“What are you trying to prove?” Keaton growls.
“Not that I have anything to prove, but you don’t know me, Keaton. Not at all.”
I can feel his fuming stare burning into the side of my face for the rest of class. I ignore the urge to glance his way and sigh in relief when the bell rings, releasing us from class.
I make a beeline for the door, getting halfway down the hall before a hand grabs my arm. I turn around, expecting Keaton but find Wayland instead. I feel a pang of disappointment that it’s not Keaton but then remind myself that I hate him.
“Hey, I wanted to see what time you wanted me to pick you up tonight.”
“I’ll meet you there. What time does it start?”
He gives me a cocky smile. “Come on, babe. Let me pick you up.”
I take a step back from him. “Listen, I’m happy to go with you, but I prefer to drive myself.”
He holds up his hands. “Whatever you want. Movie starts at eight, but we’re meeting at seven and plan to get a late dinner afterward.”
That’s what I thought and I don’t want to hang out with them any longer than I have to. Thank goodness I’m driving, I think to myself.
“Great. See you there.”
✽✽✽
At six fifty, I’m standing in front of the movie theater waiting on Wayland and Rachel. They both assured me they were meeting at seven, but my habit of being early has me pacing the floor waiting for them to arrive. At seven ten, I debate leaving, but a group of people walking up brings me relief. Until I see which group it is.
Keaton is surrounded by Finley and a couple of the guys from the lacrosse team. Each one has a girl on their arm. Keaton catches my gaze on the blonde chick on his arm and raises his eyebrow at me.
“You here alone, Wright?” he questions as the group stands next to me.
“Nope. Just waiting on my date.” I wrap my arms around myself, now uncomfortable in the blouse and jeans I chose to wear. Next to the girls they brought, I look underdressed. They are each in dresses that barely cover their thighs and are held against their chests with dainty straps.
“You sure?” Keaton’s gaze holds a glimmer of something, but I’m unsure how to identify it.
Is it concern?
Before I can answer, an arm falls around my shoulder.
“Hey, Yates. Thanks for keeping my date company. Sorry I’m late, babe.” Wayland leans in and kisses my cheek, but I pull away quickly.
“Yeah. No problem.” Keaton laughs. “Later, babe.”
“Let’s get in line to get snacks before the movie.” Wayland pulls me inside, handing our tickets to the teenage attendant. After he gets most of the standard snacks, he leads me to seats up front. “This is the best place to watch a movie. You feel like you’re in it.”
I give him a tight smile as my stomach churns. Keaton was right about me hating horror films. Now I’m stuck right up front with a douchebag that smells like a unicorn fart. Seriously, the guy has got to have stock in the cologne company or something with the amount he must have poured on himself before our date.
I glance over my shoulder, wishing I were sitting in the back. My neck is bound to be aching by the end of the movie. My eyes catch movement as I go to turn back around. It’s Keaton, with the girl from before whispering in his ear. A pinch of something akin to jealousy hits me out of nowhere, but I push it down.
Stop it, Morgan. Get it together.
Keaton meets my eye, then smirks like he knows what I’m thinking.
I turn around quickly and settle in. Rachel takes the seat on the other side of me as the previews start. Not even through the first one, she’s already lip locked with her date.
“Want some?” The hot breath in my ear makes me shrink away. He’s tipping the popcorn container towards me.
“No thanks,” I whisper back.
Wayland shrugs and digs his hand back into the popcorn bowl, shoving it in his mouth. It’s not until the movie starts that I realize what a mistake this is.
Wayland, done with his snack, puts one arm around my shoulders. I try to shake him off, but he’s relentless. I’m about to tell him to move it when his other hand reaches over and grabs my leg, turning me towards him.
I resist the urge to gag as all I smell is the mix of his cologne with popcorn, causing my stomach to churn.
“How about we forget the movie and make out?”
“No thanks,” I whisper, trying to turn back to the movie.
He doesn’t take the hint though. He moves in closer and kisses my cheek before trailing his lips back towards my ear.
I jump up, much to the dismay of the people behind me.
“Sorry. Going to the restroom.” I don’t wait for Wayland to respond. Instead, I hustle to the bathroom, just in case he follows.
I wait about five minutes before I finally decide it should be safe to leave. He hasn’t come to check on me yet, so I hope I’m in the clear. Leaving the bathroom, I’m looking right, towards the theater, while turning left. I slam right into a body and almost scream.
A hand comes over my mouth as an arm pulls me closer. “Shh. It’s me,” Keaton’s rich voice whispers.
I let my forehead rest on his chest as my mind takes in his scent—leather and sandalwood. Keaton smells like heaven.
I take a minute to catch my breath as his arm holds me to him and his other hand smooths my hair.
When I pull back to look at him, he has a sly smile on his
