A Good Boy Is Hard to Find (The Naughty List #3)(28)
Author: Suzanne Young

I reached into my pocket to grab my phone. Wait. Where was my phone? I balanced on my crutches as I checked all of my pockets, but nothing. I know I’d had it in Kira’s car. And I’d checked it once while I was with Aiden—

Siegfried and Roy! I’d left my phone in Aiden’s car. I exhaled and slowly turned to crutch my way into my house.

Joel,

I stopped by your house this morning because I lost my phone last night. Long story. I’d love to go out to dinner with you. I’m home all day, so call the house!

Tessa

From: Kira Reynolds <[email protected]>

To: Tessa Crimson <[email protected]>

Sent: Mon, October 11, 2:45 PM

Subject: Practice

Hey, Tess. I’ve been working on a new routine that we should use for the ESPN game. It’s called the Triple Licorice Twist—totally hot. I think it’s the only way we can win over the crowd.

I’ve been working on it with Chloe, and she’s rocking it. I really think she should be our flyer since your ankle is broken.

Thoughts?

BTW, does Joel know how much time you’ve been spending with Aiden lately?

K

Chapter 13

I’d dialed Aiden’s dorm room several times to get my phone back, but it kept going to voice mail. Where was he? I started to wonder if he was keeping it on purpose.

Joel called me the minute school got out. I thought it was incredibly sweet that he would ignore homework for me. He was also totally forgiving about my blowing him off the other night when I was spying … er, at the movies.

We decided to grab an early dinner so that I could still make practice tonight. Kira’s e-mail about her new routine had me all stressed out. First, the Triple Licorice Twist was highly dangerous. Second, there was no way in the universe I’d let Chloe be my flyer. I was top of the pyramid. A stupid cast wouldn’t change that.

I’d let the squad know Aiden’s detail about the culprit possibly being in a class with Blaze, and luckily, both Izzie and Leona were in his homeroom. They were going to snatch his schedule tomorrow.

I waited in the kitchen, thankful that my parents were out of town. They didn’t freak about the suspension. I mean, sure, they told me to stay inside except for cheerleading, but I think dinner was a necessity and therefore okay.

When my doorbell rang, I smiled as I crutched over to it. Since I didn’t want to wear sweatpants, I had changed into a dark-pink skirt with a white T-shirt and cute cardigan sweater. Too bad my crutches didn’t match. It could have been a total ensemble.

“Wow,” Joel said slowly when I opened the door. “You look great, Tess.”

“You, too.” He was so handsome with his hair brushed smooth, his button-down the perfect shade of green to make the hazel of his eyes stand out. I felt a little breathless.

He smiled, his slightly misplaced tooth peeking out and thrilling me. “We could just stay in, maybe order a pizza?” he suggested.

Oh. His comment surprised me, and I moved back on my crutches. He must have noticed because he held up his hands apologetically.

“Or we can go out to dinner like we planned. You ready?” He seemed completely nervous, and I felt bad. I wasn’t trying to make him uncomfortable. It was just that staying in would lead to making out. And making out could lead to …

“Yep. Let’s go.” I crutched forward and out the door.

Joel drove us downtown in his sensible, clean car as I enjoyed the darkening view out my window. It was pretty this time of year. All the leaves were bright orange and red. The slight chill in the air had everyone wearing stylish overcoats. It made me crave hot chocolate and pumpkin pie.

We stopped in front of the Steakhouse in Bellevue. I looked at him as he pulled the car into the parking lot. When he glanced over, I smiled. “I’ve never been to this restaurant,” I said.

“It’s nice.”

Well, that was good. I liked new experiences. And having them with Joel was forward momentum. No point spending my entire life visiting all the old haunts that Aiden and I used to. Joel deserved his own traditions.

It took me a good while to climb out of the car and get on the crutches, but when we approached the building, Joel held the door open for me. Such a gentleman. I was just about to thank him when I noticed the room. I paused. “Um …”

Joel hadn’t mentioned that we were going to a fancy (meaning sort of stuffy) restaurant. The type with ladies in fur coats (tragic!) and men wearing ties. There were chandeliers and wood-paneled walls with intricate designs. I would have been fine with going for a burger. I just wanted to spend time with him.

“Joel,” I said, turning around, “this is really fancy. I think I’m underdressed.”

“You look beautiful,” he said, a crooked smile on his face. “You’re easily the hottest—and youngest—girl in here.”

I laughed.

“Besides,” he said, “I figured if I finally get to take you out, I’d better make it first class, or I’d never coax you away from the squad again.”

“Coax?”

He shrugged. “Tryouts? Practice? Meetings? Take your pick. Seems every time I ask you out, you already have plans—and that’s after you stopped spying. I’m starting to think you’ve changed your mind about me.”

Holy Grail! That was definitely not the case. I found Joel very charming. Handsome. Funny. I was just … busy. “Haven’t changed my mind,” I said, reaching out to take his arm. “In fact, I’m glad we’re here.”

“You don’t mean that. You want to leave.” He sounded amused.

Suddenly, a maître d’ walked up in a tuxedo. Tuxedo! I looked sideways at Joel, and he burst out laughing.

“Sorry, sir,” he said to the man standing there and looking down his considerable nose at us. “My girlfriend would rather go to McDonald’s.”

“Oh, my word!” Wait. Girlfriend?

The maître d’ snorted, and with that, Joel spun me around (careful of the crutches) and marched us out the heavy glass door. It was spontaneous and sweet.

Joel was a life-size Ken doll, only without all the plastic.

“You’re incredibly low maintenance, Tessa,” Joel said as we sat across from each other in a vinyl booth at Sid’s Pizza. When I told him that I didn’t care where we went, he chose here. Which was cool. Even if Aiden and I used to come here every Thursday.