Perfect for You (13 page)

“Hey,” he says as I walk onto the court. “Following me?”

“Cute, but no.”

“You’re never here on Sunday morning. I know because it’s my set practice time.”

So this really is a coincidence, nothing more. “I woke up early and didn’t know what else to do.” I do a few stretches to warm up.

“Where’s Ash?” Noah walks over to me, standing much closer than necessary.

“Church.”

“Why didn’t you call Grayson to hit with you?”

Grayson! Crap! I’ve been totally ignoring her. With all the drama between Ash and Noah I forgot to even check up on her to see how she’s feeling after being sick Friday afternoon. I’m officially the worst best friend.

Noah waves his hand in front of my face. “Did I lose you?”

“Sorry, I was thinking about Gray.”

“Well, you want to play?”

Why not? We’re both here. “Sure, but I get to serve first.”

He bounces the ball to me. “That’s my girl.” His words stop us both. I’m not
his
girl. I’m Ash’s girl.

“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” I say.

“No. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it came out.”

His expression is telling a completely different story.

I have to let him go. He has to know that there can’t be a future for him and me. I can’t let him think we have a chance when I know we don’t. As much as I think he and I could be great together under different circumstances, we can’t work now, and I won’t hurt him or Ash any more. I have to stop being selfish and thinking I can have them both. “Noah.” I pause, not sure how to continue. “I don’t want to hurt you any more than I want to hurt Ash. This thing between us, it isn’t working. It’s not good for any of us.”

“You don’t think I know that?” He walks away from me, stopping at the gate.

“I don’t think we should see each other anymore.” It’s such a lame thing to say, but I can’t let this go on any longer. “I don’t want to give you false hope. I love Ash.”

He turns back to me and his face softens. “You like me, Meg. I know you do.”

This is the moment of truth. I have to be strong. “Yes, I do. And if I wasn’t with Ash, I’d be with you. I know that.” As much as I hate admitting the truth, I know it’s what we both need to hear.

“I kind of hate him right now.”

“I’m so sorry, Noah.”

“It’s stupid, but I thought the crush you had on me…I don’t know. I guess I thought I really had a chance.” He shrugs. “But I’m too late. Not much I can do about it now.” He laughs but it’s completely forced. “I did try, though.”

God, my heart is breaking. I’m begging my feet to stay planted where they are because the rest of me wants to throw my arms around Noah. How can I feel this strongly for two guys at the same time? Is this even possible?

“I should’ve kissed you.” His words shock me. “I had so many chances. You gave me so many openings. I should’ve done it.”

“No, you shouldn’t have.” I take one step closer. “Noah, one of the reasons why I like you is because you’re confident but sweet. You push the boundaries with me, but you never cross the line. You’ve always left it up to me.”

“And you chose him.”

“If it helps, you didn’t make the choice easy.”

He nods, looking every bit as hurt as I feel. “Bye, Meg.”

I watch him walk away, knowing that it’s not only for today. This goodbye is so much more than that. And I can’t blame him. He really, truly cares about me. He wanted me to choose him, but I didn’t. I feel awful for hurting him. Especially since I always thought of Noah as the kind of guy who didn’t get hurt by girls. He’s Noah Turner, the guy every girl in school wants. And I turned him down.

“Bye, Noah.”

Chapter Sixteen

Ash and I spend the entire afternoon and evening together, and it’s exactly what I need. Part of me can’t help feeling bad about Noah. I did what I had to though. I know that. Still, it hurts. He’s a good guy, and in so many ways he could’ve been perfect for me.

Ash and I are at Horseshoe Lake having a picnic dinner I made for us. This was our favorite place to meet over the summer when we were supposed to be training for tennis and football. It’s in the woods behind the school, so we could drive to the school and then meet at the lake. It’s become our spot. I love it because the lake really is shaped like a horseshoe, so when we sit out on the grassy area in the middle, we’re surrounded by water on both sides. It’s beautiful, and it sort of feels like we are on our own little island away from the rest of the world.

“Thanks for dinner,” Ash says, after polishing off his second sandwich. The boy can eat. I’m not exactly a gourmet chef, but sandwiches I can handle.

“You’re welcome. I figure since our five-month anniversary is tomorrow and we both have school and practice, it would be nice to celebrate a little early.”

“I agree.” He shimmies forward on our blanket and kisses my neck. Yup, this is exactly what I need. He pulls away much too soon and I’m about to protest, but he takes a small wrapped box from his pocket and hands it to me.

“What’s this?”

“I can’t wait until tomorrow to give it to you. Right now seems better. Happy anniversary.”

“But I don’t have your gift with me.” I got him tickets to see the minor league baseball team he likes.

“That’s okay. I can wait.”

“You sure?” Why didn’t I think to bring his gift? The picnic is part of our celebration, so I should have the gift with me.

He kisses my cheek. “Open it. I really want you to have it now.”

I smile and tear the wrapping paper. The little black box makes my heart skip. No way. It can’t be a ring. I’m being silly. Ash wouldn’t propose. We’re in high school. Sure, we applied to the same colleges, but we aren’t ready for this. I’m not even eighteen yet.

“Something wrong?” Ash sits up a little.

“No. Just savoring the moment.” And catching my breath. I slowly lift the lid. A dark red stone shines in the fading sunlight. A garnet. My birthstone. And it’s not a ring. It’s a necklace. On each side of the garnet is a small diamond. Relief washes over me, but it’s quickly replaced with guilt. This is a huge gift. Not engagement ring huge, but still. It’s too much. “Ash.”

“You don’t like it.” His face falls.

“No, I love it. It’s beautiful, but it must have cost a fortune.”

“You really like it?” He’s looking for reassurance that he did a good job picking it out.

“Yes.” I reach for his face and kiss his lips. “I just don’t want you spending all your money on me. These are diamonds.”

“I know.” He smiles. “Don’t worry about the cost. You’re worth it.” He moves behind me and brushes my hair to the side, kissing my neck. “Let me put it on you?”

“Only if you kiss my neck like that again.” I turn my head and smile at him.

He laughs and reaches for the necklace, carefully removing it from the box and securing the chain around my neck. Once it’s in place, he lowers his lips to my neck again. The necklace is cool against my skin, but I’m on fire from Ash’s kisses. I twist around and meet his lips with mine.

“So, I did well?” Ash asks in between kisses.

“Yeah.” I pull back so I can see his face. “I love you, Ash.” After everything that’s happened, I need to say the words.

“I love you, too, Meg.” He pulls me onto his lap, and I wrap my arms around him, getting lost in his lips again. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our anniversary.

***

Monday morning comes too soon. I’m exhausted. Ash and I stayed out past my curfew. I’m usually really good about being home by curfew because it keeps Mom and Dad from asking too many questions, but it was a special night, and I figured I could handle a little backlash. I stare at the alarm like it’s my worst enemy, but my spirits lift the second I feel the necklace around my neck. My fingers graze the three stones, bringing a smile to my face as I remember last night. It was perfect. I get ready for school and go downstairs with a huge smile on my face. Ash’s present is already in my bag. I’m going to slip it into his locker before school starts.

“You look happy this morning,” Mom says, taking a sip of coffee.

“I am.” I pour myself a glass of orange juice and gulp it down. “It’s my five-month anniversary with Ash. See what he gave me last night.” I brush my hair away from the necklace so Mom can see it. She was too sleepy to notice it last night when I got in.

She steps forward and gently lifts the necklace into her hand. “Diamonds?”

“Yup. Real diamonds.” By the way her eyes widen I can tell she was expecting me to say they weren’t real.

“That boy must really love you.”

My smile spreads across my face. Yes, he does.

“Oh.” Mom lets go of the necklace and turns back to the breakfast nook. Whenever she avoids my eyes like this, I know the conversation is going to take a turn for the embarrassing. I brace myself for a mother-daughter talk. “About last night. You were home kind of late, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, I know. Sorry. We were celebrating and lost track of time. It won’t happen again. I promise.”

She eyes me over her coffee. Oh, crap. Does she know I’m sleeping with Ash? No. She can’t know for sure. I have to keep calm. Don’t give her any signs that I have something to hide.

“Well, school calls.” I grab an apple off the counter and kiss Mom on the cheek. “See you at dinner.” I’m out the door before she can say another word. I’m so not having the sex talk with Mom. If I hear her talk about condoms, I’ll die. Besides, I already know all that stuff.

I get to school early and head straight for Ash’s locker. I quickly do the combination and slip the wrapped package inside, positioning it so it’s the first thing he’ll see when he opens his locker. Shutting the door, I smile, picturing Ash’s face when he opens it. He’ll love it, and we can go to the game together, so it’s perfect. I look up, ready to head to my own locker, but I don’t make it more than two steps.

Derrick—my Derrick—the guy who cheated on me sophomore year, is standing in the hallway, opening a locker twenty feet in front of me.

I freeze. Forget how to breathe. How can he be here? Am I imagining him? Maybe I’m still sleeping. This sure feels like a nightmare. The only thing that saved me from a complete meltdown, from folding in on myself two years ago was when he left this school, transferred out to go live with his dad after his parents’ divorce. And now, here he is. Back in my life again. Bringing all those feelings crashing to the surface.

I should run before he sees me. Duck into the bathroom or a classroom. Turn and head for the stairs. But I can’t make myself move. I’m paralyzed by the memory of him. By the hurt I still feel. He shuts the locker and turns, meeting my eyes.

“Meg?” A small laugh escapes his lips as he stares at me. He actually seems mildly happy to see me.

“What are you doing here? Why are you back?” I’m not even sure how I’m able to form words right now, but they come spilling out. My body shakes, and I must look like a total freak.

He steps toward me, smiling like he has a secret. “My parents worked things out.” He holds his hands out to the sides. “So, here I am. It’s good to see you, Meg. You look good.”

I wish I could say the same. Yes, he looks good. He always did, but it’s definitely not good to see him. “Why would your parents get back together? Your dad cheated on your mom.” It’s not hard to guess why Derrick is the way he is. He’s a mini version of his father.

“People change.”

Is he saying he’s changed? I highly doubt that. “How’s Stacy?”

“Who?”

Nope. Same Derrick. Of course he doesn’t remember the name of the girl he cheated on me with. Why would he? She was just another freshman to him. A plaything. I almost feel sorry for her. “Nice to know the girl you left me for was so memorable to you.”

He looks me up and down, taking in every inch of my body. “You know, I can’t seem to remember why we broke up. But now that I’m back, we should hang out some time.”

I’ve never wanted to hit someone so badly. The only thing stopping me is my match on Thursday. I can’t risk hurting my hand on this loser’s face. “I don’t think so. I’m much too old for you.”

“Too old?” He completely doesn’t get the dig. Is he really this dense?

“I thought you had a thing for freshmen girls.” I’m tempted to mention Liz. Her slutty little freshman self deserves getting played by someone like Derrick. Oh, what the hell. “I could introduce you to one you’d really like, if you want.”

“Setting me up? Isn’t that a little weird, considering we dated?”

“Not really. It would be pretty much—no,
exactly
like when we were dating. You making out with some other girl. Just try not to do it in front of my locker this time, would you?” My emotions pour out of me. There’s so much I want to say to him. So much I want him to know. Like how he hurt me. How I couldn’t trust another guy until Ash came along. How much I hate him for humiliating me. On second thought, do I want him to know all that? It wouldn’t change anything. He’s not the type of guy to learn from his mistakes or even to say he’s sorry. The only thing I’d be doing is hurting myself by opening up all those feelings.

“Were you always this feisty?” He crosses his arms and stares at me like he’s impressed.

“I don’t have time for this.” I start for my locker, but he grabs my arm.

“What’s your deal?”

Really? “Derrick, I have no desire to bring up the past, to talk to you, or to see your face.”

“Why? Because we broke up?” He holds his arms out. “We’re in high school, Meg. People break up. What’s the big deal?”

“The big deal is you humiliated me. You were making out with another girl in front of my locker. You didn’t have the balls to break up with me, so you decided to do it by shoving your tongue down Stacy’s throat.”

“Stacy.” He nods, finally remembering who she is. “She still go here?”

“Oh, my God! You’re such a dick!” I step forward and smack him clear across his face.

He grabs his cheek, which is bright red. “What the hell?”

“Meg!” Ash rushes up to me, stepping between Derrick and me. I notice the roses in Ash’s hand.