Sometimes Never (26 page)

             
“Have you always been this nosy?”

             
“Yes.”

             
I roll my eyes. “Warren Grant is having a party Saturday and wants us to play.” I stop there because I have no intentions of going.

             
“Well, that’s good. Right?”

             
Mr. Roberts calls the class to attention and Mason turns around hesitantly. I consider the subject finished.

Mason

              Hope’s quiet on the way to lunch. I take her hand and receive a small smile, but it’s apparent something is bothering her. I probably pissed her off with my temper tantrum about Park. Yeah, that was shitty of me. She’s one hundred percent right. All three points she ticked off were legit. I’m acting like a little boy, I know, but it freaks me out. She was with him/not really with him for a year. Their break up/not really break up is still fresh. They have the band. He’s Guy’s best friend and Guy is her best friend. They have this history and connection that I don’t and—I’m jealous. I should trust her. She’s
my
girlfriend. We’re together. In a real relationship. She never had that with Park. But I can’t help being protective of her. Being protective of us. I’m in new territory and haven’t worked out the best way to handle it yet. But I’m trying. I’m determined not to totally fuck this up again.

             
“Hey. I’m sorry about earlier. About Park. I was being stupid and jealous and... Well, I’m just sorry.”

             
She smirks. “You’ve done a lot of apologizing since I met you.”

             
I scratch my neck uncomfortably. I have, haven’t I? “Yeah. I screw up a lot, so it kind of goes together.”

             
“We’re good,” she says. I squeeze her fingers. “Kiss me before we go in there.”

             
I pull on her hand bringing us chest to chest and lower my head. I kiss her gently and she hums happily against my mouth.
Hell.
I really, really wish we weren’t at school.

             
“You’re going to make me puke,” Chase calls loudly as he passes us, moving through the doors. He glances back making a gagging gesture.

             
“Bite me,” Hope replies. Chase pauses and does an about face, walking toward us with purpose. “You touch me with that mouth and I’ll hurt you.” Hope slaps at him and he laughs.

             
“Tease,” he says with an exaggerated shake of his head.

             
I put my hand on his chest. “Back off my girl. I like you, don’t make me have to kick your ass.”

             
Chase huffs. “Like you could, Patel. I’ve been working out.” He pulls his sleeve up to his shoulder and flexes his gangly arm. “Look at that.” He lowers his limb and nods his head. “It’s okay, I know it’s intimidating.”

             
“Like a bunny,” I say.

             
“A rabid bunny. With fangs,” Chase adds seriously. I laugh and Hope nudges us into the cafeteria.

             
“So, did you agree to Park’s terms?” Chase asks. My brows pull together as I look at Hope for clarification.
What terms?

             
She closes her eyes for a moment and when she answers, it’s through clenched teeth. “No. I did not.”

             
“What terms?” I ask and I know I sound every bit as guarded as I feel, but seriously,
what terms?

             
Chase looks from Hope to me. Back and forth several times. He tucks his lips and shakes his head. “Nothing. Never mind.”
Hell no
.

             
I throw my hand back up on his chest as he tries to walk away. “Hold up. What terms? What are you talking about?”

             
He looks down at my hand and then raises his eyebrows at me pointedly, but I’m not backing down. I want to know what Park thinks he can get Hope to agree to. I glare venomously at him, giving my own message.

             
“Not me, man. I’m not the one you have beef with, so back up.” He wraps his hand around my wrist and it takes me a few tense seconds to drop my arm. My first instinct is always to fight, but he’s right. I’m not pissed at him. I nod, letting him know I’m cool. He shoots Hope a look and she rolls her eyes.

             
“Park doesn’t want you to go to Warren’s party,” she explains. “That’s the only way he’ll do it. I wasn’t even going to mention it because it doesn’t matter. I said no.”

             
I may make stupid decisions from time to time, but I’m not a complete moron. I know there is only one reason Park would put this stipulation on Hope. And there is no freaking way I am letting it go. It’s time I make shit real clear for the guys in this school.

             
I pivot on my heel, jaw grinding as I scan faces. As soon as I spot him I move toward his table quickly. I’m just itching to put my fist through something right now. Hope cuts. I fight. We all deal with our shit in different ways.

Every muscle is tense
as I stop in front of Park’s seat. He looks up at me and the disdain he regards me with is miniscule compared to the red hot rage I know is radiating off me. I want to beat his ass and I don’t even care that he’s Hope’s ex or Guy’s friend.

             
“You need to walk away from me, right now,” Park says through his teeth.

             
Oh, yeah. I want to hurt this asshole. “You need to stop making demands. Especially when it comes to
my
girl
.” I stress the end, unmistakably staking my claim for everyone around to hear. Hope’s mine.

             
“That’s not your decision to make,” Park spits.

             
“No. It’s mine,” Hope says calmly. I turn my head and she’s staring hard at Park.

             
“I don’t want him there,” he says, his voice low. “This is hard enough. The band is mine. I should at least get that.”

             
All the air seems to leave Hope, deflating her. “All right.” She holds his gaze. “You can have the band. Find a new drummer.”

             
“What?” Chase says from behind me. “No.”

             
Park sits forward in his chair, resting his hands flat on the table in front of him. “That’s not what I meant—”

             
“That’s what you get,” Hope interrupts. They’re locked in some kind of silent debate. It takes every ounce of strength not to step in between them, cutting off his view of her.

             
Park finally cracks. He drops his eyes, squinting at the table. “Bring whoever you want. I don’t give a shit anymore.” He gives me a fierce glance, anger rolling off him in waves. “But just so we’re clear—” He stands up, his chair sliding out loudly in the eerily quiet cafeteria. I close my hand, making a fist. “You come near me outside of school, you’ll regret it.” And then he turns around and walks away. He turned his back on me, not only cutting off my response, but telling me loud and clear he isn’t afraid of me. He should be, though, and that’s what bothers me most. I outweigh the guy by at least a good twenty pounds. I have a few inches on him. I’ve been in my share of fights. I look at Hope and imagine losing her a year from now and the pain in my chest has me looking back to Park’s retreating form. He’s a man with nothing left to lose. He’s in love with her and she broke his heart. For me. And I don’t know how to feel. I’m not about to give her up, but I actually think I might feel a little bad for the guy. I sure as hell don’t want that to be me. Ever.

*******

              Tonight is my first date with Hope. I’m excited as hell to take her out as my girlfriend. I originally didn’t plan anything other than picking her up at six, but Mom was so horrified by this that I spent all last night detailing our date. As soon as I got home from school today, I started cooking. Everything I made has a fruit or vegetable in it. I packed it all up, picnic style and loaded it in the trunk. Hope is either going to love or hate it. I’m not even going to lie, I’m nervous as shit. As lame as it sounds, I tried on four different outfits before settling on a white button up with dark jeans. I roll the sleeves to my elbows and attempt to do something with my hair for once. I want her to know she means enough for me to make an effort.

             
Mom switched her shift so I didn’t have to worry about Kellin and I have full use of the car. I think she’s more eager about this date than I am. Well, maybe not more, but definitely as much as me. And I know she’s dying to meet Hope, but that will have to wait. Maybe this weekend I’ll invite Hope over for lunch. Mom will appreciate that. Is it too soon for them to meet? Shit. I don’t have a clue. I’ve never made it this far into a relationship before.

             
Ten minutes on my hair and it still falls into my eyes. I give up and go out to the living room for Mom to gush.

             
“I’m heading out,” I announce and lean over the couch to kiss her cheek. “Hope has a midnight curfew, so I’ll be home a little after.”

             
“All right. Have fun. And be careful. And responsible.” Mom smacks a kiss on my forehead and combs her fingers through my hair.

             
“I will. I promise.” I hold up three fingers, scout’s honor and she rolls her eyes.

             
“You were never in Boy Scouts,” she says. “They probably would’ve kicked you out.” She laughs at her joke and clears her throat. “Do you have your phone?”

             
“Yes.”

             
“Is it charged?”

             
“Yes, Mom. And the charger’s in the car just in case.” I open the door and almost make it outside.

             
“Mace?”

             
I sigh and turn around. “Yeah?” God, please don’t let her ask me if I have condoms. It’s not like she doesn’t know I have an active sex life, but I still don’t want to talk about it with her. Especially when it comes to Hope.

             
“You look handsome,” Mom says with a proud smile.

             
I grin and step back into the room to give her one more kiss. “Thanks. Love you.”

             
“Love you too.
Be safe
. And you know what I mean,” she calls as I shut the door behind me. I was so close. She just had to get that in there. Tonight is not about sex. Not that I don’t want to make love to Hope again, because it’s all I think about, but tonight is about spending time with her away from school and her house. However, I pull my wallet out at the car and verify that I do have protection, just in case. I shake my head. I am not getting with Hope in the back of my mom’s car. Though that image is now in my head.

             
I rub my face and take a deep breath. And then another. I start to put the key in the ignition and notice my hands are shaking. At this point I’m not sure if it’s my nerves or anticipation. Maybe a little of both. Or a lot of both. I get the next six hours with Hope. Alone.

30

Hope

“He’s early,” I exclaim. Annie pushes me back down on the computer chair and continues to curl my hair. She’s been working on it for the past forty minutes and I have to admit it looks pretty good. I decided I’ve spent too much time hiding. I want to look nice for Mason. For our first date.

             
“Oh, my God. Look at you smiling,” Annie says. She grins as she runs her fingers through my hair, loosening the curls. “Mason Patel is your bitch Kryptonite.”

             
I don’t even respond. Because she’s right. Mason makes me happy.

             
Annie folds a tissue in front of my face expectantly. “Blot.”

             
Guy peeks his head in the door as I press my lips around the tissue. His eyebrows jump up and he smirks. “Your date is here.”

             
“I know. He’s early. Go entertain him for me. I just have to change and I’ll be down.”

             
Guy nods. “You look nice,” he says, his hand circling around his face. “Different, but good.”

             
“Thanks.”

             
“Nice? She looks amazing,” Annie says insulted. She hands me the sundress that’s hung in my closet, untouched, since Jenny bought it for me last year. I never even thought about wearing it until today. First of all, it’s white and I’m not really the white dress type, but it’s also shorter than any dress I’ve ever been willing to wear. Plus, it’s a dress and I just don’t do dresses unless it’s a special occasion. I decided tonight is special.

             
Annie shoos Guy and closes the door. I go to our bathroom to change, not wanting her to see my scars. I really don’t want to go there tonight. As soon as I open the door, she squeals and shoves her hot pink flats at me. “Wear these. You look so pretty. Mason’s not going to recognize you.”