entire day, Carter.I feel like another conquest for him. He’s probably moved on with one of those girls today. Why can’t I move on?
But a date?
Maybe if it was just us hanging out? I’ve just mentally blocked the word date. I don’t like it. It brings bad vibes to me.
