Here and Now (3 page)

3

Hazel

The first time I went to practice after our date, I expected Flynn to act exactly the same. He wouldn’t speak to me unless he was giving me lunch, and the girls would flock to him just for a glimpse. Now that I had more feelings for him, I was annoyed with all the attention he was getting. Getting my heart broken didn’t make me naturally trusting.

After we finished our session for the morning, I
pulled my shoes off immediately then sat in my usual corner. I brought a sandwich and snacks because I actually had food in the apartment—thanks to Flynn.

As soon
as the break began, the girls headed to Flynn, their hair free from their buns. I wasn’t in the mood to watch him flirt with every girl that gave him the eye, so I looked at my phone and played a game.

“Wow. You made your own lunch.”

I looked up and saw Flynn grinning at me. He wore jeans and a black t-shirt. Every time I saw him, I was more attracted to him than I was before. I understood why the girls were so keen to get under him. “I can do more than dance.”

He held up his sandwich. “Can I join you?”

I looked at the group of girls standing near the front of the stage. They were watching Flynn and I speak, wondering what the hell was going on. “I don’t think your fan club would be too happy about that.”

“Well, I don’t care about them. You’re the only one who matters to me.” He leaned his back against the wall and sat beside me. He never had lunch with me before. The gesture caught m
e by surprise.

“Now all the dancers are going to hate me.”

“They already do,” he teased.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “What did you make?”

“Artichoke and cheese.”

“I’ve never heard of that before…”

“It’s pretty good.” He held the sandwich toward me. “Try a bite.”

The affection between us had increased overnight. I eyed it then took a bite.

“Good, right?” he asked.

I chewed it then swallowed. “It is good.”

“My mom used to make these when I was little. Family recipe.”

I grinned even though I shouldn’t. I was thrilled he was having lunch with me and only me. “Thanks for hanging out with me.”

He nudged my side. “I know you don’t have any friends.” His eyes had a playful look to them.

“Thanks for the charity,” I said sarcastically.

He finished his sandwich then opened a bag of chips. He ate quickly but efficiently. He didn’t make a mess like I usually did.

I stared at the sandwich in my hands. “Thanks for the groceries…”

“You’re welcome.” He didn’t look at me when he said it.

“That was really sweet.”

“Sometimes we’re afraid to ask for help. We’d rather drown than admit a weakness.”

“That’s me,” I said with a sigh. “You hit the nail right on the head.”

He smirked. “And they don’t usually like to be helped. So it means a lot to me that you aren’t mad at me.”

“Well, I was desperate, to be honest. I’ll pay you back.”

“No,” he said immediately. “I don’t want your money.”

I could tell he wouldn’t budge. “Thanks.”

“Sure.” He finished his chips then moved his hand to my thigh. The movement was so quick, I didn’t see it happen. Flynn acted like nothing was amiss, like he’d done it a hundred times. I wondered if the girls noticed the gesture.

I finished my sandwich then downed my Gatorade.

“Got plans tonight?” he asked.

“My friend is getting married
, so we’re helping her plan the wedding.”

He cringed. “That sounds terrible.”

I laughed. “It’s not my thing either. I usually hang out with the guys and we watch TV and eat pizza.”

“Now that sounds like fun.” He gave me a playful look.

“We’ve done it a lot lately. A friend of mine is going through a break up so we try hang out as much as possible so he doesn’t feel alone. So, it’s supposedly about the wedding, but it’s really about him.”

He nodded. “That’s what real friends do. They are there for each other even if it isn’t obvious.”

“Yeah. I hate seeing him so upset.”

“I can imagine.” He squeezed my thigh gently. “I was going to ask you to do something but you seem busy.”

“Yeah…” I felt him stare at my face.

“I would
n’t mind watching TV and eating pizza.” His meaning hung in the air.

“Um…”

“I’d like to meet your friends.”

“Isn’t that a little soon?”

“For me to meet your friends?” he asked incredulously. “It’s not like they are your family.”

“Well, they are.”

His eyes softened. “I’m sorry I overstepped my boundary. I just want to see you.” He turned away then pulled out his phone, typing a quick message.

Now I felt like a bitch. Flynn had been so sweet to me and I totally shut him down. “No, I want you to come.”

“Great.” He put his phone away and smiled at me.

I narrowed my eyes. “Why do I feel tricked?”

“Because I guilted you into it.” He winked at me. “And you walked right into that.”

“Jerk—

He pressed his lips against mine and silenced me. The kiss was quick and gentle. His lips didn’t open and I didn’t feel his tongue. It happened so quickly, I didn’t have time to savor it. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

I was immobile from the heat of his touch. My lips were still burning long after he pulled away. He always caught me by surprise with his charming kisses and touches. I wished they last
ed longer for me to really enjoy it. “Okay…”

“I need to get back to work.” He stood up then walked to the rear of the auditorium.

When I looked at the huddle of dancers at the front of the stage, they were looking at me like I was a clown on fire. They saw the kiss and were just as surprised as I was.

My lips still burned.

Flynn picked me up at exactly seven. When I looked through the peephole, he was wearing dark jeans and a green t-shirt. I noticed the muscles of his arms. He was lean and toned, not burly like Mike. But I liked that.

I opened the door and look him up and down. “You look great.”

“Thanks.” He winked at me.

“And I…?”

He hooked his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him, making my heart practically explode. “You look damn fine.”

Damn fine?
“Thanks, I think.”

He dropped his hand, and I suddenly felt cold. “You ready to go?”

“Yep.” I glanced down and noticed the tattoo on his forearm. It was a scorpion. I never dated a guy with tattoos, but I liked it for some reason. I wondered if he had them anywhere else.

He caught my eye. “You like my ink?”

“Yeah…it’s nice.”

He smirked. “You think it’s hot, don’t you?”

“What? No.”

“Sure…” He grabbed my hand and pulled
me from the doorway.

I looked at
our joined hands when I realized what was happening. He always made these gestures of affection so smoothly that I couldn’t question it. His hand felt warm in mine, and I could feel his distant pulse. I knew I liked it.

We walked up the street and passed other people. For a moment in time, I felt safe in his embrace, like we’d been together for our entire lives. I was naturally comfortab
le with him. He’d become a good friend without trying. I felt like I could tell him anything.

“My phone has been blowing up today.”

“Oh.”
What the hell did that mean? And how did I respond?

“I guess the girls weren’t too happy to see
me kiss you.”

“Shocking…”

He smirked. “Now you have even more enemies.”

I shrugged. “I couldn’t care less.”

“Good. I’ll kiss you more often.”

Please do. I mean, no.
My cheeks reddened and I looked away.

Flynn stared at my face. “I make you nervous.”

I didn’t deny it.

“Which
is both a good thing and a bad thing.” His fingers massaged my knuckles as we moved down the sidewalk. “Anything I should know about your friends?”

“There isn’t enough time for me to explain,” I said with a laugh.

“Good. I like meeting new people—cool new people.”

“Well…I wouldn’t say they are cool. They are different.”

“That’s good too.”

We reached Ryan’s apartment then headed
to the door. “Don’t be nervous,” I said.

He smirked. “Me? Nervous? Never.”

“God, you’re cocky.”

“I’ll show you cocky.” He grabbed my face and pressed me into the door. His lips sought mine, and when they combined, my lips burned in flame. He took his time when he kissed, every embrace purposeful and loving. My breath was taken away and my heart pounded in my chest.
My hands moved to his and I returned the same passion.

When his tongue touched mine, I
released a moan from my lips. My enthusiasm was embarrassing. It was obvious I hadn’t been kissed like this—ever. The last time I felt chemistry like this was when I kissed Kyle the first time, and even then, it was just a sliver what it was now. Flynn was an exceptional kisser. He pushed me further into the door, his chest pressed to mine. I assumed this kiss was meant to be innocent, but it quickly escalated into something much more.

The door opened behind me and we stumbled back slightly. Flynn grabbed my waist and held me steady so I wouldn’t fall.

Ryan eyed us, seeing us both out of breath and with red cheeks. “Whatcha doing...?” His wide smirk told me he already knew exactly what we were doing. “I thought someone was having sex in the hallway.”

I blushed a darker shade of red.

Flynn smiled, completely not embarrassed. “I was proving how cocky I was to her.” He extended his hand. “I’m Flynn, Hazel’s boyfriend.”

Ryan
took it. “Boyfriend?” He looked at me. “Moving slow my ass.”

I rolled my eyes. “He’s not my boyfriend. We’re just…”

“Humping in the hallway?” Ryan asked.

“We weren’t humping!” I said. “We were making out.”

“Are you five? Be a little nasty.”

“Ryan!” I glared at him, telling him to be on his best behavior.

“You didn’t tell me he was coming, so don’t expect me to be on my best behavior.” He turned to Flynn. “I’m a jerk, just so you know.” He looked at Flynn’s forearm. “Nice tat.”

“Thanks.” Flynn bent his elbow, exposing the ink. “My friend Razor did it.”

“Razor?” Ryan asked. “That’s my guy. He works at my shop.”

“
Incredible Ink
?”

“The very one,” Ryan said with a nod.

“Cool. I’ve walked by it a few times.”

Ryan immediately took to Flynn the second they met. They talked about tattoos and art like I didn’t exist. Soon they were laughing
and acting like friends who saw each other on a daily basis.

“Can we actually come inside?”
I asked, feeling forgotten.

“Yeah, whatever.” Ryan stepped aside and continued to talk to Flynn.

Scarlet left the table then embraced me. “Who’s the hot bad boy?”

Sean cleared his th
roat. “I can hear you, you know?”

Scarlet rolled her eyes. “Who is he?”

“He’s…this guy I’m dating.”

Flynn turned to me even though he was still having a conversation with Ryan. “Boyfriend, actually.” Then he spoke to Ryan without breaking a stride.

Scarlet eyed me with a smirk. “He seems to think he’s something more.”

“He’s very pushy,” I said.

“I like him.” Scarlet eyed him then turned back to me.

“You haven’t even met him.”

“I can just tell.” She walked away then headed to Sean, who was seated on the couch. “You’re really mad?”

“Well, I should be the only guy you notice.”

“And what about the hot girl at the gym who hit on your dad? I distinctly remember you describing her as “hot with a smokin’ body”. She put her hands on her hips and stared down at him.

“I was just describing her for the guys. I didn’t actually think she was hot.”

“Sure.” She rolled her eyes then walked away.

Sean stared at her ass then pulled her into his lap. “I think you’re hot.”

“Oh, I know.”

He kissed her neck. “Way hotter than some bimbo at the gym.”

“You better.”

“And you think I’m hotter than some guy with tats, right?”

She rubbed his forearm. “Well…it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you got some ink.”

His eyes widened. “You’re into that?”