The Hazards of Mistletoe (Hazards #4)(17)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

Glen noticed us and walked over. “Savy, what a pleasant surprise.”

I nudged Dalton. “Thanks, Mr. Slowpoke.”

“Relax. I have this.” Dalton put an arm around me. “Hi. Can we help you?” He looked right at Glen. At least Glen wasn’t with a girl. He was with a guy with spiky brown hair.

“Yes, you can help me. I’ve been trying to get a few minutes with Savy here. Mind if I borrow her?”

“I don’t want to talk to you.” I couldn’t look at him as I spoke. It just brought back memories of how humiliated I’d been.

“But I want to talk to you, and I’m not going to give up until you agree to it. Come on, just a few minutes.”

“What is it with this place? I’ve been here twenty-four hours and I have to deal with not one, but two annoying guys asking to talk with me when it’s the last thing I want to do.”

Glen laughed and looked at Dalton. “I guess you’ve been in the dog house too?”

The guy with the spiky hair leaned in toward Dalton. “Listen, man. These two have a history. If you think she really likes you then why not let them talk?”

For a moment I actually considered letting Mr. Spiky and Glen think that Dalton and I were together, but I quickly brushed the thought off. I wasn’t the kind of girl to play games. I didn’t like when people played them with me, so there was no reason to do it myself. “We’re not together that way.”

“You’re not?” Glen’s face lit up.

“No. Not that it should matter to you.”

Glen’s expression didn’t falter. “Can we talk? We have some time before the movie starts.”

“Since when do you come here?” He’d never mentioned the place before. How random was it that he happened to show up for the same movie showing?

“Since when do you?”

“Since Dalton suggested it.”

“Dalton? Huh?”

“Is there a problem with my name?” Dalton went on the defensive.

“No, although I’m still trying to figure this all out. She said you’re not together, so why do I keep seeing you with your hands all over her then?”

“She’s my friend. That’s all you need to know.”

“I don’t know what Savy has told you about me, but we’ve been friends for years. You can tone down the anger and over protectiveness. I’m the one who should be worried about you around her.”

“Except her dad likes to have me around her. Can you say the same thing?”

“Did you tell your dad?” Glen glanced at me apprehensively. “I haven’t seen him yet.”

“No, but who cares?”

“I care. It means I need to explain everything to him too.”

I took a deep breath. Maybe Dalton was right about hitting this head on. “Okay, Glen. Let’s talk.”

“Great.” He grinned. “We’ll be just a few minutes.” He reached his hand toward me, but I stepped away. He seemed to get the hint because he started walking. I followed, taking slow deep breaths along the way. When I saw a break in the crowd, I stopped.

“So what did you want to talk about?”

“You know what I want to talk about.” He shifted his weight in what seemed like a nervous action. I wasn’t used to seeing Glen look nervous.

“I’m guessing about what happened, but I don’t want to talk about it. You made your feelings heard loud and clear. It’s over. I left you alone. Let’s move on.”

“See, that’s the problem. I don’t think I made my real feelings clear.”

A group of teenagers walked toward us, and I moved to the side to avoid them, nearly falling into Glen. I stepped back. “Sorry.”

“Please, don’t apologize. Should we sit?” He gestured to a nearby vacant table. Most people were already heading into the theater.

“Sure.” Maybe I’d be less nervous if I sat down. I needed to get this over with. Then I could forget about everything while watching the movie. Distractions were good.

He pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down. Instead of sitting across from me he sat down right next to me. I let it slide. I’d been closer to Glen than that before. Just thinking about it made my whole body warm—in both good and bad ways. The humiliation was there right along with the attraction. “Why do you think I did what I did?”

“No way. There is no way you’re doing this to me.” I pushed back my chair.

“Wait.” He touched my arm. “Hear me out. I promise there’s a point.”

“I’m not answering that. You can’t make me talk about how you rejected me. It’s not fair.” I tried to blink back the tears. What was wrong with me? I was stronger than that.

“I wasn’t rejecting you.”

My hurt turned to anger. “No you don’t. Don’t start playing that game. You rejected me. I was there. I remember.”

“I was there too, and unlike you, I actually know what I was thinking.” He pulled off his coat and put it on the chair next to him. “I didn’t do it because I didn’t want you.” He paused for a second as though deep in thought. “I wanted you so bad it was scary.”

“Then why did you do it? Why’d you run away the second you saw me?” There went the tears again.

“Because I didn’t deserve to have you.” His penetrating stare was unwavering. “I still don’t, but I’m going to hate myself if I don’t try.”

“Savannah?” Dalton appeared at my elbow. “Not to be annoying, but if we want to eat during the movie we’ve got to go and order. Do you want to come, or should I just order for you?” There was concern in his voice and expression. He was such a hard guy to understand. He went back and forth between hot and cold so often I couldn’t keep up.

“I’m ready.” I glanced at Glen. “See you around.”

“We’re not done talking.”

“Yes, we are. You heard Dalton, we’ve got to go.”

“Where are you guys sitting?” Glen pulled out a ticket. “Maybe we can switch with people and all sit together.”

“I’m sure we can manage that.” Spiky hair guy walked over.

I put a hand on my hip. “Excuse me, but who are you?”

He grinned. “I’m so glad you asked. I’m Winston. I’m roommates with your boy over there.”