Before I could stall for a few more minutes, Branna took my arm and pulled me from the bathroom and down the stairs. I pulled my arm free from Branna's hold, and was about to tell her off when I caught sight of Gavin and had to stop myself from gasping.
He had on grey jeans, a black tee, and a black coat. His hair was gelled upwards; I liked it because you could completely see his face with that style. I realised I was staring when Branna elbowed me in the side.
"Say somethin'," she grumbled.
I quickly cleared my throat. "Hey, Gav."
He flicked his eyes up from my chest and gave me a dazzling smile. "Hey, you look gorgeous."
I flushed.
"Awe," Branna cooed. "I told her the same thing, but she doesn't believe me."
What the hell did she just say? Was she trying to embarrass me?
"I'll just have to remind her often tonight then just how gorgeous she is," Gavin smiled and winked, making me stare at him in a trance.
Seriously, how did I not notice him growing up?
I heard the hall door open and close and alarm shot through me. Who the hell was that and how did the person get in so easily? I had no idea why, but when I glanced over my shoulder and saw the body of a man, I shrieked and jumped in Gavin's direction. His arms went around my waist, and my head went to his throat.
"It's just Ryder!" Branna shouted over my screaming.
I pulled my head from Gavin's neck and looked at the man again. Sure enough Ryder stood in the hallway with his eyebrows raised and pizza boxes in his hands and a key in his mouth.
"Really? You find me so ugly that you scream and run for cover?" he mumbled around the key.
Branna snorted at him, and even Gavin chuckled.
I composed myself before glaring at Ryder. "I didn't know it was you, did I? Since when do you have a key to me house?"
I knew I was supposed to be nice to him but having him around was taking some getting used to. No man that Branna was ever seeing was in the house when I was at home. I didn't think she actually ever brought one home, so it was weird that Ryder was coming and going like he owned the place the past few days.
"Since this mornin' when I gave him one," Branna said to me, slightly glaring.
I glared right back at her. "Well, you should have let me know. I live here too, you know?"
Her shoulders slumped a little, and her glare vanished. "Right, I'm sorry. I guess I forgot."
I nodded to her then looked to Ryder, who was looking at Gavin.
"This is Gavin-"
"We've met." Ryder cut me off, still staring at Gavin.
They met?
"When did you meet?" I asked.
"The meeting a few weeks ago when he and Dominic got into it in school," Ryder cut me off again and continued to look at Gavin.
I widened my eyes a little; I had forgotten all about that meeting.
Crap.
This was turning out to be very awkward, and we hadn't even left the house yet.
"So… you two, huh?" Ryder asked Gavin.
I felt Gavin shrug. "We're goin' on a date so yeah, I guess so."
Ryder flicked his eyes to me but didn't say anything.
"I'm going to dish up the pizza, babe," he said to Branna, then looked back to me and Gavin. "Have a great time."
"Thanks," Gavin and I said in unison.
Silence fell then, and luckily Gavin cleared his throat breaking it.
"We better go, the film starts at half eight."
I nodded my head and said bye to Ryder - who headed into the kitchen - and Branna - who was bouncing on her toes - as I left the house with Gavin.
"I'm… I'm so sorry about… whatever the hell that was back there," I said when Gavin and I neared his car.
At least I thought it was his car.
"Don't even worry about it. I remember you said in school that Nico's older brother was your sister's boyfriend. I was mentally prepared to see him." Gavin snorted.
I snickered a little too and smiled when he opened the car door for me like a gentleman. I slid inside, buckled my seatbelt, and folded my hands across my lap.
"Me da let me use this car since I don't have one yet. Passed me full drivin' test last week, so he is being very trustin' of me tonight," Gavin said when he got into his side of the car.
I looked at Gavin, my face expressionless. "Please tell me you passed everythin' on your drivin' test with flyin' colours."
He looked me dead in the eye, the corner of his lip curling upwards. "I passed me test with flyin' colours."
I yelped. "I'm goin' to die!"
Gavin cracked up laughing. "I'm a good driver, Bee, no worries. You're safe with me, promise."
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye and smiled a little.
Okay, once we got past the awkwardness in the house, this was a good start to my first date. I was feeling excited now and not nervous at all.
As we drove to the cinema, Gavin and I talked about his football team at school and how hard Mr. Rivers makes the team's training sessions. I honestly couldn't give a hoot about football, but Gavin clearly adored the sport and loved playing it, so I was all ears while he talked. I asked relevant questions here and there making myself appear interested.