I nod before realizing Yvie can’t see me. “She did and she’s raising twin daughters who are six. What else does my son say?”
“That she makes you smile and that one of her daughters really likes you.” Quinn must be talking about Elle because Peyton doesn’t like anyone right now, unless their name is Liam. It makes me feel good that Elle has taken to me. I would never want to replace her dad, but wouldn’t mind being a part of her life. Right now, Elle’s the only one willing to let me in.
“She does make me smile, but she also irritates me so much. I’m afraid to show her the real me because she definitely looks down on all my tattoos and the rejection… I’m not sure I can take any more.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret them.
“Any more?”
I take a deep breath and push my hood off. “I kissed her tonight.”
“That’s good, right?” Yvie sounds too happy. I want to be her kind of happy someday.
“It was, until she pulled away. I moved too fast and probably scared her away.”
“Ah big brother, I’m sure she’ll come around. Once she gets to know you, she won’t be able to resist you. I know that for a fact.”
“Do ya now?” I ask, trying not to laugh at her enthusiasm. “And how’s that?”
“Because you’re the most amazing person I know and anyone would count themselves lucky to be loved by you.”
I can’t help but smile. “I love you, Yvie.”
“I love you too. I gotta go. I’ll call in a few days.”
“Be good.”
“Ha, you’re one to talk. Go snag your lady.”
“You’re funny.”
“I am.” My sister hangs up. I lean back and stare at the ceiling. She’s been studying and working extremely hard to land a lead on Broadway and she’s finally done it and I couldn’t be more proud. Now, if I could get my life in order, maybe the James family can finally be in sync. The only problem with mine is that I haven’t waited a year – the predetermined mourning period according to Cosmo, and now I’m stuck in limbo and don’t know what to do to get out of it. Obviously my kissing powers did nothing for her.
I lean against the closed door. As much as I wanted to slam it and send the message that I’m not interested, I didn’t. My head bangs against the wood in frustration, not because he kissed me, and not because I didn’t pull away the moment his soft lips touched mine; but because I liked it and wanted so much more.
The way he held me to him like I was the most fragile object he’s ever touched? Mason never did that. The way he looked at me like I’m the most fragile being he’s ever seen? I can’t remember if Mason did that. Was it because we started dating so young he didn’t have to learn to be romantic? I know Mason loved me, I’ve never doubted that and I don’t want to compare them, but I can’t help it.
“Who are you looking at?”
“Mason Powell,” I say without taking my eyes from him. The school year has been good to him. He’s gotten bigger, more muscles. It’s hard to believe for only a freshman, well almost a sophomore.
“Why?” Josie asks.
I shrug and close my locker. We have cheerleading try-outs today. I’m not nervous, but I know Josie is. We’ve been waiting all year for this. We missed the try-outs before our school year started so this will be our chance.
“Do you like him?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. He’s cute, don’t you think?”
I follow Josie’s eyes as she looks at him. When she cocks her head to the side, I roll my eyes and pull on her arm, leading us away from the group of football players.
“If you like him, you should ask him out.”
“No way,” I reply as we walk into the gym. “He’ll never go out with me. I’m not his type.”
“Why do you say that?” she asks as we start stretching.
“I’ve seen the way he looks at Candy. She gives all the guys the one thing I’m not willing to.”
Josie shrugs. “Maybe he’ll look at you that way too some day.”
“Yeah maybe, but I’m not willing to put myself out there, ya know? I mean, what if he makes fun of me? He’s this big time football player and everyone says he’s going somewhere. He doesn’t have time to date. He’s probably like those guys we see on those stupid afterschool specials we are forced to watch. He takes the unsuspecting girl on a date, they go parking, nine months later they are expecting and he wants nothing to do with the girl and the whole town hates her.”
“You’re so dramatic, Katelyn. Seriously, if you like him, hint or something.” Josie moves into a split and pops up quickly. “Oh I know, drop your pencil in front of him and bend over, that will surely get his attention.”
“Not going to happen.”