Page 25 of Only Ever You

When I look away, I realize I wasn’t the only one watching him. What a shocker. More than one girl is looking at him with hearts in her eyes.

We used to sit together every day, sharing sandwiches while I rolled my eyes at his and his friends’ antics. I could join him now, I guess, but it no longer feels comfortable. I never know what they’re talking about. Not the parties, not the people. Our worlds drift farther apart every day.

“How about over here?” Cade says, pulling me back to the present. He points at an empty table across the courtyard.

“Let’s go.” I square my shoulders and follow him.

As I pass Michael, he gives me a smile. Warmth glimmers in his eyes as he looks me up and down, his attention lingering on my skirt and my legs.

My cheeks heat up. I’m not used to this type of attention from him. It’s new and exhilarating. The fluttering in my belly grows, just like the tingles spreading all over my body. I never want him to stop.

“Hey, Thompson,” Cade greets him, shattering the moment.

Michael inspects Cade, the corners of his mouth dropping. “Turner.” For a second, he looks at me again, but then he quickly focuses on his friends. He’s kind of accepted that Cade and I are friends, but he still isn’t a fan, and I don’t think he ever will be.

If I were alone, he probably would’ve asked me to join him, but…oh well. There’s no point dwelling on it.

I sit with my back to Michael’s table—the less temptation the better—and pull out the turkey and avocado sandwiches I brought for us.

Cade sets an orange on the table, then two bottles of water, one for each of us.

“Are you going to the party tonight? At Jones’ house?” Cade asks with his mouth full. “I swear, the dude invited everyone to his birthday party.”

I shake my head. “Nope. I have practice, and I won’t be done until nine.”

Not to mention, I wasn’t invited, but that’s not something I want to admit aloud.

“You should come after. Everyone will be there.”

“Have you ever seen me after practice? When Elena is done with me, I can barely walk.”

He snorts, his gray blue eyes shining brightly. “I envy your ambition. You really are on track to make it to the Olympics, aren’t you?”

Warmth spreads across my skin at his words. The friendship that’s blossomed between us is still surprising to me. With all the animosity between him and Michael, I never gave him the time of day, and I never imagined he’d be someone I trusted, let alone liked hanging out with. But then he transferred to our school, ended up in my class, and…I realized there’s more to him than meets the eye. He’s handsome and kind, and he always sticks up for me. He’s popular, just like all the athletes are, but he treats his popularity like an annoyance while Michael and Asher enjoy theirs almost too much.

I suspect Cade likes me, and I’m flattered, sure, but unfortunately, the feeling isn’t mutual.

My heart chose Michael a long time ago, and now, I’m patiently waiting for him to catch up. Hopefully, that’ll happen on my sixteenth birthday.

I’m really counting on the first kiss I’ve been promised.

Somebody drops onto the bench beside me, and the scent of caramel hits my nose. Sienna, her long blonde hair streaming down her shoulders, tucks a few flyaways behind her ear and fixes her blue eyes on me.

“There you are.” She plants a kiss on my cheek. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

“We’ve been here since lunch started.” I grab the bottle of water Cade opened for me and take a sip. “What’s up?”

“Are you coming to the party tonight?”

“Already asked, and the answer is no.” With a huff, Cade takes a bite of his sandwich.

“Ugh. Why does she always miss the fun stuff?” Sienna pouts.

“Erm, guys? I’m right here.”

Cade winks at me. “We know, but I like to tease you.”

Sienna puts her head on my shoulder, taking a deep breath. “Another late practice?”